Fingal announces launch of Thatch Project 2022 report

Fingal County Council has announce the launch of the report on the Fingal Thatch Project 2022.

Prepared by Carrig Conservation International on behalf of Fingal Heritage Office, the launch took place in the Casino Malahide, a “beautifully restored thatched building which is of significant historical importance to Fingal’s architectural heritage.”

In a statement, a spokesperson said: “Fingal’s thatched buildings are a physical connection between past and present-day generations and represent a vernacular tradition in which knowledge of building techniques, local materials, skills and craftmanship was passed down along an unbroken chain for centuries.

“As is the case across Ireland, Fingal’s thatched buildings have been in decline since at least the 1950s.

“The Fingal Thatch Project not only documents the County’s surviving thatched building stock but has engaged with the community and custodians of thatched buildings, to better understand the issues that contribute to the loss.

Mayor of Fingal Howard Mahony says that “thatch owners and thatcher’s themselves have contributed photos, and memories and traditions that have been recorded on a digital storymap for future generations.”

“Findings from the project, which are presented in the survey undertaken add to the wider understanding of thatch in Ireland today,” said Fingal Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly.

The report, gazetteer, storymap, videos are available to download and view at https://www.fingal.ie/fingal-thatch-project-and-report.

This project was supported by the Heritage Council and fulfils objectives of the Fingal Heritage Plan 2018-2023.