One Man and his Bridge

Stone Mason Kevin Carrigan talks about his work on Derrybawn Bridge Co.Wicklow. Learn about some of the techniques involved in stone walling and discover the amazing biodiversity that this bridge supports.

Féile na gCloch, the festival of stones, unfurls virtually in 2021 on the 2nd October. Engage with the event whenever suits you via the Galway Heritage website.

Féile na gCloch, festival of stones, is an annual event on Inis Oírr. It brings together practitioners in stone walling, stone carving and letter carving from around the world to celebrate the heritage of the stones of the Aran Islands. In 2017, a new workshop was introduced, to reflect on the role that drawing and sketching plays in each of these traditions.

Festival of Stones

Image: JesseJames.

Feile na gCloch 2017 – The Dry Stone Walls of Inis Oírr

Throughout Feile na gCloch 2017, some sketchers were inextricably drawn to sketching the dry stone walls of Inis Oírr. Sketches by Brenda, Sean and John.

 

 

Feile na gCloch 2017 – anticipated, imagined

Feile na gCloch 2017, anticipated, imagined by Clara and Susan.

 

Feile na gCloch 2017 – Teampall Chaomháin

On Sunday morning of Feile na gCloch 2017, the sketchers congregated in Teampall Chaomháin. Sketches from Susan, Stephen, Pat, Lorraine, Josephine, Chris, Clara, Jesse and John.

Feile na gCloch 2017 – shoreline

On the Thursday afternoon of Feile na gCloch, the sketching group explored the coast line down past Tigh Ned’s. Sketches from Stephen, Pat, Jesse, Chris, Brenda and Josephine.

 

Feile na gCloch – On the Wall

On the Saturday afternoon of Feile na gCloch, the sketching group captured the international community of stone wallers at work creating a new wall for Inis Oírr in 2017.

 

Feile na gCloch – Wrecked

On Friday morning, the Feile na gCloch sketchers went on a pilgrimage to the Plassy shipwreck. Sketches from Brenda, Chris, James, Jesse, John, Pat, Sean, Stephen, Susan.

Feile na cGloch – on the beach

On Friday afternoon of Feile na gCloch, the sketchers explored the area around the beach. Sketches from Brenda, Susan, Chris, James, John, Josephine, Pat and Stephen.

Inishative with John Shaw-Rimmington

Inish less or inish more
Inish either Inish or
I’m glad I’m back in Inisheer
I think I’ll have a local beer
Inish woman Inish man
On the isles of Aran
The first Irish coming here to live
Really had inishative

Flattish roundish
Start to finish
Upish downish
Outish Inish

Beyond the view beyond the sky
Almost as far as sea can eye
Before my strength and health diminish
I must return once more to Inish

Attractive views here and there
You see a tractor everywhere
Walls of grey
On greenish isle
random walls in feidin style

Mudders here. Children there
Tursty tourists everywhere
You needn’t be a power house
To climb up to the tower house

It isn’t such a real big hastle
To catch a view from yonder castle

It’s worth the trip on the ferry
To Lands of walls of bramble berry

Words and Image: John Shaw-Rimmington