Rebuild Stonewalls Fence

grayh0und

G'day. We've recently moved back to a family farm in Kerry. We have some beautiful old stonewalls around the farm that are in various stages of disrepair. I know they're only going to get worse with time and I would love to get some of them built back up to their original glory.

Any idea where I would go to find a contractor available to do this? Any idea on expected costs?

I tried (and failed) to rebuild some sections but found I was doing more harm than good!

Chisler2

A good first move would be for you to become a member of DSWAI (Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland). Online join-up is an option and the website has a diary of stone walling events throughout the year (recently we had well-attended stone walling festivals in Mountcharles Donegal and Mulranny County Mayo which are led by stone masons experienced in traditional dry-stone walling construction. Membership gives the possibility of learning something of this wonderful craft yourself so you can maintain your walls, and access to the members' list from which you can locate masons in your area.



Traditional dry-stone walling involves skill and time and is expensive which is a stimulant to learning the craft so you can keep your walls in repair when your mason rebuilds.



YouTube is a source of general practical information on dry-stone walling but its application is limited as far as Irish field-walls are concerned. Here, the styles and the stone available differ significantly in different parts of the island.


I wish you all success. These beautiful stone field-walls are a joy and unfortunately an increasingly-neglected aspect of our heritage.

grayh0und

Thanks a lot. I worry with 101 other things to do on the farm I'll never have the time to dedicate to rebuilding myself. I suppose this is sadly common and the reason why they're increasingly neglected as you said. I think the best option is finding local masons in Kerry. Possible to find these without joining the DSWAI?

Chisler2

Advertise in the local newspaper? Enquire of neighbours? No fast solution unfortunately as this is one of the skills which has practically died out. Stonemasons with experience and interest in rebuilding field-walls are rare as hens'-teeth and any farmer with the know-how has enough to do caring for their own walls.

longgonesilver

Dry stone walls are very specialised, field ditches are easier. Terms differ depending on region. Put up some pictures of your walls and your best efforts of repair, and I will try to help you.

KatyMac

Is there any training centre near you? I did a weekend course with an organic centre in Co Leitrim. We learned the basics by taking apart a wall and rebuilding it. That was probably 13/14 year ago but every year since I set in to fixing a bit of the walls. On my own I will probably never finish it, but if you can get the general idea how to do it you will learn as you go then.

temujinhayes

The Irish National Heritage Park in Ferrycarrig Wexford run these type of courses. I did one with Pat Hickey, it was amazing. Can't remember the website, but I met two others on it and we have all helped each other out, no money just trading time- best way to go!