School: Boitheach (roll number 1238)
- Location:
- Boyagh, Co. Donegal
- Teacher: Aodh Ó Dochartaigh
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1100, Page 226
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- XML School: Boitheach
- XML Page 226
- XML “Thatching”
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- The art of thatching is still carried on in this district. Years ago the number of thatchers were more numerous but now the number is gradually dying away.
The decline in the number of thatchers is caused by building new houses with slated roofs.
Wheat straw is usually used for thatching, but before the house is thatched the straw has to be cleaned. The thatcher takes a bundle of straw and fastened it by rods. Before beginning he has to clear away all the decayed thatch.
He thatches in spars beginning at the eve. Every spar being a foot wide.
The thatcher continues his work putting on layer after layer of straw, until he gets to the top. The thatching is done in such a way that none of sticks are seen.
The most difficult part is the joining of the spars. A good thatcher can join the spars so that no one can see it from the ground(continues on next page)
