A pilot project to revive the ancient craft skills needed to maintain historic monuments and buildings is being expanded across the island of Ireland, and is reported on by The Irish Examiner.
image: for illustration purposes only – IHBC Context
… a new generation of craftspeople at a time of concern over a widening skills shortage…
The Irish Examiner writes:
The bursary scheme initially saw six students undergo an almost year-long training course in Northern Ireland to learn the stone masonry, thatching, metal forging and woodworking techniques required for heritage restoration work.
The NVQ training was supported by the Prince’s Foundation education charity and delivered by the Historic Environment Division of Stormont’s Department of Communities….
Impressed by this success, the Prince’s Foundation, collaborating with the Allchurches Trust, has now committed to extend the bursary scheme in Northern Ireland….
The depot houses a blacksmith’s forge, stone-cutting workshops and woodworking rooms that are used in the never-ending efforts to preserve and restore the region’s physical history.
It also serves as a store for a wide range of different types of stone and rock used in the restoration projects….
Louis Emmett, 52, had spent his working life as a bricklayer before entering the bursary scheme.
The Belfast man now works full time at the heritage depot and, like the other craftspeople who secured jobs there, is about to undergo further training that will enable him to teach the skills to the next intake of students….
Philip O’Neill, head of State Care Operations for Historic Environment Division, said the pilot had brought through a new generation of craftspeople at a time of concern over a widening skills shortage in the heritage sector….
Ben McCabe, who is originally from Co Cavan, will lead the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme for The Prince’s Foundation….
A spokesperson for the Heritage Council said: “At the Heritage Council we believe that it is crucial to preserve the knowledge and skills that embodies many of our traditional building skills and crafts and which have shaped our built environment….”
