Ennistymon stonemason shares his passion for the craft

IF YOU have an eye for Clare’s traditional architecture, the chances are you have spotted some of the work of North Clare craftsman, Eóin Madigan.

A sixth generation stonemason from Ennistymon, Eóin has been the main contractor on conservation projects including the O’Brien Column in Liscannor; the Lightkeeper’s Cottage at Loop Head; the Vandeleur Mausoleum in Kilrush; as well as the historic lime kilns in Kilmurry and Tuamgraney.

Thanks to a prestigious fellowship award, Eóin has honed his craft and is enthusiastic about handing on the skills and knowledge needed to protect Ireland’s built heritage.

In 2014, Eóin was awarded a William Morris Craft Fellowship from The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).

The prestigious fellowship involved a six-month tour of the UK involving site, workshop and studio visits, allowing him to work alongside master craftsmen on heritage projects.

The fellowship aimed to foster a new generation of outstanding craftsmen and women and to prepare them to lead and manage historic building contracts.

“This gave me the opportunity to work with and learn from Master Craftspeople from Ireland and the UK on major conservation projects,” Eóin outlined.

“This year I have been selected as an Irish representative on the judging panel for the SPAB Craftsperson of the year award. This award will recognise upcoming craftspeople, working with traditional materials and old buildings across the UK and Ireland.”

Almost six years after the fellowship award, Eóin is preparing to share his skills with homeowners, students, conservation professionals and masons through a series of craft workshops in Ennistymon.

“I am passionate about the conservation of our built heritage and in particular the passing on of the necessary traditional knowledge and skills,” he said.

Eóin has already been doing this important work countrywide, working on projects including De Burgh’s Pyramid Mausolea in Kildare, Lifford Courthouse in Donegal, and Pat Randall’s Bridge in Mayo.

Eóin has also delivered training workshops and talks for the Building Limes Forum, the OPW, Follies Trust Ireland, SPAB Ireland, Engineers Ireland, Kerry Education and Training Board (ETB), Ulster Architectural Heritage, Historic England and Historic Environment Scotland.

On Friday, April 29, he will launch the first of a series of local workshops in association with Hometree Charity, Ardnaculla, Ennistymon, an organisation that conserves native Irish woodlands.

Commending Eóin on the initiative, Shóna O’Keefe, chairperson SPAB Ireland, said the workshops would enable knowledge of conservation methods to be shared more widely.

“We are delighted to hear that Eóin is now developing a craft training programme to share his wealth of knowledge, with the objective being to empower homeowners, upskill craftspeople interested in conservation and introducing students to the possibilities of apprenticeships,” she said.

“SPAB Ireland are delighted to see this initiative in Ireland, which supports our own endeavours in raising awareness of traditional craft skills, and we offer our support and encouragement to Eoin in this venture.

“Eoin is an engaging and informative teacher, with a breadth of knowledge and a clear passion for his subject.

“He has led many high-quality workshops and training events for SPAB Ireland, for a mixture of skilled and unskilled participants, all of whom thoroughly enjoyed the events.

“We are confident that Eoin’s training course will be useful and enjoyable to homeowners, professionals and anyone with an interest in traditional craft skills.”

More information is available by email to madigantraditionalmasonry@gmail.com or by phoning 085-7679753.