Irish Stone Walls: History, Building, Conservation.
Author: McAFEE, Patrick.
Dublin: O’Brien Press, 2003 (reprint). 176 pages. Illustrated. Hardback.
Ireland has a rich heritage of building with stone, which has left its mark on the landscape, society and culture. Irish stonemasons had their own language, known as Bearlager na Saor, and many stone buildings carry masons’ marks and surface finishes that identify the workman involved and enable the building to be dated. Stoneworking is a skill that is passed from generation to generation - Patrick McAfee was apprenticed to his father and his own son will continue the tradition. It is his hope that Irish Stone Walls will introduce many more to the fascinating history and techniques of this ancient craft.
A unique history and `how to’ book on one of Ireland’s most distinctive landscape features - the stone wall.
The Irish countryside is a patchwork of over 250,000 miles of stone wall. Built from local stone according to the style of each region - such as the dry stone techniques associated with the west and the Mourne Mountains - these walls are an intrinsic part of the landscape. This unique guide by expert stonemason Patrick McAfee covers the history of this ancient tradition, giving illustrated examples and step-by-step instructions on using lime mortars and on constructing, conserving and repairing stone walls of all types - whether dry stone or mortar.
The ideal book for amateur and expert stoneworkers, conservationists, architects and all who wish to know more about the tradition of stone walling.
ISBN: 0862784786