West Cork Stone Symposium

04/03/2024

Dry Stone Walling workshop with the fabulous Karl Kennedy coming up! 📢🚨

Workshop coming up in April in West Cork

https://www.dswai.ie/training

Event Dates:
April 20th & 21st , 2024

Event Time:
9:30 am - 4:30pm

Event Location:
Boothill

Learn how to build, maintain, and repair dry stone walls at our Introduction to Dry Stone Walling 2-day course on April 20th and 21st near Durrus, Co Cork.

This is a 2-day practical course held in conjunction with our training partners The National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS). Tickets are for both days at it is a full 2-day programme.

Dates: Saturday April 20th and Sunday April 21st – 9.30am – 4.30pm both days.
Cost: 2-Day tickets available for €130
Location: Boothill, Dunbeacon, Durrus, Co.Cork P75 WT38
Lead Tutor: Karl Kennedy (0873998323)
Wall type: Freestanding double dry stone wall

Course Content:
Learn the basic skills of dry stone walling.
Promoting an awareness of the craft of dry stone building in Ireland.
Hands-on training on how to maintain and repair your walls.
The benefits of walls on the farm.

Included: Lunches will be provided for participants on both days.
Teas & Coffees provided.
Secure off-street parking

Please note: Bring outdoor clothes and rain gear.
ESSENTIAL TO WEAR SAFETY BOOTS. Safety gloves will be provided.

For more info on the Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland – see www.dswai.ie – or Contact Ken on 0876076762

27/03/2020

Abarta Heritage has come up with a brilliant way for you to engage with stone while you self-quarantine.

If you have a printer, why not take on the challenge of restoring Ireland's high crosses to their former painted glory?

Muiredach’s High Cross at Monasterboice is one of Europe’s finest examples of early medieval art, we’ve created a colouring book page so you can add your own flourish to this wonder of Irish history.

13/03/2020

Thanks to everyone for being so understanding about our cancellation of the West Cork Stone Symposium 2020.

All refunds have now been processed and payments will arrive back into your accounts over the next 5 days.

Thanks again for your support.

11/03/2020

We are sad to announce that we have had to cancel the West Cork Stone Symposium 2020.

Given the evolving situation in relation to Covid-19 (Coronavirus), we need to minimise risk to our community, our guests, and our tutors and limit any pressure our gathering might put on health services.

We had looked forward to welcoming visitors from Ireland, Europe and beyond next weekend, but it would not be sensible for us to create a situation that puts a group of people from a wide range of regions working so closely together given current health guidelines. (The photo we are sharing here give a sense of what is brilliant about the festival and why social distancing would not work at the symposium in the way it might at other events).

If you have booked, we will be in touch shortly with a cancellation notice and details about refund arrangements.

If you have booked accommodation locally we would strongly encourage you to continue with your visit. The quiet beauty of the Sheep's Head peninsula has always had huge appeal. Today we can add that its walking trails offer you some of the best opportunities for blissful social distancing you will find anywhere.

Huge thanks to our committee - Victor Daly (our director), The Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland and the Sheep's Head & Bantry Tourism Cooperative (Living the Sheep's Head Way) and the community in Durrus for the voluntary work that has already gone into our event.

Slán - until next year!

10/03/2020

Our small Symposium should be 10 days away, but we are keeping a close eye on public health advice and will update as soon as possible on any changes or cancellations necessary to support the health of our attendees & community.

09/03/2020

The West Cork Stone Symposium is a small gathering of creative and practical people with a passion for working with natural materials.
Https://westcorkstonesymposium.com

The West Cork Stone Symposium celebrates stone as part of our environment and as a source of inspiration throughout the ages Come to the symposium to be inspired by a rugged coastline that’s home to one of Ireland’s most creative communities. Discover how stone has shaped our lives and imaginati...

08/03/2020

We work hard each year to draw more women into stonecraft, as pupils at our workshops and tutors on our courses. On we champion Women in Trades Network Ireland - working year-round to draw women into male-dominated trades in Ireland.

"The help I have received through Women In Trades Network Ireland has been so valuable to me. My confidence has grown enough to pursue my apprenticeship."

07/03/2020

The Sheep's Head peninsula is a wonderful place to meet creative people and learn skills that have withstood centuries of change.
Https://westcorkstonesymposium.com

05/03/2020

Just one place remaining on our one-day blacksmith course offered by Pat O'Driscoll & Sons Ironworks as part of this year's West Cork Stone Symposium!
Places are limited for dry stone walling and stone carving courses too, so book now to be part of it!
https://westcorkstonesymposium.com/

Fire up your creativity with a one-day blacksmith course at the West Cork Stone Symposium in Durrus on the Sheep's Head peninsula.

04/03/2020

Dry stone walls are officially recognised as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ireland. But the skills that make them part of our landscape's fabric are in danger of dying out.Meanwhile there are only 12 professional stone carvers in Ireland using only traditional techniques.

Help us take these skills into the future when you sign up for workshops at the Cork Stone Symposium (20-22 March)!

Https://westcorkstonesymposium.com