What's the origin of the gaps in some stonecut walls?

jkforde

From a blow-in... on me walks around the Menlo I've noticed some of the stone walls around houses have deliberate narrow tapering gaps in them. Anyone know the history behind the tradition? Is it peculiar to the region?.. can't rem seeing it anywhere else

bonzodog2

I can't comment on the history per se, but if they are what I think you are referring to, its to allow people to squeeze through, but keep livestock in. I don't think its peculiar to the region.

ronnie3585

Erosion?

galwayrush

Out my way, it's usually vandalism.:p

Seriously, post 2 is correct.

bonzodog2

bonzodog2 wrote: »

I can't comment on the history per se, but if they are what I think you are referring to, its to allow people to squeeze through, but keep livestock in. I don't think its peculiar to the region.

This and sometimes there is a right of way through a field - rather than putting in a gate that could be left open, these were put in.

RDM_83 again

presume what your talking about are stiles

jkforde

Thanks for the replies. The gaps that I've noticed are built into the wall facing the public road, nearly always beside the driveway gate, almost just as a decorative feature (although I suppose handy if cattle are routinely driven down the road). Anyhows, it's a feature in walls around houses that I hadn't noticed elsewhere

bonzodog2

There was one of these on the roadside stone wall of a graveyard near where I once lived, down in the south of Co Limerick