EU project builds Iron Age Roundhouse

CRAFTSPEOPLE from Germany, Slovakia, Iceland, Cyprus and Britain are learning traditional Irish wood-crafts while building an Iron Age roundhouse at Brigit’s Garden in Roscahill. The reconstruction is part of 'Unlocking Hidden Heritage’, an EU-funded scheme involving innovative projects in a number of countries. Athenry-based woodworker Steven Burke is leading the team, and the project was brought to the West of Ireland by Jerry Hawe of Silviron woodland management in Castlebar.This type of roundhouse was built on crannógs and was a typical dwelling house in Celtic times. It is constructed from oak poles set in the ground in a circle, which are woven with split hazel to make wattle walls. The roof is made of ash poles and is thatched with reeds. “We are very interested to see how people lived here in Ireland,” said participant Gudlaug Vilbogadottir, who works for the Architectural Heritage Board in Iceland. “We have few trees in Iceland, so our traditional houses were made of stones and turf.”The roundhouse will provide .....................