Donegal county council has appealed for traditional “rope thatchers” to come forward to help save traditional cottages and indigenous crafts.
A dedicated thatch repair grant scheme remains open until March 8. However, heritage officers have highlighted a shortage of people with the traditional skills needed to repair roofs.
A recent audit revealed there were more than 300 thatched buildings across Co Donegal. However, there was serious concern over a decline in numbers, particularly in Inishowen. Almost one in three have been lost with a further 10% in poor condition.
Donegal heritage officer Joseph Gallagher said there was also a growing concern over the demise of skills particular to the county.
“Rope thatching is the predominant thatching method in the west and north of the county. Originally, the thatch would have been held in place by a network of straw ropes that extended from eave to eave via the ridge of the roof and from gable to gable.
“These ropes were then tied to stones or metal pegs projecting at the top of the walls underneath the eaves,” Mr Gallagher said.
He said there was concern that the “indigenous method of Donegal rope thatching” was being replaced by “scollop thatching” and non-traditional styles.
“This iconic form of thatching and the craftsmanship of the rope thatcher are being erased from Co Donegal’s cultural landscape,” he said.
Further information is available by emailing heritage@donegalcoco.ie.
