tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66258593292479065012024-03-28T06:34:37.613+00:00Stone Art BlogAll things creative in the landscape and garden. Stonework, and even some gardening tips and inspiration.Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-36160366764585044042020-03-14T11:16:00.003+00:002020-03-14T11:20:39.405+00:00Stone Art Blog has movedSo my poor old blog has seen some serious neglect. However, I am happy to announce it is getting a revival on my updated website.<br />
I have imported the best of all my old blog posts from over the years and even added a few backdated posts I meant to write about. In fact at the time of writing this notice I have 10 new blog posts added.<br />
Come have a look and 👀 And I promises to get back to blogging a bit more.<br />
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<b>You can find it under the blog heading on my website <a href="https://www.stoneart.ie/" target="_blank">www.stoneart.ie </a>or via the link <a href="https://www.stoneart.ie/blog-2" target="_blank">here</a> <a href="https://www.stoneart.ie/blog-2">https://www.stoneart.ie/blog-2</a></b></h3>
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Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-52762277055146224182016-12-06T13:06:00.001+00:002016-12-06T13:47:19.203+00:00Stone related books for Christmas<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stone related books make great presents for your stone mad friends. Here are a few stone related books I recommend checking out if you are looking for some great christmas presents. Just remember if you're planning on ordering your books online, get ordering soon to be sure you receive them before Christmas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Most of the links provided have free worldwide shipping. Some of the books need to be ordered from the artist's direct but I have added these links also. The prices I have shown are correct as of time of writing this post.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So in no particular order here are my recommendations for Christmas 2016:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A Legacy in Stone… The Artistry of Andreas Kunert</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Andreas Kunert is a stone artist based in Victoria, Canada. He has a substantial and impressive portfolio of work. Much of his work has gone completely viral on the internet, popping up all over the place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This book is a lovely catalogue of much of his work and a great addition to your bookshelf. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Order this book <a href="http://www.ancientartofstone.com/a-legacy-in-stone-the-artistry-of-andreas-kunert/" target="_blank">here</a> through the artists website </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="http://www.ancientartofstone.com/a-legacy-in-stone-the-artistry-of-andreas-kunert/" target="_blank">http://www.ancientartofstone.com/a-legacy-in-stone-the-artistry-of-andreas-kunert/</a> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Price $45.00 plus P&P</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Andy Goldsworthy Project</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Andy Goldsworthy's beautiful ephemeral artworks have been rendered timeless in numerous photographic records. This book deals with Goldsworthy's work in nearly twenty years, and underscores the artists permanent output since 1984.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Many of his great stone creations are in this book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A lovely chunky coffee table book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Click on the link below to buy with free worldwide shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Price: €33.44 (including shipping and 20% off via the link below)</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/qakfyka" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>http://tinyurl.com/qakfyka</b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Andy Goldsworthy : Enclosure</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Reflecting Goldsworthy's lifelong interest in the landscape of the British Isles, its history, and the people who work on it, Enclosure is a collection of ephemeral work that relates to sheep, including many of his dry stone enclosures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A lovely chunky coffee table book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Click on the link below to buy with free worldwide shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Price: €33.99 (including shipping and 43% off via the link below)</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/jt38a4u" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>http://tinyurl.com/jt38a4u</b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Stone by Design: The Artistry of Lew French</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">More than 125 gorgeous photographs showcase the beauty of award-winning stonemason Lew French's work in eight different homes, illustrating how rounded fieldstone, gray slate, rough granite, and even curvy driftwood can be incorporated into stunning pieces of functional art. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I did a blog post on his work a while back which you can read <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2010/03/stone-master-lew-french.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Click on the link below to buy with free worldwide shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Price: €29.37 (including shipping via the link below)</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/n3r8cch" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>http://tinyurl.com/n3r8cch</b></span></a></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lew French's new book</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Released just this summer, this second book on Lew French's most recent designs includes works like the huge outdoor water feature at an office building near Boston. A residential landscape on Chappaquiddick, as well as his own retreat home in the mountains of Brazil. Also featured are his framed art pieces, puzzled together from rock and driftwood</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Fans of natural building and all kinds of masonry will be more than impressed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I did a blog post on his work a while back which you can read <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2010/03/stone-master-lew-french.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Click on the link below to buy with free worldwide shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Price: €24.90 (including shipping and 11% off via the link below)</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/j6hll2h" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">http://tinyurl.com/j6hll2h</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></span></span><br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b><b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dan Snow: Listening to Stone</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Listening to Stone is Dan Snows follow up to his first book In the Company of Stone. In this second book Dan once again proves that he is not just one of America's premier artisans, but also one of our most articulate voices on the natural world and our relationship to it. Peter Mauss's tactile photographs of Snow's artistry are matched by the artisan's quietly compelling prose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Click on the link below to buy with free worldwide shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Price: €18.97 (including shipping and 11% off via the link below)</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/o9ztlq7" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>http://tinyurl.com/o9ztlq7</b></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Complete Pebble Mosaic Handbook</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maggy Howarth is one of the world's foremost pebble mosaic experts, known for the innovative traditional and contemporary designs she has used to create outdoor mosaics around the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This new edition is updated, revised and expanded by 32 pages to incorporate many new inspirational designs from the author's studio, Cobblestone Designs, including an experiment in 3-D, spirals and roundels, and large mosaic designs for community spaces. There is also a special section that explores pebble mosaics as a decorative art throughout history.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The book provides practical step-by-step instructions for creating mosaics using traditional and modern materials, tools and techniques. The 400 beautiful color photographs and illustrations offer inspiration and make this a stunning how-to book and wish-book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Click on the link below to buy with free worldwide shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Price: €31.39 (including shipping and 6% off via the link below)</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/hv8kg29" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>http://tinyurl.com/hv8kg29</b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Corbelled Domes</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkN2mNwNuS28S80sJU6G1VPGtq1HOzJES5i0Un5hvmNBXIP7eeWvxnTCnPpAPMUHwrsqp98BpwhXgSDQ1mjqZVvHbyOuGMcwnwujuWbEfWlTuGW-5icRFIneTzzspTZLXr7emPZp1wno/s1600/9783863352745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkN2mNwNuS28S80sJU6G1VPGtq1HOzJES5i0Un5hvmNBXIP7eeWvxnTCnPpAPMUHwrsqp98BpwhXgSDQ1mjqZVvHbyOuGMcwnwujuWbEfWlTuGW-5icRFIneTzzspTZLXr7emPZp1wno/s320/9783863352745.jpg" width="297" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Corbelled domed structures are both fascinating and ancient in technique. The process of corbeling has remained unchanged for thousands of years. The proof of this is that many of these ancient structures still stand today, a testament to their solid construction method. Renate Lobbecke has been tracking down such structures for over 25 years. On her travels in 15 countries she has captured photographs depicting this unique phenomenon of designed nature."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Definitely recommend this one. You can find it in the link below with free worldwide shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Price: €45.03 (including shipping and 6% off via the link below)</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/mdt57ag" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>http://tinyurl.com/mdt57ag</b></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Stone : A Legacy and Inspiration for Art</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ls0c3Zj9dL3uh7TFOrkhzyGi1cMx7Zb34tLTeaVgM0LW_dcKVN9tAJXtesqxs4otAEMSDbJNQU5CZcP_kkBtEsTnc1RmBjJMHag_zWQIKd3LR2Zjtjbet6jtqX8zFxGo7rnr1flRNe0/s1600/51CbgnPw2AL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ls0c3Zj9dL3uh7TFOrkhzyGi1cMx7Zb34tLTeaVgM0LW_dcKVN9tAJXtesqxs4otAEMSDbJNQU5CZcP_kkBtEsTnc1RmBjJMHag_zWQIKd3LR2Zjtjbet6jtqX8zFxGo7rnr1flRNe0/s320/51CbgnPw2AL.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stone: A Legacy and Inspiration for Art is a beautiful, visually stimulating book, exploring the delights of contemporary stone sculpture and stone carving. Stone is a major resource and inspiration for artists, craft-workers, and scholars in many areas, and also has huge attraction for a wider public, given its high visual impact, dramatic footage and timely re-evaluation of often hidden professions. Stone offers an introduction to the traditional techniques of stone carving and reviews methods of extraction that are dying out. The authors traveled worldwide learning, interviewing and photographing these unique processes. The photographs in this book show the stunning results. The book then goes on to look at the work of crafts people today in contemporary stone sculpture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Click on the link below to buy with free worldwide shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Price: €25.40 (including shipping and 13% off via the link below)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="http://tinyurl.com/hrue564" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/hrue564</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Art of Letter Carving in Stone</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6Wu4faflNXKyLWFurHb7ohwX_juFQlzaTpHQpwH8sWxwyDbrIMIHSsLb8sfZ2RpwUaovpH28ad9FK_NNM4lCyukirRzgg38-sUO1IV4ReWZf5Gt4jIfyGqkG3l2NY_6Qarm-s8plKrE/s1600/9781861268792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6Wu4faflNXKyLWFurHb7ohwX_juFQlzaTpHQpwH8sWxwyDbrIMIHSsLb8sfZ2RpwUaovpH28ad9FK_NNM4lCyukirRzgg38-sUO1IV4ReWZf5Gt4jIfyGqkG3l2NY_6Qarm-s8plKrE/s320/9781861268792.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"The Art of Letter Carving in Stone" portrays the beauty of this age-old craft alongside practical instruction. Written by an eminent practitioner and teacher, it guides the novice through the basics of letter carving, drawn lettering and making simple designs, and for the more experienced it explains a new proportioning system for classical Roman capitals and demonstrates a useful approach to designing letterform variations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A great book for those who carve stone or wish to begin carving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Click on the link below to buy with free shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Price: €21.65 (including shipping and 31% off via the link below)</b></span></div>
<b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/j23gong" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/j23gong</a></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Irish Stone Walls: History, Building, Conservation by Pat McAfee</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBabpn457JqriWh_g2HNabroBX9jGlBXag7KXrcvMBPrbN4NMQPTKDHgPK5P7Hc-9CzF-Xvwur13Eaz-0eYP4SvbSUszDz3yGVCoE5HlC_IMF6zC1WSkJW8z9Gy16b3c0jA3iH8Lq0yng/s1600/9781847172341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBabpn457JqriWh_g2HNabroBX9jGlBXag7KXrcvMBPrbN4NMQPTKDHgPK5P7Hc-9CzF-Xvwur13Eaz-0eYP4SvbSUszDz3yGVCoE5HlC_IMF6zC1WSkJW8z9Gy16b3c0jA3iH8Lq0yng/s1600/9781847172341.jpg" width="297" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A unique history and 'how to' book on one of Ireland's most distinctive landscape features - the stone wall. The Irish countryside is a patchwork of over 250,000 miles of stone wall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A great little book on Irish stone walls. By the great Irish waller Pat McAfee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Book depository have a great 18% off deal on this book at the moment so its just over €14 with free worldwide shipping. See link below</span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/qy2l4hv" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>http://tinyurl.com/qy2l4hv</b></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Dry Stone Walling. A Practical Guide</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivo9vrzl411NuEkpsKspMmRi4tsr5zsVFSFDuvWd9oyzSX9oyU5Nq5Z-ZbfMZyx0UIOOJCNOMdK01FlPM5EkIE3A44tLPzLiiXLK14urWUUTP1RYso4KsPu4o_PiGvaybczC7tlBGjKp0/s1600/IMG_00000456-400x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivo9vrzl411NuEkpsKspMmRi4tsr5zsVFSFDuvWd9oyzSX9oyU5Nq5Z-ZbfMZyx0UIOOJCNOMdK01FlPM5EkIE3A44tLPzLiiXLK14urWUUTP1RYso4KsPu4o_PiGvaybczC7tlBGjKp0/s1600/IMG_00000456-400x400.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dry Stone Walling. A Practical Guide</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">by Alan Brooks and Sean Adcock</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">159 pages </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A4 paperback, wiro-bound </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">391 illustrations, by Linda Francis and Elizabeth Agate</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Dry stone walling is one of the most ancient building techniques, used worldwide where stone outcrops at the earth's surface. Britain's varied geology has produced a wide range of building styles, which demonstrate the waller's skill in making the best use of the locally available stone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Price: £12.95 plus P&P via the link below</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/j644xkz" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>http://tinyurl.com/j644xkz</b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>How to Build Dry-Stacked Stone Walls : Design and Build Walls, Bridges and Follies Without Mortar</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodXdDuhKOsPeJonn41TdjpgQSugIYklBQJhRmoFOjdNyynTpbLzaG0fiomTeidSUURIVIOvxbhoLkd73ZPCZgzvhiECE4hp7ZmDMTr7Lcs-gMULKYrvTy7VO-cp3oIJQZ3iqaJNf_EHs/s1600/9781770857094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodXdDuhKOsPeJonn41TdjpgQSugIYklBQJhRmoFOjdNyynTpbLzaG0fiomTeidSUURIVIOvxbhoLkd73ZPCZgzvhiECE4hp7ZmDMTr7Lcs-gMULKYrvTy7VO-cp3oIJQZ3iqaJNf_EHs/s320/9781770857094.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Author John Shaw-Rimmington explains how to build a dry stacked stone wall, coursed walling, bridges, follies and more. He explains the important principles that contribute to the structural integrity of each. He covers all of the essential elements of dry stone building: * Design; * The foundation; * Packing or backfilling within the wall; * Slope of a wall face, an 'A' profile provides stability; * Bridge stones that span the width of the wall; * Coping, the top stones of a wall; * Weight-bearing stones in an arch, bridge, dome, etc. Shaw-Rimmington then guides the reader through the building process. With dedication to the task and the author's experienced guidance, the only limit is imagination. Click on the link below to buy with free shipping.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Price: €18.86 (including shipping and 23% off via the link below) </span><a href="http://tinyurl.com/hs8cdfa" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/hs8cdfa</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Art of the Stonemason</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGI6_waM737B6IG_Lfj-2VHjXB12qF-RtytvNZE-8AmvS-TQllD6zEVKVWHuYZOUAO_MRAJ-0AxIyVG_zYyd7aChDduo-FSCzlWXK_KsuX2DwYkLmjvWuORZvlN2kt7rUNRi0F_Q2tGM/s1600/9780911469271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGI6_waM737B6IG_Lfj-2VHjXB12qF-RtytvNZE-8AmvS-TQllD6zEVKVWHuYZOUAO_MRAJ-0AxIyVG_zYyd7aChDduo-FSCzlWXK_KsuX2DwYkLmjvWuORZvlN2kt7rUNRi0F_Q2tGM/s1600/9780911469271.jpg" width="296" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A fifth-generation stonemason discusses how to choose stone, build a wall on sloping ground, circular walls, windowsills, fireplaces, stairs, arches and hunchbacked bridges. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A great practical guide to building stone features for anyone with some experience in stone building.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Click on the link below to buy with free shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Price: €20.14 (including shipping via the link below)</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/lxnyfhf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>http://tinyurl.com/lxnyfhf</b></span></a></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Europe’s field boundaries</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45lAR26hc5uR7rPTqN6qmBqGXPmtAi1ELsFDMQ-RmFdLbYttLtiLHXQpJS3Ax_S90qvzX2Skz5uUVWTo0kHxNxLyLyxiKEv-OvemAUhzgOnzFlyKIJexygjIHYOhcJn95X0xTQmCJBXI/s1600/Buchdeckel-Band-2-englisch_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45lAR26hc5uR7rPTqN6qmBqGXPmtAi1ELsFDMQ-RmFdLbYttLtiLHXQpJS3Ax_S90qvzX2Skz5uUVWTo0kHxNxLyLyxiKEv-OvemAUhzgOnzFlyKIJexygjIHYOhcJn95X0xTQmCJBXI/s1600/Buchdeckel-Band-2-englisch_2.jpg" width="247" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Written in two volumes </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Georg Muller has written a most wonderful book called 'Europe's Field Boundaries in 2 volumes. Georg basically spent the last 30 years traveling around Europe surveying dry stone walls, hedged banks etc in most European countries (Ireland, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Croatia, Greece etc etc)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The books have almost 1300 pages and 5000 colour images. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The books are beautifully bound with gold leaf and are a very special collection indeed, they are a real investment and highly recommendable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Information on how to order the books in the link below</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Price for the two volumes together is €289 plus P&P</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.wallhecke.de/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>http://www.wallhecke.de/</b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This is just a few of the great stone related books that are out there. I have lots more book recommendations in the book recommendations section of my blog <a href="http://sunnywiele1.wix.com/stone-art-blog-books" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div>
Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-17123726913840075282016-03-25T19:14:00.002+00:002016-05-15T14:21:23.133+01:00Mosaic inspiration from Barcelona, Spain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In preparation for my first next <a href="http://www.stoneart.ie/#!workshops/c43h" target="_blank">mosaic workshop</a> of 2016, I took a trip to Barcelona, Spain for some mosaic inspiration. Rather than rambling on, I will let the photos speak for themselves. I probably took 100's of photographs during my visit to Barcelona. Below is a selection of them for your viewing pleasure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">My first stop had to be one of </span><a href="http://www.biography.com/people/antoni-gaud%C3%AD-40695#development-as-a-professional-architect" target="_blank">Antonio Gaudi</a>'s greatest works, Park Guell.</div>
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Be sure to click on the photos to get a larger view.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Park Güell</span></b></div>
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Park Guell is one of the most impressive public parks in the world. The park is located in Barcelona and was designed by famous architect Antonio Gaudi.</div>
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Gaudi planned and directed the construction of the park from 1900 to 1914 for Eusebi Guell for a residential park intended for sixty single- family residences.</div>
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The project became city property in 1923. Though never fully completed, it still remains one of Gaudi's most colorful and playful works.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Palau de la Música Catalana</span></b></div>
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The Palau de la Música Catalana was built between 1905 and 1908 by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner as a home for the Orfeó Català, financed by popular subscription.</div>
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The building is designed around a central metal structure covered in glass, which exploits natural light to make the make Domènech i Montaner's masterpiece into a magical music box which brings together all the decorative arts: sculpture, mosaic, stained glass and ironwork.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoVv_BoE3vzxJlS50bqB_no3UqaQRvI7AHo8qPLZFqbDUQ603J0k7oOYOkItw8BSuGpK7SKcHDOoSVsNZmO2RcM3hdjP8DucWSJz6vHpR-5X7H9L2NMBeBWNexZxqj7BnMglCoeF9ViU/s1600/DSC_0483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoVv_BoE3vzxJlS50bqB_no3UqaQRvI7AHo8qPLZFqbDUQ603J0k7oOYOkItw8BSuGpK7SKcHDOoSVsNZmO2RcM3hdjP8DucWSJz6vHpR-5X7H9L2NMBeBWNexZxqj7BnMglCoeF9ViU/s400/DSC_0483.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I could not have finished my trip to Barcelona without a trip to Sagrada Familia. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Sagrada Família</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">La Sagrada Familia is one of Gaudí's most famous works in Barcelona. It's a giant Basilica that has been under construction since 1882 and it's not expected to be completed until 2026. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVcFLzZPAdFYp7bRea8EFck3xAO07vKxKAxNaIJHQQqkvGgns5k_UwbTH08IdzjdO0rasy_olUvOt1lG68yxVoCEujHPx0sauzE3FN7fSKtYqmWAN7TUxLMZ6RX9YOw4V9eKBhP1W01g/s1600/sagra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVcFLzZPAdFYp7bRea8EFck3xAO07vKxKAxNaIJHQQqkvGgns5k_UwbTH08IdzjdO0rasy_olUvOt1lG68yxVoCEujHPx0sauzE3FN7fSKtYqmWAN7TUxLMZ6RX9YOw4V9eKBhP1W01g/s400/sagra.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The cathedral has some nice mosaic features (with much more to come) but for me it is the interior that is a triumph.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijDR73kRRDUrVGIb_c_fugvaQMHFfzkGS95NDK8q72eloKxh6Y0GLTSPITT-tYP84khXYg1BIJLW90A7mSRj_iUUpO1AM-pxjDQ9k_ixYkBLR_FhTrDvDp1U01__P6IELz7sclZUu5fI/s1600/DSC_0189-Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijDR73kRRDUrVGIb_c_fugvaQMHFfzkGS95NDK8q72eloKxh6Y0GLTSPITT-tYP84khXYg1BIJLW90A7mSRj_iUUpO1AM-pxjDQ9k_ixYkBLR_FhTrDvDp1U01__P6IELz7sclZUu5fI/s320/DSC_0189-Panorama.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is worth noting that all three sites visited above are <a href="http://whc.unesco.org/" target="_blank">UNESCO World Heritage Sites</a>, a testament to their significance in the mosaic world.</div>
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<img alt="sunny" height="87" src="https://cdn.evbuc.com/eventlogos/136543068/mosaicclass.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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If this post has inspired you to have a go at creating your own piece of mosaic art, I am running a weekend mosaic workshop at Kinsale Pottery and Arts Centre, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland on August 27th-28th 2016 </div>
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This workshop is open to all levels of experience.</div>
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Learn a new skill and create a piece of art for your home or garden in the process.</div>
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If you have a larger project in mind, and need help getting started, this workshop is a great way to get you started on the right foot.</div>
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The studio sits on the edge of Kinsale town, a touristic gem of west Cork. Bring a packed lunch or head into the town for a bite. Plenty of accommodation available in Kinsale town and surrounding area as well as Cork City itself. A public bus service operates between Cork and Kinsale if traveling without a car.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijY6c04rsEqWsqbimbf5sxr6GKjyb0q-JpyVXgTZBsYvv6YdJ5TjtS8MDxg7dmUfQXa1IeTrLx_iZRrv-twpZM_rxyWi-lahZ0wEetX78doylbKygoaKOmQe0_l15c5KDbJuR13GQcNUk/s1600/poster-workshop-cork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijY6c04rsEqWsqbimbf5sxr6GKjyb0q-JpyVXgTZBsYvv6YdJ5TjtS8MDxg7dmUfQXa1IeTrLx_iZRrv-twpZM_rxyWi-lahZ0wEetX78doylbKygoaKOmQe0_l15c5KDbJuR13GQcNUk/s1600/poster-workshop-cork.jpg" /></a></div>
<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">What does the workshop involve?</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Workshop will involve:</span></div>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #666666; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 15.84px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px;">
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Introduction to mosaicing materials and tools.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Introduction to the design process.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking at different mosaicing processes.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Coming up with a design for your project.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Creating your masterpiece.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Introduction to grouts and grouting</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Grouting and finishing your work of art to take home with you. </span></li>
</ul>
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Weekend workshop is €180 p/p and includes all materials needed. Teas & Coffees also included. Bring a packed lunch. Discounts available for group bookings. See below for details. Limited spaces available. Booking essential.<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"> AN ADDITIONAL 10% EARLYBIRD DISCOUNT ON ALL BOOKINGS IF YOU BOOK BEFORE JUNE30TH (DISCOUNT CODE: saveme10) </span><br />
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Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com1Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain41.3850639 2.173403499999949441.1944764 1.8506799999999495 41.5756514 2.4961269999999494tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-49139769234041118122015-12-13T12:17:00.000+00:002015-12-13T12:17:09.535+00:00The Timekeeper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSulkqM90VA242cptypiRFD7gyv23aieynW8nleK3mQFcZPTyVU9oNYqe-zM727vVpm0CQDB8qKVo9JAg0oykq_5Eh3AX6M390tF4E-fbjWnjZUjDTBQufhTCdHNNAHH70GV136-r3zAs/s1600/DSC_1569z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSulkqM90VA242cptypiRFD7gyv23aieynW8nleK3mQFcZPTyVU9oNYqe-zM727vVpm0CQDB8qKVo9JAg0oykq_5Eh3AX6M390tF4E-fbjWnjZUjDTBQufhTCdHNNAHH70GV136-r3zAs/s400/DSC_1569z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Earlier in the year I was commissioned under the <a href="http://www.publicart.ie/main/commissioning/funding/per-cent-for-art/" target="_blank">Per Cent for Art </a>scheme to create a sculpture for a secondary school in Drogheda Co. Louth. </div>
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The brief was to create a piece to commemorate the transition of the school from its humble
beginnings into the new extensive
extension, the sculpture is based on the subject of the movement of time. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IZpIBd-WkdRr_gMFU8BV7xCoB4rK92uJFMCdMe5bqODxWckxyuqaVkhNXpGWAzGDd-stDkda5L7TCVwroWezLG9jCCc1_3dNqJT2qW7e6MazNnEt6nt9QAhvkCBOnvpWDiVuOBVXZlQ/s1600/DSC_1507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IZpIBd-WkdRr_gMFU8BV7xCoB4rK92uJFMCdMe5bqODxWckxyuqaVkhNXpGWAzGDd-stDkda5L7TCVwroWezLG9jCCc1_3dNqJT2qW7e6MazNnEt6nt9QAhvkCBOnvpWDiVuOBVXZlQ/s400/DSC_1507.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Our history traced through stone.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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The permanence of stone means that much of what we know
about our past has been discovered through examining the stone structures left
behind by our ancestors, from structures and sites of worship to the dry stone
walls that map out the history of the vernacular landscape of our
countryside. In the Drogheda area alone,
more than 5000 years of history can be read through the many stone
structures that cover the landscape
here, spanning from the Neolithic site of <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2011/12/newgrange-and-winter-solstice.html" target="_blank">Newgrange</a> to the Norman beginnings of the town
itself. This Norman heritage is evident in the earliest monument in the town which is
the motte-and-bailey castle, now known as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millmount_Fort" target="_blank">Millmount Fort</a>. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj909UH0LiJSdf3YKn3KO_NVA5dKqttGOOlINiik5pR3X3YZ6CkmPQa5FAjwHHpt8mX9eorxmTbOvJ4x2FVxLZhBjtuJ4tYIatnFEI4ySHywRMH1Bpt26mGKqtdiIy3qW3CnMAxvZHrnOg/s1600/DSC_1421baw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj909UH0LiJSdf3YKn3KO_NVA5dKqttGOOlINiik5pR3X3YZ6CkmPQa5FAjwHHpt8mX9eorxmTbOvJ4x2FVxLZhBjtuJ4tYIatnFEI4ySHywRMH1Bpt26mGKqtdiIy3qW3CnMAxvZHrnOg/s400/DSC_1421baw.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karl sits in the timekeeper's seat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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'The Timekeeper'
sculpture pays tribute to this movement of time, recorded through stone.</div>
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From a distance the large vertical blocks of sandstone take
on the appearance of a Neolithic structure. As you approach, the sundial
element of the sculpture becomes apparent. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsbx01amPmBQbPN2nd4_VnV_P6eJORJmJRuGq5tTwEz16atfTMOBP38I2fq0Lsf1BmZ3BhyphenhyphendoT4-mLde8rO6yKSCeH4Qg_zPVdjdyENAnyJNE95I7vcR7oQP576GxHy36vzYMkSB9KfE/s1600/DSC_1575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsbx01amPmBQbPN2nd4_VnV_P6eJORJmJRuGq5tTwEz16atfTMOBP38I2fq0Lsf1BmZ3BhyphenhyphendoT4-mLde8rO6yKSCeH4Qg_zPVdjdyENAnyJNE95I7vcR7oQP576GxHy36vzYMkSB9KfE/s400/DSC_1575.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3wudN1dTEaoGoF4BAQ_fK92H3caR_lb1SZAF-K0pu3xbTeANBopZHWLACU9nnJ4AdOQqsxvWWGAkMBQqLSltOxdhzzU_JHObLtQWgo3T1iimfJy5O5GYnkCpym8gKgrMZxaRzhT4rQs/s1600/DSC_1463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3wudN1dTEaoGoF4BAQ_fK92H3caR_lb1SZAF-K0pu3xbTeANBopZHWLACU9nnJ4AdOQqsxvWWGAkMBQqLSltOxdhzzU_JHObLtQWgo3T1iimfJy5O5GYnkCpym8gKgrMZxaRzhT4rQs/s400/DSC_1463.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The large angled stone in the centre (gnomon) is angled
parallel to the earth's axis, paying tribute to the first gnomon style sundials invented in the late
1300's. The bars of engineered limestone in the floor along with the relief
carvings of cogs and wheels in the standing stones represent modern time. </div>
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The precision of the
limestone markers highlights the slight fluctuation in the accuracy of the
shadows cast by the Neolithic gnomon as the seasons change. This in turn
highlights the contrast between the rudimentary time mapping of the neoliths
with the sophisticated precision of modern engineered time. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2jv2GCZ126jcwHVtBFlb18LP-31L_4Sr-YFoAFi4nuKmq78ysHiB_1x2wQ37Z-d3mB_abZ4Ex2y_6uXjexyOq65Rj8TAtdf6TRliQtaPNnpROfFp2R9YVZA6dd_8PBwp75TEypyChdM/s1600/DSC_1570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2jv2GCZ126jcwHVtBFlb18LP-31L_4Sr-YFoAFi4nuKmq78ysHiB_1x2wQ37Z-d3mB_abZ4Ex2y_6uXjexyOq65Rj8TAtdf6TRliQtaPNnpROfFp2R9YVZA6dd_8PBwp75TEypyChdM/s400/DSC_1570.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LUelYUYEvs-G7J4xhnqVU81_1PrAxVw5MRsDuB7NcjG9aRH-94kB90TA7t-a9db7wQad307HqUGaqPQS96wx6MXBtxKPo5u0gX6FGZrsNc39p-KeTW_TDXzEwFUSAs0hyphenhyphenNgmNdxrSn4/s1600/DSC_1552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LUelYUYEvs-G7J4xhnqVU81_1PrAxVw5MRsDuB7NcjG9aRH-94kB90TA7t-a9db7wQad307HqUGaqPQS96wx6MXBtxKPo5u0gX6FGZrsNc39p-KeTW_TDXzEwFUSAs0hyphenhyphenNgmNdxrSn4/s400/DSC_1552.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The stone seating area in the courtyard between the old and
new buildings is an extension of the sculpture, with the time capsule
placed under the stone mosaic in the
floor, a symbol of the school's confidence in its future.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-dfL1YKtgaSvdfh4MEaO2Aa4X7P1NRtiXKe-6neOkq-iWPoqG1by3-dDg9R3WCgu8tTHBg4PtJcOLqy7h0WPkxr033NCVnC3SzPs3-R2fHl2pHb0pKI0vpomDMXVkRJQSZ-MKRQ9uSI/s1600/DSC_1520v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-dfL1YKtgaSvdfh4MEaO2Aa4X7P1NRtiXKe-6neOkq-iWPoqG1by3-dDg9R3WCgu8tTHBg4PtJcOLqy7h0WPkxr033NCVnC3SzPs3-R2fHl2pHb0pKI0vpomDMXVkRJQSZ-MKRQ9uSI/s400/DSC_1520v.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykfbS-EC0J94u3pBHIMzew7v2iD35Eo4kaS67NyJ9gJJd0mw587-Tj0xscew2d9RG5VFIbHxQolfppWPxkcg8Cqy-Bqup8Zf4NMi2qVRU496weyE9xcJRKicXK4GJzeIzC8F3YCD9TqQ/s1600/IMG_0830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykfbS-EC0J94u3pBHIMzew7v2iD35Eo4kaS67NyJ9gJJd0mw587-Tj0xscew2d9RG5VFIbHxQolfppWPxkcg8Cqy-Bqup8Zf4NMi2qVRU496weyE9xcJRKicXK4GJzeIzC8F3YCD9TqQ/s400/IMG_0830.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The time capsule being placed under one of Sunny's mosaics </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The stone for this project is sandstone and comes from Drimkeelan
quarry in County Donegal. Drimkeelan
quarry is one of the oldest working quarries in the country. The Abbey of Assaroe
was built in 1180 using this stone, so it is known that quarrying started
around this time. A carved sandstone lamp found in the mines of the quarry
suggests mining could have already started in the middle ages, by Cistercian
monks who had abbeys to build.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitI1cMGJD2pOsO646IlemTJML-GdcSCAFapC6Pibv1R4FIQP_gGxkY9HovdRimwSbXLMRmgYGJ8ex-6c2eGGOa5HCK0p8yaVBMDpSa5xJ03Qd1hbcllMb4n52YqHDp-Oan4gWccDjSsSo/s1600/DSC_0219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitI1cMGJD2pOsO646IlemTJML-GdcSCAFapC6Pibv1R4FIQP_gGxkY9HovdRimwSbXLMRmgYGJ8ex-6c2eGGOa5HCK0p8yaVBMDpSa5xJ03Qd1hbcllMb4n52YqHDp-Oan4gWccDjSsSo/s400/DSC_0219.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shopping for gnomons with quarry owner Brian Kerrigan at <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Drimkeelan quarry</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnt-xBPC5sxgl8Tc7NhEGgn_bvfesp-C6M_QZpdKyX2pffU7pU8mWneHPx_z1XXS9NATaJGt4yelPPhc9nM14uAZ1yCoaZtE9MPLE3IIwr0KyXtdrPdJ4mkJxcqyT4S8HsyStNrD27sc/s1600/DSC_0028-%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnt-xBPC5sxgl8Tc7NhEGgn_bvfesp-C6M_QZpdKyX2pffU7pU8mWneHPx_z1XXS9NATaJGt4yelPPhc9nM14uAZ1yCoaZtE9MPLE3IIwr0KyXtdrPdJ4mkJxcqyT4S8HsyStNrD27sc/s400/DSC_0028-%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the sandstone mines of Drimkeelan during the Tír Ċonaill Stone Festival in 2013. Read more about this <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2014/06/the-birth-of-new-stone-festival-in.html" target="_blank">here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The quarry also supplied stone for famous buildings such as
The National Museum of Ireland, Leinster house(The Dail) and Stormont in
Northern Ireland .</div>
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The piece of white quartzite built into the base of the
gnomon links back to the white quartzite facade of the nearby prehistoric site
of<a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2011/12/newgrange-and-winter-solstice.html" target="_blank"> Newgrange.</a> </div>
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<b>How Sundials Work.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWijt5XzHpRgB6zXB_YLstwtAZXh_c7tk0DZiGESL6Yicacsx5llK5YyFCPvUh88UYWi9iVq-N1OnvOB-xaQrNg_PiixcKOl9E2epKnoOOpAbgb-t3LPRnyk3BiS4HeAXCQ7gRD9RnQA/s1600/axis+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWijt5XzHpRgB6zXB_YLstwtAZXh_c7tk0DZiGESL6Yicacsx5llK5YyFCPvUh88UYWi9iVq-N1OnvOB-xaQrNg_PiixcKOl9E2epKnoOOpAbgb-t3LPRnyk3BiS4HeAXCQ7gRD9RnQA/s400/axis+.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sundials indicate the time by casting a shadow or throwing
light onto a surface known as a dial face or dial plate. </div>
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The time is indicated where a shadow falls on the dial face,
which is usually inscribed with hour lines. </div>
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The entire object that casts a shadow or light onto the dial
face is known as the sundial's gnomon. </div>
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The gnomon is set parallel to the earth's axis. This angle
is horizontal at the equator and increases to vertical (90⁰) at the poles. The
angle of the earth's axis is dependent on your location and can be found by
checking the latitude on your GPS coordinates. The latitude of Drogheda is
53.717856⁰. </div>
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As well as being parallel to the earth's axis, the gnomon also
points to the pole (in this case the North Pole.) North, South, East and West
are marked on the sculpture on the back of the standing stones and behind the
seat stone. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEZmN45Nib2SE7JIqhhF21nv4iMpSvLQwyPkLCzIr1DYcdRRcSpxdD7OnwgVY7N-_aOEsjtSZ434plDzAIcYro5kbEiU6Zl7Nl2d7jgWhQizrJ4vout4CMwEZdbhsJT-i8A23ZNrBjyU/s1600/DSC_1448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEZmN45Nib2SE7JIqhhF21nv4iMpSvLQwyPkLCzIr1DYcdRRcSpxdD7OnwgVY7N-_aOEsjtSZ434plDzAIcYro5kbEiU6Zl7Nl2d7jgWhQizrJ4vout4CMwEZdbhsJT-i8A23ZNrBjyU/s400/DSC_1448.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Sun is highest in the sky at midday and casts a short
shadow. In the afternoon, when the Sun is lower in the sky, the shadow is
longer.</div>
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The length of the shadow is also affected by the seasons.
Winter shadows are longer than Summer shadows. This is because the Sun is lower
in the sky in Winter.</div>
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</div>
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The speed of the shadow depends on the length of the gnomon.
This gnomon, being almost 2 metres tall, means that the tip of the shadow will
move about a third of its height (60cm) in an hour - 1cm per minute. This
movement is due to the Earth's rotation.</div>
<br />
<b>Building the sculpture</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AOLak0nD3L88jmJtXRjRfxwhqjvj4nBx4nYwC1484fG1e8fqIDsEoAG1OJlL3cn1RMspth_K6A_DdznFLFQdlVeiaO6m4QeTPlwzxpGlHE3Dzzo_pRjjEOfDct-R2-9zHNzqHwa8p84/s1600/DSC_0387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AOLak0nD3L88jmJtXRjRfxwhqjvj4nBx4nYwC1484fG1e8fqIDsEoAG1OJlL3cn1RMspth_K6A_DdznFLFQdlVeiaO6m4QeTPlwzxpGlHE3Dzzo_pRjjEOfDct-R2-9zHNzqHwa8p84/s400/DSC_0387.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Like may stonemason's I usually work alone, however with large projects like this I am lucky to have a great group of friends from the <a href="http://dswai.ie/" target="_blank">DSWAI </a>who I can call on.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ94_N4ZlUGXfRrBXAgEOdWS2PGQb2IVEbsg7InX7zFIH1yqQQ2N2tuTZpe_xxKCg6i4NhTEtfX5pcgTL6GcnO5UtnB0DTRXZyN4wiypDY6x3MclKHfzQayLkOeLy1IPIcWcpupklVmU8/s1600/DSC_0539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ94_N4ZlUGXfRrBXAgEOdWS2PGQb2IVEbsg7InX7zFIH1yqQQ2N2tuTZpe_xxKCg6i4NhTEtfX5pcgTL6GcnO5UtnB0DTRXZyN4wiypDY6x3MclKHfzQayLkOeLy1IPIcWcpupklVmU8/s400/DSC_0539.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scaled model </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YiBoWVzVRECZjVjA-NXPKUAfzuc01iwiy-y9guRj6U8DFxSNl35jNIEv3-z-8dAAKP9pPNaV3om1TRh2yX5zrHqg9kl7s5AdHHcZ9PZcME_1iJe0-kV9d3gLul75GpEHdD4KKmi9Qb4/s1600/IMG_0564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YiBoWVzVRECZjVjA-NXPKUAfzuc01iwiy-y9guRj6U8DFxSNl35jNIEv3-z-8dAAKP9pPNaV3om1TRh2yX5zrHqg9kl7s5AdHHcZ9PZcME_1iJe0-kV9d3gLul75GpEHdD4KKmi9Qb4/s400/IMG_0564.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/EarthStone-107819046036924/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Ken Curran</a> splitting stone for the gnomon using plugs and feathers </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2arj8TLdW3Fpscb8ZYSByVJvIv_g22u25YVrCOIhs8EWs5WFEd62joGSeSXW6OQJIzpC2C9cWBquP75pb2m0UHzOlZ9JSrPNDc2CpeM-EhuEARcjswH05QDRWfTRYyKH6_vdLna-ZNCA/s1600/IMG_0571c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2arj8TLdW3Fpscb8ZYSByVJvIv_g22u25YVrCOIhs8EWs5WFEd62joGSeSXW6OQJIzpC2C9cWBquP75pb2m0UHzOlZ9JSrPNDc2CpeM-EhuEARcjswH05QDRWfTRYyKH6_vdLna-ZNCA/s400/IMG_0571c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunny places the gnomon </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrd2ZBVTB4DxxBuYU2NtpQ3JZlqr1cfNWXYGEYpUU_YIkUotalkVFnAAmoe8DSfQfMeKrx0fCjiPF9SRiyV0agblkyLexX8fDS9thZ-We0JmcacDhqHrkMlxDRohqVTXnh0ePLCjAFa04/s1600/DSC_0489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrd2ZBVTB4DxxBuYU2NtpQ3JZlqr1cfNWXYGEYpUU_YIkUotalkVFnAAmoe8DSfQfMeKrx0fCjiPF9SRiyV0agblkyLexX8fDS9thZ-We0JmcacDhqHrkMlxDRohqVTXnh0ePLCjAFa04/s400/DSC_0489.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken begins work in the first relief carving</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHhFyaV81RUxhYYoBaJyXEGiXfIuMtqYvabD_Yy0TXZC1lATqReAwL6y4bjc7RdsW2PhjLiMvsQAIYiTZHx0PhyboqSdBcRza-EbiXazhFHtKnXOns1Blxf0K8wvpXjZGeVNeA9VbAvw/s1600/DSC_0496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHhFyaV81RUxhYYoBaJyXEGiXfIuMtqYvabD_Yy0TXZC1lATqReAwL6y4bjc7RdsW2PhjLiMvsQAIYiTZHx0PhyboqSdBcRza-EbiXazhFHtKnXOns1Blxf0K8wvpXjZGeVNeA9VbAvw/s400/DSC_0496.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken and Sunny work on the carvings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2weutclkaSC7NT_-8YFZYBTxtpYNQhEgoDAlq9rhrEsVRnmSIgLB_7XAOFj5taUOjgTn6de991gP1iUG7IJGdmblfRPnmekMAw2GeVfgDc-bAqCvz3EbBXmXugGI-rhVsEhJXBuLIvs/s1600/IMG_0609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2weutclkaSC7NT_-8YFZYBTxtpYNQhEgoDAlq9rhrEsVRnmSIgLB_7XAOFj5taUOjgTn6de991gP1iUG7IJGdmblfRPnmekMAw2GeVfgDc-bAqCvz3EbBXmXugGI-rhVsEhJXBuLIvs/s400/IMG_0609.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Sunny's carvings nearing completion</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJzDn8AWmTsPIXXj1MtjPv0hVFJgVoqIio1WqKYiXoFyeL_4-neHDu26rDozoELB76zy9DNPa8hYW63jwcTOQ8EH1gCX4HGn9k3tP076jXIZ6A0Qn2FW-FGjG8jj77YML7KxGGW_mtWQ/s1600/IMG_0634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJzDn8AWmTsPIXXj1MtjPv0hVFJgVoqIio1WqKYiXoFyeL_4-neHDu26rDozoELB76zy9DNPa8hYW63jwcTOQ8EH1gCX4HGn9k3tP076jXIZ6A0Qn2FW-FGjG8jj77YML7KxGGW_mtWQ/s400/IMG_0634.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of standing stones carved by Ken</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RIpIn9Ua3RY331apJtHsZUxqVHZ-Jjuzx9YRwSDQdVZC3LUfKXK12TCez5j2eDJYEOXym3G_jHFPTGmCSRXpSh3IEKysiNuMbs1xbaoxFTjWoQ4a5sSnv8PmkR4j-R7UEMU13jqGZz0/s1600/DSC_0448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RIpIn9Ua3RY331apJtHsZUxqVHZ-Jjuzx9YRwSDQdVZC3LUfKXK12TCez5j2eDJYEOXym3G_jHFPTGmCSRXpSh3IEKysiNuMbs1xbaoxFTjWoQ4a5sSnv8PmkR4j-R7UEMU13jqGZz0/s400/DSC_0448.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/traditionalstonecrafts/" target="_blank">Alex Panteleyenko</a> works on cutting the letters for the time capsule seating area as well as the numbers for the sundial</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3214cAct0k9mcgy5r0tkH0siQTJkX_D7HKED3tnRMUmhwOsTImEVwAPHLKunwUy3F-AXfxzRlPqEnjdZ8Wkjl2_pbQgiQHuSbm90FPz29RD58GE-4DzPyoGAFmhZYMiaSRtOlI8hnZWM/s1600/DSC_0537-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3214cAct0k9mcgy5r0tkH0siQTJkX_D7HKED3tnRMUmhwOsTImEVwAPHLKunwUy3F-AXfxzRlPqEnjdZ8Wkjl2_pbQgiQHuSbm90FPz29RD58GE-4DzPyoGAFmhZYMiaSRtOlI8hnZWM/s400/DSC_0537-2.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time capsule seating area under construction </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7b51B6jeVSjEswPFaERI7ZmxwNxWq2Tptbv9p72EFOJ9wlolry9KX5aPhh5m6w6yBKat8jsej159Lwmt2Rb6EDRusmamaVgZrdSkhgJP0T-A1kOyJaMkiKaBcZG8B97VBqKeMqJXcvc/s1600/DSC_1392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7b51B6jeVSjEswPFaERI7ZmxwNxWq2Tptbv9p72EFOJ9wlolry9KX5aPhh5m6w6yBKat8jsej159Lwmt2Rb6EDRusmamaVgZrdSkhgJP0T-A1kOyJaMkiKaBcZG8B97VBqKeMqJXcvc/s400/DSC_1392.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The dry laid pitched stonework was a very slow process with about 60m2 to be laid in total. Fortunately I had Karl Kennedy and Mark Gregan with me for this stage of the build.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYOVJVU3my2PRQ-drcZqKRiKvZRhu7Ss4udth6bfXxJMM5Ezdfrt4A7kGcp_-h2JvQIP3ynsZKAR_7zFyIQOYe8n6QjbHf1sKEL0zwtZ_QNfgkNMKTYc3-Jpn0_NvIzhbHTzc4jCeTf0/s1600/DSC_1543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYOVJVU3my2PRQ-drcZqKRiKvZRhu7Ss4udth6bfXxJMM5Ezdfrt4A7kGcp_-h2JvQIP3ynsZKAR_7zFyIQOYe8n6QjbHf1sKEL0zwtZ_QNfgkNMKTYc3-Jpn0_NvIzhbHTzc4jCeTf0/s400/DSC_1543.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The majority of the stonework was laid in a radial orientation from the gnomon apart from one segment that connects the timekeeper's seat to the gnomon. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCZZZK837A_dz3lssfLM-mpLTN6w39zmBjn24fPH0rQJD3_VY_5OmxyWOvl2Eyz0-UcJe7a5LXC_qM9AVI7pjtn5YZuVRQ3QwU7bY_7rtV_nto1MTGPZK2cyVG5gC8UxvrP1KZBW3I_U/s1600/IMG_0681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCZZZK837A_dz3lssfLM-mpLTN6w39zmBjn24fPH0rQJD3_VY_5OmxyWOvl2Eyz0-UcJe7a5LXC_qM9AVI7pjtn5YZuVRQ3QwU7bY_7rtV_nto1MTGPZK2cyVG5gC8UxvrP1KZBW3I_U/s400/IMG_0681.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karl and Nick work in the shadow of the gnomon</td></tr>
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Scottish master craftsman Nick Aitken also stopped by for a few days to pitch in while over visiting for one of our trips to work on <a href="http://www.dswai.ie/#!emotional/c1t44" target="_blank">The Gathering of Stones </a>monument which a number of us are involved in. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5s92uq-5QlEADoPF8JQr2iMZA_lfO9pI5rS2uZsJQ4AuOIpQrQrdxB_MC5rO8IeaNnqkD7GQIw_oV-6vMc7Mz6Hg4MiqKeI_AmofXXr9BHV-V9M6BD3iBs1yb547CrWTb-l0fboXkdcE/s1600/IMG_0685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5s92uq-5QlEADoPF8JQr2iMZA_lfO9pI5rS2uZsJQ4AuOIpQrQrdxB_MC5rO8IeaNnqkD7GQIw_oV-6vMc7Mz6Hg4MiqKeI_AmofXXr9BHV-V9M6BD3iBs1yb547CrWTb-l0fboXkdcE/s400/IMG_0685.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As is often the case when building something unique, this project ended up taking longer than expected, so the pressure was on to get it completed on time. It was a little surreal at times to be building a giant clock when you're under pressure to finish a job. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GbgFCdWrS1p84qdKODOxUtGazi5z0F7BAlFeeoh43vDChAR8XHV9SUG8-9iclOzB6XTP_zit-xIda-4K8f2cG7b00tR3ufZ_JNkbe-2_uatMlw_aM0zCbNkP_MhMdexwabAiJsfka-I/s1600/DSC_1584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GbgFCdWrS1p84qdKODOxUtGazi5z0F7BAlFeeoh43vDChAR8XHV9SUG8-9iclOzB6XTP_zit-xIda-4K8f2cG7b00tR3ufZ_JNkbe-2_uatMlw_aM0zCbNkP_MhMdexwabAiJsfka-I/s400/DSC_1584.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thanks again to the great group of guys who helped me realise this project. It is great to see the praise it is getting, and the process of its construction will hopefully give some of the students in the school an appreciation for the craft and for the work involved in applying those skills. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgnTi_lKLYiSvxX5HexOvKbMqsNuwtGOc5bsfGlkRFqxAWcPaurKL9UF0vO0tlmMYRVQA2-fyZWic5CkpxOE052787bxKZYm40k_ZwVONLxTd0Dj_fyaPLRxFzEW6HlXXY8RNU2RHRe0/s1600/DSC_1474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgnTi_lKLYiSvxX5HexOvKbMqsNuwtGOc5bsfGlkRFqxAWcPaurKL9UF0vO0tlmMYRVQA2-fyZWic5CkpxOE052787bxKZYm40k_ZwVONLxTd0Dj_fyaPLRxFzEW6HlXXY8RNU2RHRe0/s400/DSC_1474.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com5Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland53.717856 -6.3560985000000353.680268999999996 -6.43677950000003 53.755443 -6.27541750000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-88048844251206037342015-12-01T23:20:00.000+00:002015-12-02T18:56:45.232+00:00Dry Stone Canada<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYUUc7jX-qWTwc1xZMfzq4gg9POT7CstjJFvhO9eOqA71GWt5xs1knx6nxMaAGjAlSi2-xsGVh3nueajB3uOrnTq5H_Moia0DwozXKVDm5LzrcrRkWsy4lxqOhuxUC0d37R8HkC-XGd8/s1600/DSC_1013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYUUc7jX-qWTwc1xZMfzq4gg9POT7CstjJFvhO9eOqA71GWt5xs1knx6nxMaAGjAlSi2-xsGVh3nueajB3uOrnTq5H_Moia0DwozXKVDm5LzrcrRkWsy4lxqOhuxUC0d37R8HkC-XGd8/s400/DSC_1013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping for Joy. Andre Lemieux, John Bland, Sunny Wieler, Ken Curran, Dom Keogh, Doug Bell</td></tr>
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September was a busy month for stone festivals. First we returned to <a href="http://www.dswai.ie/#!emotional/c1t44" target="_blank">'The Gathering of Stones</a>' site to put the final arch in place and to make plans for the final push to completion of our dry stone monument. Then with little respite the clan regrouped on Inis Oirr Island for our annual trip out to <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/search/label/Inis%20O%C3%ADrr" target="_blank">Féile na gCloch</a> (Festival of Stone). But before I had time to absorb the fun had on Inis Oirr island, I had to rush home to repack my bag to catch my flight to another great stone festival on another great little island. This island however lies a little further west of Galway bay, a lot further west in fact. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQabBWZqsiBEf1ysn9_XDhm-5tOKYORmLw6cNKfgGWQMdvk2uSVfaAR1xcqh46g4B_YarGCnIFGdFdAaxpu9vMEFi9dKRwD0oG6QupXAZQ-Kq258_-SJ-jeNBOM92SbzpAHfqXk8FGdjs/s1600/12011148_854720847960017_4260484665211268785_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQabBWZqsiBEf1ysn9_XDhm-5tOKYORmLw6cNKfgGWQMdvk2uSVfaAR1xcqh46g4B_YarGCnIFGdFdAaxpu9vMEFi9dKRwD0oG6QupXAZQ-Kq258_-SJ-jeNBOM92SbzpAHfqXk8FGdjs/s400/12011148_854720847960017_4260484665211268785_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Late last year Ken Curran and myself were invited by <a href="http://www.drystonecanada.com/" target="_blank">Dry Stone Canada</a> to come to Canada to be part of their annual dry stone festival as representatives of <a href="http://www.dswai.ie/" target="_blank">The Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland</a>. They were keen to have the Irish dry stone wall association involved as their festival this year was to have a very Irish twist. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkD_IK2eQGQhO32uL3n8SD-deoSuNSy7D74DYzjAQSgTgQdEZph0J3oXnmFxmxh-7Q51zvXSb2TvUq9g0EI6XvHkcN5I93X2r5xMcf7q-B84DJ0bnskBQpkJz3ui72Ex3bvwWq83xc2SM/s1600/Ken1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkD_IK2eQGQhO32uL3n8SD-deoSuNSy7D74DYzjAQSgTgQdEZph0J3oXnmFxmxh-7Q51zvXSb2TvUq9g0EI6XvHkcN5I93X2r5xMcf7q-B84DJ0bnskBQpkJz3ui72Ex3bvwWq83xc2SM/s400/Ken1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Historic dry stone walls on Amherst Island. Photo Ken Curran</td></tr>
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Their dry stone festival was to take place on Amherst Island. Situated 2.5 hours east of Toronto on Lake Ontario, <a href="http://www.protectamherstisland.ca/" target="_blank">Amherst Island</a> is an island with a strong Irish connection. </div>
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Right across the island, there are many old dry stone walls. Many of these walls date back to the 1800's when Irish settlers immigrated to the island. These Irish immigrants (many of whom came from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ards_Peninsula" target="_blank">Ayrds Peninsula</a>) are accredited with having built most of the dry stone walls that still remain on the island. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5xicYfeA1J7_QqIpdUs4YiTcbuxGQdT0uf-3qHgpJzpPuTsCunSDWJaxZAUwO7XI8lHeDnmGJsg_9NCruAI0mpCt2LZp9YN0ekjp_0V6c0TZEmsrgKyFgv4t55ZythtMkkIXko3a7DA/s1600/12045558_893178467431169_8891340987540521215_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5xicYfeA1J7_QqIpdUs4YiTcbuxGQdT0uf-3qHgpJzpPuTsCunSDWJaxZAUwO7XI8lHeDnmGJsg_9NCruAI0mpCt2LZp9YN0ekjp_0V6c0TZEmsrgKyFgv4t55ZythtMkkIXko3a7DA/s400/12045558_893178467431169_8891340987540521215_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The town of Stella on Amherst Island Photo Ken Curran</td></tr>
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Travelling to the island on a short 20min ferry journey, we arrived in the township of Stella. Although very picturesque, there are very few facilities still open on the island. Even the general store has closed in recent years meaning everything has to come from the mainland. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6L_rELwD79P2eNWKNb55ukBqbzelgke439KYsMXYWAeK3mJL03Yl7SnN6UlZvkwVhTXcW2YUybryC0CPaTOYMX9xuNQKFVj057OqwZXiYAzibFjElPH-K70q3nIHnPGSZDVA4dKPXE0/s1600/12038455_10207017747098767_1870422816452445623_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6L_rELwD79P2eNWKNb55ukBqbzelgke439KYsMXYWAeK3mJL03Yl7SnN6UlZvkwVhTXcW2YUybryC0CPaTOYMX9xuNQKFVj057OqwZXiYAzibFjElPH-K70q3nIHnPGSZDVA4dKPXE0/s200/12038455_10207017747098767_1870422816452445623_n.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the local heros. <br />
Photo Vicki Keith</td></tr>
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With a population of about 450 people, there is not much in the way of accommodation on the island. This brought me to my first question. Where on earth are we all going to stay? Oh you are all being 'billeted' I was told.<br />
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Billeted is a term that I had not heard before so this quickly led to my next question. What is 'billeted'? A billet is a an old army term for living quarters to which a soldier is assigned to sleep. Historically, it referred to a private dwelling that was required to accept the soldier.</div>
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It was clear from the get go that the islanders were very much involved in the festival and their contributions/ hospitality and warmth are one of the things that made this festival so special.<br />
Across the island the Irish Tricolour was flying proudly outside numerous properties. This pride and welcome would make any Irishman feel as if he were home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNWlaeowmUkrxYxSBwK2ahhDahq3o0kMQGcFRNZEp3UHKLr48YEp2rfRnIhYT6h26ncB3EQIfC4x_t-nGfIPLyzvPZiCkk8hNL38j4jFhQZraQjpOMURyyiQSRjFQWvhMvLlgPZjiskI/s1600/DSC_0849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNWlaeowmUkrxYxSBwK2ahhDahq3o0kMQGcFRNZEp3UHKLr48YEp2rfRnIhYT6h26ncB3EQIfC4x_t-nGfIPLyzvPZiCkk8hNL38j4jFhQZraQjpOMURyyiQSRjFQWvhMvLlgPZjiskI/s400/DSC_0849.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga40FNzGs807drtgTQG0abtvv5OQFQJANx70daCwlSxS3XvfGV6ZNZ3I6_hRi5YQku2OFmvPgAzf7k5C5y50_tybRTJVrndyxU7OTuZSzaABCotUdMl2x2T-ydo2KBapNYUHqSTNXxfz8/s1600/brian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga40FNzGs807drtgTQG0abtvv5OQFQJANx70daCwlSxS3XvfGV6ZNZ3I6_hRi5YQku2OFmvPgAzf7k5C5y50_tybRTJVrndyxU7OTuZSzaABCotUdMl2x2T-ydo2KBapNYUHqSTNXxfz8/s400/brian.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local family owned <a href="http://topsyfarms.com/" target="_blank">Topsy Farm</a> showing their support for the festival <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo </span><a href="http://www.brianlittlephoto.com/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Brian Little</a><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></td></tr>
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The festival itself consisted of two dry stone builds, an Irish sampler wall for the students and a solar alignment feature for some of the professional wallers who came to the festival. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS7abHYaMf3m5-35gMtq0PcmHdPcSpH5zW9r7H6K9lX_iHuMSKVauO1jCplmxkilpMuJW4j66iojv97IaJoCOf3S63o9GHA35S6ZHKJ5asKbAnfcj_McpdrwOKK3bSCIfZR3knHj8lGE/s1600/12038950_10153280073202675_7625553756413770946_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS7abHYaMf3m5-35gMtq0PcmHdPcSpH5zW9r7H6K9lX_iHuMSKVauO1jCplmxkilpMuJW4j66iojv97IaJoCOf3S63o9GHA35S6ZHKJ5asKbAnfcj_McpdrwOKK3bSCIfZR3knHj8lGE/s400/12038950_10153280073202675_7625553756413770946_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">A section of the Irish sampler wall built by students during the festival. Photo </span><a href="http://www.brianlittlephoto.com/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Brian Little</a></td></tr>
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Under the instruction of master Irish stonemason Patrick McAfee and other master masons , the Irish sampler wall was to be built using the local limestone, most ofwhich was donated by the islanders. </div>
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The local limestone is very similar to the karst limestone of the Aran Islands back in Ireland so it was decided the the Irish sampler wall would be built in wall styles found on the Aran Islands.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IBkqqaaRXOhGQ-nP8tvaJWKRTL_4_Oxk-2sthHSQjfrtAMO0bzki0W8VmVBSaCF5O5Xpxk-ZPMxChfxBGVBpGfSQi1r9cl6CRa2sMbnZ15l4q6mjf4fNzTqalNjR3YOZvD3xuiI6buw/s1600/DSC_1069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IBkqqaaRXOhGQ-nP8tvaJWKRTL_4_Oxk-2sthHSQjfrtAMO0bzki0W8VmVBSaCF5O5Xpxk-ZPMxChfxBGVBpGfSQi1r9cl6CRa2sMbnZ15l4q6mjf4fNzTqalNjR3YOZvD3xuiI6buw/s400/DSC_1069.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irish wall styles</td></tr>
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The two wall styles chosen were a single wedged wall and a Feidin wall. A single wedged wall is a wall where stones the full depth of the wall are laid vertically and as the name suggests, wedged together. The second wall type is a combination wall known as a Feidin wall. This wall consists of a double wall on the bottom with a single wall on top. This very unusual wall type is unique to Ireland and a small area of Scotland. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivDmC2HPeFnl_QRQ3-iymQKsb8TeEr68-Oy6Tberd1MUHI3Lj4PyOgrUiGSj7ZUA2WQnaXuHAIJyiHcUvE8jbIYO8duTLzBDLBJqLG9cc_t_wwzHMWdpxrg_F3DjQAKW95QZTVBJiVwM/s1600/DSC_0813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivDmC2HPeFnl_QRQ3-iymQKsb8TeEr68-Oy6Tberd1MUHI3Lj4PyOgrUiGSj7ZUA2WQnaXuHAIJyiHcUvE8jbIYO8duTLzBDLBJqLG9cc_t_wwzHMWdpxrg_F3DjQAKW95QZTVBJiVwM/s400/DSC_0813.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A Feidin wall is built by placing large upright stones known as 'Mother' stones at intervals along the foundation. Between the 'mother' stones a double sided wall is built using smaller stones known as 'children' stones. To finish off the wall a single wedged wall is built on top using larger stones known as 'father' stones. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAn6jd8uoHY8mplu7mwDX5M8MwlAt0FZPifc_cc9tPpFKuwjPRKtx8BDZDMLMxKrkwCU-jWaLLzgdX0wFZVTPtnmFPXI_DMl47Ksn3RhvD4YH681Ffo04RO_fC38v3x_0gDe-7PC3-_G8/s1600/AI+Wall-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAn6jd8uoHY8mplu7mwDX5M8MwlAt0FZPifc_cc9tPpFKuwjPRKtx8BDZDMLMxKrkwCU-jWaLLzgdX0wFZVTPtnmFPXI_DMl47Ksn3RhvD4YH681Ffo04RO_fC38v3x_0gDe-7PC3-_G8/s400/AI+Wall-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Feidin wall. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo </span><a href="http://www.brianlittlephoto.com/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Brian Little</a></td></tr>
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This style of wall not only makes for a great story, but it is also an incredibly strong method of building. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTIyJGRJpdtBnrH9dNHESEFqZJk4UQrBvz5sgbkYbd9fNP-XXe4I-uPPyRsFNdXJYw6ZnXy3izFNXwG5Py9yusTjYrLXupEdKSEjoLotLkMdxLvM_Eo8NySsv52lShoRCT_blhy5hJgg/s1600/DSC_0800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTIyJGRJpdtBnrH9dNHESEFqZJk4UQrBvz5sgbkYbd9fNP-XXe4I-uPPyRsFNdXJYw6ZnXy3izFNXwG5Py9yusTjYrLXupEdKSEjoLotLkMdxLvM_Eo8NySsv52lShoRCT_blhy5hJgg/s400/DSC_0800.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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During the course of the weekend over 100ft of wall was built. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsepCxwsqSvLRfzK4u79YEpNjTFbw07QOY_rEcq5k7bsCND5rh6OZw9rHQXpNHJXn08hPxsSGbrtnosZN_pBOtDK8GS-tl-Dzqi4MY2akp_SjF-JLnUKCV5IZtnuzSOyiWx5kPMUhp2c/s1600/DSC_0872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsepCxwsqSvLRfzK4u79YEpNjTFbw07QOY_rEcq5k7bsCND5rh6OZw9rHQXpNHJXn08hPxsSGbrtnosZN_pBOtDK8GS-tl-Dzqi4MY2akp_SjF-JLnUKCV5IZtnuzSOyiWx5kPMUhp2c/s400/DSC_0872.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan Pearl setting the 'father stones' </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5ln4ifkR87gUQjFzOyblQvZ7yshyphenhyphenPPRxvo0Ja01rGJiZIYpCnf1ZqQF39tTBqRLEGIE5hRGQVus694xxbk452NxP671UpO3LZQbVJX6YADhBgO7NIr6ZqTvZDgQYapkJeLQ7ZKB39wc/s1600/DSC_0844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5ln4ifkR87gUQjFzOyblQvZ7yshyphenhyphenPPRxvo0Ja01rGJiZIYpCnf1ZqQF39tTBqRLEGIE5hRGQVus694xxbk452NxP671UpO3LZQbVJX6YADhBgO7NIr6ZqTvZDgQYapkJeLQ7ZKB39wc/s200/DSC_0844.jpg" width="132" /></a> Islander and festival facilitator Jacob Murray poses for a photo with his son. Sponsored by the islanders, Jacob attended our <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2014/06/the-birth-of-new-stone-festival-in.html" target="_blank">Tír Ċonaill Stone Festival</a> in Donegal last year to learn about running a festival back on Amherst. <span style="text-align: center;">Jacob is also one of just a few dry stone wallers remaining on Amherst island and is responsible for much of the lovely modern dry stone walls appearing across the island. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiDu5Z0jnAHpSIrHgl-bExaLDoqXFIl0G51tXz8MW1N0ULFy4pbHx-UAWVsokbieE7s7mDaR3-00NSkSXNqz4MMt96-SRXefncMWXES2dw5lomUC_Gv9XFO9D2EUMmZ0dBmO9xYjBwUA/s1600/The+initial+of+the+land+donor+for+the+project+Dayle+Gowan++ken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiDu5Z0jnAHpSIrHgl-bExaLDoqXFIl0G51tXz8MW1N0ULFy4pbHx-UAWVsokbieE7s7mDaR3-00NSkSXNqz4MMt96-SRXefncMWXES2dw5lomUC_Gv9XFO9D2EUMmZ0dBmO9xYjBwUA/s400/The+initial+of+the+land+donor+for+the+project+Dayle+Gowan++ken.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the carvings by Karin Sprague,the last initial of the land donor for the project, Dayle Gowan. Photo: Ken Curran </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3o5TtYQqaHanS-UiJmndx3azTf-H0nHIau9bIOjuI1ZqpmsO3_GubrlxMHLq8v2vYMEC7GehiH3T5VZvOuljLyKq_93mzZBvNQ7udM2nSc1qwEBmW5-FGwXUNqrIPOF2hDFv0FyBLUtQ/s1600/12032635_10153280070807675_2517275725161717190_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3o5TtYQqaHanS-UiJmndx3azTf-H0nHIau9bIOjuI1ZqpmsO3_GubrlxMHLq8v2vYMEC7GehiH3T5VZvOuljLyKq_93mzZBvNQ7udM2nSc1qwEBmW5-FGwXUNqrIPOF2hDFv0FyBLUtQ/s400/12032635_10153280070807675_2517275725161717190_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">John Crowe, early Island wall builder from the 1800's honoured, and a stone from Ards stone carved and sent by Ards Women's Institute in Northern Ireland. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo </span><a href="http://www.brianlittlephoto.com/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Brian Little</a><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption"></td><td class="tr-caption"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2so9D_LWq7lj6Ic9aWTI1hw6rbnHUbwoMuY1_JDWikLZwSYfsdj71TA9Q6Qxaq07G2eUdmci6VToOPkENSPkVYr4_4BZ9p3PEmBQyRzewRFwj2l8n92rNQEkYA1BdgiEJwnreLPZl1ns/s1600/DSC_1039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2so9D_LWq7lj6Ic9aWTI1hw6rbnHUbwoMuY1_JDWikLZwSYfsdj71TA9Q6Qxaq07G2eUdmci6VToOPkENSPkVYr4_4BZ9p3PEmBQyRzewRFwj2l8n92rNQEkYA1BdgiEJwnreLPZl1ns/s400/DSC_1039.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> 'Remember Th<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">em' a quote </span>from<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Jane Urquhart's book. Carved by </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Danny Barber of <a href="http://smithandbarber.ca/" target="_blank">Smith & Barber</a>. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXBclxPv_PeHcxafdcv37SbDWHZk7D1B6XZ0F91hUrS3RiZwrNcbmwpnnUU5YMQ3K_MeVeW-sQgK2mBfNEn5SttsEVnn6bRWbbU6Y8d8bllPysnKwPl93VqeWMvebaBadTulEOwf3JV0/s1600/DSC_1069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXBclxPv_PeHcxafdcv37SbDWHZk7D1B6XZ0F91hUrS3RiZwrNcbmwpnnUU5YMQ3K_MeVeW-sQgK2mBfNEn5SttsEVnn6bRWbbU6Y8d8bllPysnKwPl93VqeWMvebaBadTulEOwf3JV0/s400/DSC_1069.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vice President of<a href="http://www.drystonecanada.com/" target="_blank"> Dry Stone Canada</a> Eric Landman standing tall alongside President <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Andre Lemieux.</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacpVKHPXq-a7_6TEde5zntWsGAYLaD4qXVOwlX8qxCYHSAR-6UC37WTbVWfBawjK-gBioGen3s3bsWrCe-21xd-adg1HwGFcCBpKnabYzqZH8hhIX8TH0UUFSl1GKIHNrg7GjvHO80I0/s1600/DSC_1063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacpVKHPXq-a7_6TEde5zntWsGAYLaD4qXVOwlX8qxCYHSAR-6UC37WTbVWfBawjK-gBioGen3s3bsWrCe-21xd-adg1HwGFcCBpKnabYzqZH8hhIX8TH0UUFSl1GKIHNrg7GjvHO80I0/s400/DSC_1063.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished wall with a clapper bridge built by Norman Haddow. One end of this bridge had 1822 (the date of the first European settlers on the Island) carved on by Tracy Mahaffey the other end had 2015 by Karin Sprague</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzb3r6Z4S0EasaUggQX1hQ1EfqBjfFq4BAONwqMot_HOlplBpQsu9z6-EPsYH4zhWT01kSAGi0DnvWkIlNNU0fM9DB_dtO3tbxjKkzV0kLOurFkKxbEI-LTmdtmY-kFB5lRPEhTmpa74/s1600/DSC_0854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzb3r6Z4S0EasaUggQX1hQ1EfqBjfFq4BAONwqMot_HOlplBpQsu9z6-EPsYH4zhWT01kSAGi0DnvWkIlNNU0fM9DB_dtO3tbxjKkzV0kLOurFkKxbEI-LTmdtmY-kFB5lRPEhTmpa74/s400/DSC_0854.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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While the grownups built walls <a href="http://thinking-stoneman.blogspot.ie/" target="_blank">John Shaw-Rimmington</a> was keeping the kids entertained with a dry spud walling event. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fZ4hrrgiC3oKw65gi2lJCIvER-WB4EZixiNXx6vLfjSD59fYcfv6D2H8T6sbVDhWO3RqB2Fs-l1y8vP73YfWheqI_hbxCPaHwwwg8YdoPaKOMs2-Hw7ySFlXXYFyr52Amfup4xYICmg/s1600/DSC_0859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fZ4hrrgiC3oKw65gi2lJCIvER-WB4EZixiNXx6vLfjSD59fYcfv6D2H8T6sbVDhWO3RqB2Fs-l1y8vP73YfWheqI_hbxCPaHwwwg8YdoPaKOMs2-Hw7ySFlXXYFyr52Amfup4xYICmg/s400/DSC_0859.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The spuds were a play on the Irish theme but were also a great fun and safe way for the young kids to learn some of the basic principles for dry stone construction.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfT0mHtX6sf9zmFVdt0zN4Ho5_FA-cFvNHZSh8RHk4zJwAM9ehrtikaYbbmPkb2jIWtrw0ke6EXuqPXM22c62vF1WCPOEFapAt0oPFvDZH7sb0XejJY3XCre5TsI-0DvfGOBLYMqwNQQ/s1600/DSC_0866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfT0mHtX6sf9zmFVdt0zN4Ho5_FA-cFvNHZSh8RHk4zJwAM9ehrtikaYbbmPkb2jIWtrw0ke6EXuqPXM22c62vF1WCPOEFapAt0oPFvDZH7sb0XejJY3XCre5TsI-0DvfGOBLYMqwNQQ/s400/DSC_0866.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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On the last day of the festival the 2 tons of potatoes used were donated by Dry Stone Canada to Loving Spoonful in Kingston, supplying 26 Kingston groups including hot meal programs and homeless shelters.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XYrQ37PT0R4P2qB-wUNlgSeEwH8yjXnDJWEAm9qv2sVrZBecbbPTnU24ocn-jRLOXotJTbQiyDMnzGx5w5zihSRVXIyoOLYgXz8suUOUwnAOUW_34Wuc1jPWyGx5vG-VRm0G_vCRQj4/s1600/DSC_0865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XYrQ37PT0R4P2qB-wUNlgSeEwH8yjXnDJWEAm9qv2sVrZBecbbPTnU24ocn-jRLOXotJTbQiyDMnzGx5w5zihSRVXIyoOLYgXz8suUOUwnAOUW_34Wuc1jPWyGx5vG-VRm0G_vCRQj4/s400/DSC_0865.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building arches or 'Starches' and John was calling them. </td></tr>
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What made this festival very special indeed was the professional feature built on the same site as the Irish sampler wall. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxQphcJBZ_v2iXwFTUR2dP9rLE0DgYAchkcvknzwEKsk2ONgkv0iOt3KTsgV8N3smwfrYPijqYb8U03YeENM6tkpePwuuyfuOtBxiVgRXHtjekTK5nt5mi0jUIKgdMStVl5jV5KcNYPM/s1600/design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxQphcJBZ_v2iXwFTUR2dP9rLE0DgYAchkcvknzwEKsk2ONgkv0iOt3KTsgV8N3smwfrYPijqYb8U03YeENM6tkpePwuuyfuOtBxiVgRXHtjekTK5nt5mi0jUIKgdMStVl5jV5KcNYPM/s400/design.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The design, dreamed up by Montreal dry stone waller <a href="http://jbstonecraft.com/" target="_blank">John Bland</a> was to be an interactive structure that would also mark the close of the festival at 18:30 on the final day of the festival.</div>
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John also wanted to build something that would have an Irish theme. Here in Ireland the Celts have been marking important days on the calendar using beams of light for over 5000 years. The best example of this is <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2011/12/newgrange-and-winter-solstice.html" target="_blank">Newgrange</a> where on the winter solstice a beam of light travels through a small window to illuminate a small stone chamber. (read more about Newgrange <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2011/12/newgrange-and-winter-solstice.html" target="_blank">here</a>)</div>
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Unfazed by the massive challenge of attempting to build such a complex structure, John decided to follow the way of the Celts and design a dry stone structure that would, on the close of the festival, send a beam of light through an opening in a Celtic cross wall, and project the light onto a carving at the far end of the structure.</div>
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Four pillars with cantilevered seats are also perfectly lined up with the angle of the sun to create one solid shadow at the precise moment the light hits the carving. </div>
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John described to the<a href="http://www.amherstisland.on.ca/Beacon/index.htm" target="_blank"> Amherst Island Beacon</a> what was involved: </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>"I spent many months working on the design and a<br />lot of time pacing around my house trying to think<br />of what I could be missing. There are a lot of site<br />requirements and a lot of moving parts in attempting<br />a project like this. The site had to be perfect in<br />terms of having a line of sight to the setting<br />sun...and it was: the lower the angle the better, in<br />order to cast longer shadows. The sun also seems to<br />have less intensity which can provide a light effect<br />that is softer and more colorful to look at during<br />events. At the same time the sunlight had to be<br />strong enough to be able to cast a beam of light that<br />was highly visible on the Claddagh stone. We didn't<br />necessarily need level terrain but it was nice and<br />level which made things a lot easier. Layout was a<br />challenge...many string lines, many batter frames, all<br />of it had to be very precise. The team of guys that<br />worked on the project in my mind are all superstars,<br />the kind of guys that show up on day one not<br />knowing what to expect and after a minute of<br />walking around the work site just get it and know<br />what to do. It was a great collaboration from all the<br />dry stone wallers as well as people of Amherst<br />Island to make it a success!"</i></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNn_CeCg2-dI_Tbtchw4ljfnxk1tMT2qhO9Em3Etx16_ycwKFIReYotVfk5Ug6glsUDbdXUumZckG05-rQep6HGnZS6I8KwqgpFcNk3SjVk7YUBDVe6U7kB-Jseyfh8JpXAAm4dXCO2ZU/s1600/john-bland-gif1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNn_CeCg2-dI_Tbtchw4ljfnxk1tMT2qhO9Em3Etx16_ycwKFIReYotVfk5Ug6glsUDbdXUumZckG05-rQep6HGnZS6I8KwqgpFcNk3SjVk7YUBDVe6U7kB-Jseyfh8JpXAAm4dXCO2ZU/s400/john-bland-gif1.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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The animated GIF above shows how the beam of light moves across the structure </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uwKPNORqr6Sq77rNiJrT9iW84ACiom6pZCmAdT9RiLzyN8bSB8EEpBFqVN7LMUyXH2zkIRhF0nYnvEZ67ZqB1rAkFD3ZLGvPJwXtExvGbD_iDf_Faso-jOq31lErf648cZy6Ekr5FE8/s1600/AI+Wall-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uwKPNORqr6Sq77rNiJrT9iW84ACiom6pZCmAdT9RiLzyN8bSB8EEpBFqVN7LMUyXH2zkIRhF0nYnvEZ67ZqB1rAkFD3ZLGvPJwXtExvGbD_iDf_Faso-jOq31lErf648cZy6Ekr5FE8/s400/AI+Wall-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The finished structure. Photo </span><a href="http://www.brianlittlephoto.com/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Brian Little</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTZUoIBM60PU1uXidVJ2Ua66rmjEKTsa6l3V9bhibGXWrBBWugjeI-f4ym6O9gQtbg_Afp2j1EW_c9mao6Pg1lrysAg7U0QhKn37wSEdpJGuebGsb_Tt_QWOrEhyphenhyphen4EjTXasi3Xu_gRjQ/s1600/12033246_10207017744338698_6006052330190223350_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTZUoIBM60PU1uXidVJ2Ua66rmjEKTsa6l3V9bhibGXWrBBWugjeI-f4ym6O9gQtbg_Afp2j1EW_c9mao6Pg1lrysAg7U0QhKn37wSEdpJGuebGsb_Tt_QWOrEhyphenhyphen4EjTXasi3Xu_gRjQ/s400/12033246_10207017744338698_6006052330190223350_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Celtic cross sun portal. Photo by Vicki Keith</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvLWOe36tW1LijWZO00GmTicOqg8jNJJz7J0tkXkdH3el3Q3e_s3F1VzLvZTpduMgs_avS8Yii2aSGZ_6H6GNNf_S_URQfZB8UBMyW-G_JNn-vQdM8SanTkXhzvBYvBlSoDVq9sClT6o/s1600/DSC_1055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvLWOe36tW1LijWZO00GmTicOqg8jNJJz7J0tkXkdH3el3Q3e_s3F1VzLvZTpduMgs_avS8Yii2aSGZ_6H6GNNf_S_URQfZB8UBMyW-G_JNn-vQdM8SanTkXhzvBYvBlSoDVq9sClT6o/s400/DSC_1055.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The relief carving carved on site by <a href="http://www.tracymahaffey.com/" target="_blank">Tracy Mahaffey</a> is of a Claddagh ring. The Claddagh ring is a traditional Irish ring which represents love, loyalty, and friendship.</td></tr>
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After coming up with the concept John spent the next six months working out the design and calculating all the precision angles and measurements needed for the structure to work.</div>
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Then long before any of us arrived on the island to begin work, John was already on site for two weeks setting out batter frames on string lines, anxiously checking and re-checking measurements. He knew from his computer mock up that the design should work but unfortunately for him he wouldn't find out for sure until the structure was built with the eyes of hundreds of people watching in anticipation to see if it would work in real life. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSuRCVHEgujcjlHoqxvScnJj5aCzJIcX2goeqEE4HV_UVglzbQM4uqvOHfIv1WEkolI49O5fxpU192TXcc3w8v-tWvKdxAJ4pP0bncHB_C7cV3AbhnMh0OmzxVc3bfnXvvXDqqTPB42w/s1600/DSC_0783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSuRCVHEgujcjlHoqxvScnJj5aCzJIcX2goeqEE4HV_UVglzbQM4uqvOHfIv1WEkolI49O5fxpU192TXcc3w8v-tWvKdxAJ4pP0bncHB_C7cV3AbhnMh0OmzxVc3bfnXvvXDqqTPB42w/s400/DSC_0783.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The first day on site everything was laid out and ready to go. So wallers from across North America (and a few Celts) got to work on building up the walls.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2mf89zngg_EngcAgG2LTPVzbhbNMT8VdF8uhOIL30C69WY-Xc1VZ5HVqQOK9MD2w0mcLprK5J2BSTlKHmXClGUk3Bp35000Wr4hd1l-cYs4vMvyezE3czUCYrjzH8FSI0zr5ZV-IhDk/s1600/DSC_0792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2mf89zngg_EngcAgG2LTPVzbhbNMT8VdF8uhOIL30C69WY-Xc1VZ5HVqQOK9MD2w0mcLprK5J2BSTlKHmXClGUk3Bp35000Wr4hd1l-cYs4vMvyezE3czUCYrjzH8FSI0zr5ZV-IhDk/s400/DSC_0792.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone for the solar feature supplied by <a href="http://www.uppercanadastone.com/" target="_blank">Upper Canada Stone</a></td></tr>
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The majority of the stone for the solar project was built using <span style="text-align: center;">Mocha Limestone donated by <a href="http://www.uppercanadastone.com/" target="_blank">Upper Canada Stone</a>. It was decided to use the local island karst limestone for the features, namely, the small moongate (sun portal) and the cantilevered seats. </span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMWb-sdJbFAHeBTVPAIVIA2Q0QZbyBTgCxik1Um6SDSLWlplBQmhb9ACQuIcvKfpOtQEXKVrnC8PfSzv7E2SAt3oWXs7lQ-dmh10mfXmx2IONY8VarMHpXbDw4iX8BML4EpYDWhRhR30/s1600/DSC_1051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMWb-sdJbFAHeBTVPAIVIA2Q0QZbyBTgCxik1Um6SDSLWlplBQmhb9ACQuIcvKfpOtQEXKVrnC8PfSzv7E2SAt3oWXs7lQ-dmh10mfXmx2IONY8VarMHpXbDw4iX8BML4EpYDWhRhR30/s400/DSC_1051.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Celtic cross sun portal was left to the Irish lads to build. (Sunny Wieler, Ken Curran) In contrast to the Mocha Limestone supplied by Upper Canada Stone, the portal was built using the local Karst Limestone. It was built to a precise angle in line with the angle of the sun so that it would project a beam of light on the carving on the other end of the structure at precisely 18:30 on the Sunday (the closing of the festival).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXetUJmvPJJudcnJdzsda1D_DA1C1h3RFavud5cm9c4OFdGRmhc7opYA723TCqm5fXzK5RwQIIrNuOgKIOwjXW3pDZogfSUrcSi6BY485P-kixzKMTliWtPT_oRNO9pGx3k3yZ1BJQlM/s1600/DSC_1071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXetUJmvPJJudcnJdzsda1D_DA1C1h3RFavud5cm9c4OFdGRmhc7opYA723TCqm5fXzK5RwQIIrNuOgKIOwjXW3pDZogfSUrcSi6BY485P-kixzKMTliWtPT_oRNO9pGx3k3yZ1BJQlM/s400/DSC_1071.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four pillars with cantilevered slabs of local stone create seating for the solar spectators.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bWLOwohyphenhyphencFWMWXZcMFrvyWRbXOsdiYwAUP5PSYHLDbesNOVgj90lGMhNSJDvu_xHW3iWBxfXITZL_TdEni4cE6bxWFfdCtUdj0U7FDZfbtrI8Yd4AzilM3pl6J4nDbyyJL6s8dvgt0U/s1600/DSC_0830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bWLOwohyphenhyphencFWMWXZcMFrvyWRbXOsdiYwAUP5PSYHLDbesNOVgj90lGMhNSJDvu_xHW3iWBxfXITZL_TdEni4cE6bxWFfdCtUdj0U7FDZfbtrI8Yd4AzilM3pl6J4nDbyyJL6s8dvgt0U/s400/DSC_0830.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jared Flynn and Mike Murphy from The Stone Trust Vermont work on the Celtic cross feature wall.</td></tr>
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Building the Celtic cross moongate or sun portal as I call it (seems more appropriate) using the local karst limestone was quite challenging as it was almost impossible to shape. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6YGwjbLUBcwZ_ZAOnc3_sJSF3bNiuc51tuU5y9RQBllNn4UeLOcuMYG6hUqMgaEvly4zZYxs6zB4rSsSH2gR-8PniX88WKtU1p5o8T30pPcbd6AVlT_lc0NzfI6Vi0Cb6j1thEJ2McE/s1600/DSC_0852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6YGwjbLUBcwZ_ZAOnc3_sJSF3bNiuc51tuU5y9RQBllNn4UeLOcuMYG6hUqMgaEvly4zZYxs6zB4rSsSH2gR-8PniX88WKtU1p5o8T30pPcbd6AVlT_lc0NzfI6Vi0Cb6j1thEJ2McE/s400/DSC_0852.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stone carvers <a href="http://www.tracymahaffey.com/" target="_blank">Tracy Mahaffey</a> and <span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="http://www.karinsprague.com/" target="_blank">Karin Sprague</a> working their </span>magic.<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;"> By sundown on the Saturday it was apparent there was still much to do on the feature. However with many great wallers at hand we made good progress.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1Zmg5YmUXvyRCADYmzo_6apekrWwq9zQtk282NUwyfIKlH0zJDBwT5aYRhrw0Uyf_3IDc6T_emhs9JnTwf9MPpiObwHfKC-1FYm7V6SUAY0rs7pFUC61nEH4AcCbByyeN6o5tVFesFM/s1600/12091420_10153280077837675_7915354592973074654_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1Zmg5YmUXvyRCADYmzo_6apekrWwq9zQtk282NUwyfIKlH0zJDBwT5aYRhrw0Uyf_3IDc6T_emhs9JnTwf9MPpiObwHfKC-1FYm7V6SUAY0rs7pFUC61nEH4AcCbByyeN6o5tVFesFM/s400/12091420_10153280077837675_7915354592973074654_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the wallers who worked on the professional feature. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo </span><a href="http://www.brianlittlephoto.com/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Brian Little</a><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></td></tr>
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The weather was amazing all weekend, with unbroken sunshine. On the Sunday as we rushed to get the Celtic cross wall completed in time, clouds began to creep up over the horizon. Looking over at John's face I could see him trying to stare down the clouds. He quickly went from worrying about having the hole in a wall ready for the sun to shine through, to worrying about having a sun to shine through a hole in a wall. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9Nx9CfbSLoDqHgM3BGirVS05gwLUCuXV7bIkTvPyXdFDURJzisdYyluEwFetvtw_SYbbLnxfSxaGUC4wIUOTXjnG6cZFTL_9J8zImKg7N1Jm8SM0JMXfLrRVplPDBlLKCBNvvoy_A9I/s1600/DSC_0874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9Nx9CfbSLoDqHgM3BGirVS05gwLUCuXV7bIkTvPyXdFDURJzisdYyluEwFetvtw_SYbbLnxfSxaGUC4wIUOTXjnG6cZFTL_9J8zImKg7N1Jm8SM0JMXfLrRVplPDBlLKCBNvvoy_A9I/s400/DSC_0874.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As we neared 18:30 (the moment of truth) the crowds grew bigger, as did the wall, as did the clouds. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5JbsvkQkulthn8qXm8NwvjdTetP16AeygCg8eA5s6bxFtQF_JAdMgcFBadL2zP0-_czVzgiwaEZ83LTru3G4QO1N7qAPZ2FLoxOeioa1V8G7BlK-r9HMn3sa4rgn9UY_0oPxskE-GvU/s1600/DSC_0884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5JbsvkQkulthn8qXm8NwvjdTetP16AeygCg8eA5s6bxFtQF_JAdMgcFBadL2zP0-_czVzgiwaEZ83LTru3G4QO1N7qAPZ2FLoxOeioa1V8G7BlK-r9HMn3sa4rgn9UY_0oPxskE-GvU/s400/DSC_0884.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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With just minutes to spare, the wall was finished and the scaffolding whisked away. As the clock hit 18:30 we all felt proud in what we had achieved but were also quietly disappointed in the failure of the sun to show up for the show. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAStaX7WdiPRqGqN9kvGz2XDdcpdimAgvn8Rsx5UHefJXSVWzIsCKylwbig_6BzcBMDJGrZ8gHanWmglRIJF05JhZmPwk-pcTPV5XzgDC56FFosSvS9XEJRZaAdMgAtk4HBnEU4bbVMpk/s1600/DSC_0882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAStaX7WdiPRqGqN9kvGz2XDdcpdimAgvn8Rsx5UHefJXSVWzIsCKylwbig_6BzcBMDJGrZ8gHanWmglRIJF05JhZmPwk-pcTPV5XzgDC56FFosSvS9XEJRZaAdMgAtk4HBnEU4bbVMpk/s400/DSC_0882.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was at this point that John got up and began to demonstrate to the audience what should be happening were the sun not hiding. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4ZKHPtl4pqDuvo0XmMuHmqolyoHUUdcQx02vJIurOwMElNJIUnHOZIJD35oimv8mlWxilVJgC1QnzIXxl9puV7oBYM7EbMxqkyY1LZXM-cFmaUy44T7lAYq-FsUArkKIvPUIFepkyxQ/s1600/DSC_0886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4ZKHPtl4pqDuvo0XmMuHmqolyoHUUdcQx02vJIurOwMElNJIUnHOZIJD35oimv8mlWxilVJgC1QnzIXxl9puV7oBYM7EbMxqkyY1LZXM-cFmaUy44T7lAYq-FsUArkKIvPUIFepkyxQ/s400/DSC_0886.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As John walked around the site making frustrated hand gestures of sunbeams, there was a glimmer of hope on the horizon........ encouraged by the golden glow of the vaporous mass hiding the sun, master mason/musician <a href="http://www.bobbywatt.com/" target="_blank">Bobby Watt </a> began to sing '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6GNEEi7x4c" target="_blank">Here comes the sun'</a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0Yg_mJwO0gVcwwolAVx5PxnNAnKFKW4QkewQ7MxcXUionT2QcjDtFhLpvM9XN-qS9Q-3rAKXX_LiY9XAB2ZjkddhPkDqHAjPZ_8nGZANA_H7xQph3Rtr9z-zbxTVzL3mE20-T5RMXtU/s1600/DSC_0893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0Yg_mJwO0gVcwwolAVx5PxnNAnKFKW4QkewQ7MxcXUionT2QcjDtFhLpvM9XN-qS9Q-3rAKXX_LiY9XAB2ZjkddhPkDqHAjPZ_8nGZANA_H7xQph3Rtr9z-zbxTVzL3mE20-T5RMXtU/s400/DSC_0893.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then as if scripted all along, just as everyone joined Bobby in song, an explosion of light blasted through the cross lighting up the craving. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQldjf2lqhQ3Y4fsNeehnPlBtNw10Hsah2Xj3ZmAcWZZcNCBjwuYSArqQrBBlS_ru8SygN_yMz_l6wSYTbKoyIe89avInSrJ7xjMIi61xPmOS_IZ1n4xG54kvvquOc593smp2MbElM4Ss/s1600/DSC_0901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQldjf2lqhQ3Y4fsNeehnPlBtNw10Hsah2Xj3ZmAcWZZcNCBjwuYSArqQrBBlS_ru8SygN_yMz_l6wSYTbKoyIe89avInSrJ7xjMIi61xPmOS_IZ1n4xG54kvvquOc593smp2MbElM4Ss/s400/DSC_0901.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL29-vkBeQPq1GDrfQUuoX9gi5r0skChPuCQDM0baUasTFDWWVQHdvC6imfTypq4qUV-xIsIWboK5QPk7LSg4FttgSQ72VEpIOqjyzviUm5l1ud4NhsNWZ2PPiXpT_EmYAPk8JRUoJI9w/s1600/DSC_0895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL29-vkBeQPq1GDrfQUuoX9gi5r0skChPuCQDM0baUasTFDWWVQHdvC6imfTypq4qUV-xIsIWboK5QPk7LSg4FttgSQ72VEpIOqjyzviUm5l1ud4NhsNWZ2PPiXpT_EmYAPk8JRUoJI9w/s400/DSC_0895.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun at 18:34 precisely where it should be having just past over the carving.</td></tr>
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With the excited cries from John Bland shouting 'ITS WORKING, ITS WORKING' the spectators threw caution to the wind and bolted straight through the barriers and stormed the structure with excitement. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYb3fn-lpyxTkNPnvmQthMR-3hzSxds4aHJRqQTITAFN3lYyKQmvQ8MCLFryAT7t4tuR3XRUH1RKR2z2yh4MTdkBoV_GHPjwEMCAIQoNUh4WiSKmDMiDVxw_SKXpNZSKK2E6IvI6_-aw/s1600/DSC_0899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYb3fn-lpyxTkNPnvmQthMR-3hzSxds4aHJRqQTITAFN3lYyKQmvQ8MCLFryAT7t4tuR3XRUH1RKR2z2yh4MTdkBoV_GHPjwEMCAIQoNUh4WiSKmDMiDVxw_SKXpNZSKK2E6IvI6_-aw/s400/DSC_0899.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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What an amazing end to a wonderful festival. Never before have I experienced an end to a festival like this, and how could it possibly be topped. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUi_2Dx9yHHuhqrNBPwizMVoYhuycA-F2nJ6oE-Dj5pmzpHRH-faL_29Bq2Y7A-RuRkLC4mb29oUOXoQD4gZ_HLwqVFEC6I4Ks0iux-72pr_7bqblOCbN0vDrM38DpJiUErTClZ4u050/s1600/DSC_0906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUi_2Dx9yHHuhqrNBPwizMVoYhuycA-F2nJ6oE-Dj5pmzpHRH-faL_29Bq2Y7A-RuRkLC4mb29oUOXoQD4gZ_HLwqVFEC6I4Ks0iux-72pr_7bqblOCbN0vDrM38DpJiUErTClZ4u050/s400/DSC_0906.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Who could ever have imagined dry stone walls and their builders having such an impact on a community? A true celebration of a craft at its utmost and a credit to all the truly great wallers that live and work in Canada. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0If0CuvaB4oz7POSrKURY2jI1wH8pLNAjQnG54oa3UtX9zZFp7h0HmiP50z6omZ3ANtjqzX719NtpWZlScEIVJY0VmvF0nvh2NMTNu0L1_hdpNeP4wD93pCqep1gQKPptBxSVh7QDLss/s1600/AI+Wall-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0If0CuvaB4oz7POSrKURY2jI1wH8pLNAjQnG54oa3UtX9zZFp7h0HmiP50z6omZ3ANtjqzX719NtpWZlScEIVJY0VmvF0nvh2NMTNu0L1_hdpNeP4wD93pCqep1gQKPptBxSVh7QDLss/s400/AI+Wall-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo </span><a href="http://www.brianlittlephoto.com/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Brian Little</a></td></tr>
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Following the end of the festival, those who remained on the island returned to <a href="http://lodgeai.com/" target="_blank">The Lodge</a> for one last glorious meal. Then as if planned all along, there just happened to be a blood moon, lunar eclipse happening the same day as well. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvM_fIXBzzGzsyDXbdqGQNAhOYYKbv7CKWSjpXG8zQuc8ahG-guzELkJeiFnXjhKiMsCA9mUf2Qz78W4HbsiEeH12wU68Z3IJK5zVMGrSxtcLdAKkYfWGSyzgD7h4KcoT3GiHxH0KOP30/s1600/DSC_0950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvM_fIXBzzGzsyDXbdqGQNAhOYYKbv7CKWSjpXG8zQuc8ahG-guzELkJeiFnXjhKiMsCA9mUf2Qz78W4HbsiEeH12wU68Z3IJK5zVMGrSxtcLdAKkYfWGSyzgD7h4KcoT3GiHxH0KOP30/s400/DSC_0950.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So with our bellies full of food and a brew in our hands, we returned to the structure in the cover of darkness.</div>
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Perched on cantilevered seats of Amherst stone, our gaze returned to the skies once more to watch the lunar special unfold. </div>
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The festival was deemed by all to be a huge success.</div>
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The attendance over the 3 day festival was estimated to be about 1,200 and was attended by a number of distinguished guests including the Irish Ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Dr. Ray Bassett and his wife, Patricia Bassett, the Honourable Michael Coteau, Minister of Tourism, Sport and Culture for Ontario, Deputy Mayor of Loyalist Township, Ric Bresee and celebrated author, Jane Urquhart.</div>
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An appearance was also made by Canadian comedian and television personality Rick Mercer who filmed a segment for his show The Rick Mercer Report. You can view the clip below. </div>
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Both Dry Stone Canada and The Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland even got a mention in the Ontario parliament. See video clip below</div>
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Right throughout the weekend there was a great scene of festivities, boosted by the Harvest Festival which was also happening over the weekend. Many Irish acts rotated between the dry stone festival site and the Emerald Music Festival site at the harvest festival to make sure that no one on the island was ever more than a few meters away from a fiddle and any time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9urghfk9heZge-WhNXFbJkTAkf18qxKxQJL605EeYPXWPCOAwX2NCl7VYGD_ljx255W5g5x8ObrZViwKV3PDluQDqUAvOgD2pXXs01SCKVTO7A4Z1SpgJRcN2JtLo2fbADcveavizS4E/s1600/IMG_0762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9urghfk9heZge-WhNXFbJkTAkf18qxKxQJL605EeYPXWPCOAwX2NCl7VYGD_ljx255W5g5x8ObrZViwKV3PDluQDqUAvOgD2pXXs01SCKVTO7A4Z1SpgJRcN2JtLo2fbADcveavizS4E/s400/IMG_0762.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Local brewery <a href="http://www.mackinnonbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Mackinnon brothers</a> from just across the water on the mainland in Kingston made sure all the wallers were well lubricated for the weekend by sponsoring plenty of beer for the weekend.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5msPr0tb5UO6dcD_ciEbps-vRkQW4NxQ4HqxHjECK3UxsNVMt_BD2ZcH6B8M2tG3uqtjKBzQ7eNqvrxhTOt7Eevfkot6U3hremgHFIEBZDsHzTeVvPVTMFCcHIzE03w3o5auEbwkkDR4/s1600/MacKinnon+Brothers+Brewing++photo+brian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5msPr0tb5UO6dcD_ciEbps-vRkQW4NxQ4HqxHjECK3UxsNVMt_BD2ZcH6B8M2tG3uqtjKBzQ7eNqvrxhTOt7Eevfkot6U3hremgHFIEBZDsHzTeVvPVTMFCcHIzE03w3o5auEbwkkDR4/s400/MacKinnon+Brothers+Brewing++photo+brian.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andre modeling the festival Tshirt whilst sipping on one of the festivals local beers sponsored by <a href="http://www.mackinnonbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Mackinnon brothers </a>brewery <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo </span><a href="http://www.brianlittlephoto.com/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Brian Little</a><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></td></tr>
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Fellow Irishman (and mighty musician) Dom Keogh who came over especially to take part in the festival summed it up so well that I am going to post his parting reflections on the Monday after the festival, just after he left having helped us tidy up the site in the pouring rain.</div>
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<i>“And so it ends. Even though it lashed out of the</i></div>
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<i>heavens today, and the copes were tough to find, it</i></div>
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<i>was still very hard to leave the site and the island</i></div>
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<i>today! What an amazing weekend. I knew no one</i></div>
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<i>going out there, and I've come back with a load of</i></div>
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<i>new friends and had a hand in creating a magnificent</i></div>
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<i>structure for Amherst Island. Yesterday was just</i></div>
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<i>one of those brilliant days. We got the cross and</i></div>
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<i>wall finished with pure single minded determination,</i></div>
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<i>then just before the sun was ready to align with the</i></div>
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<i>chamber in the cross for 6.30pm, as John Bland had</i></div>
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<i>expertly set out, there was cloud cover!!! We were</i></div>
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<i>all feeling that it might not happen, then Robert Watt</i></div>
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<i>sang "here comes the sun", and the clouds parted</i></div>
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<i>and the beam of sunlight poured through the</i></div>
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<i>chamber to illuminate this carving, and John's very</i></div>
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<i>very proud head! Everyone felt how special the</i></div>
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<i>moment was, especially those of us who had a hand</i></div>
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<i>in building it. Then to top it off, we all returned to</i></div>
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<i>the site that night to watch the lunar eclipse, sitting</i></div>
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<i>on the benches and among the walls we had all</i></div>
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<i>worked on. I can't thank Andre Lemieux enough for</i></div>
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<i>everything he did for me, I couldn't put my hand out</i></div>
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<i>for a second before a hammer, a plate of food, or a</i></div>
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<i>beer was put into it!! And the rest of the lads -</i></div>
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<i>Kenny Davies, Menno Braam, Torben Larsen, Jacob</i></div>
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<i>Murray - to mention a tiny few for making me feel</i></div>
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<i>so welcome and giving me a pain in me sides</i></div>
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<i>laughing. I know I'll end up saying "limestone is</i></div>
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<i>like a mushroom" to someone at home and they'll</i></div>
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<i>think I've lost the plot! And a special thanks to</i></div>
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<i>Sunny Wieler and Ken Curran for the craic, and</i></div>
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<i>doing us proud as ambassadors for the Dry stone</i></div>
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<i>wallers of Ireland. I thought music festivals were</i></div>
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<i>hardcore, not a bloody patch on a Stone fest!!!</i></div>
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<i>Same amount of drinking, but then ur up at 7am</i></div>
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<i>building all day!! :)) I'm fried, inside and out! :))”</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jUKLdGqKyK-H036NCkSIF8AVKJkRI8tll6vh5oRsXaOxGM5lGpSSymKo1bwq3oPjp0SLhaLzou6jkmFTXrtxNNHcO6UAllzz3USt5h_lq9zqZWbumHMKZ535uY2ntrvw8GxRErrYjfI/s1600/IMG_0778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jUKLdGqKyK-H036NCkSIF8AVKJkRI8tll6vh5oRsXaOxGM5lGpSSymKo1bwq3oPjp0SLhaLzou6jkmFTXrtxNNHcO6UAllzz3USt5h_lq9zqZWbumHMKZ535uY2ntrvw8GxRErrYjfI/s320/IMG_0778.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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A local island brewer even made a special brew just for the festival called 'Dry Stone Ale'</div>
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Thanks so much to everyone who made this weekend happen. A special thanks to Dry Stone Canada for inviting me over for the festival. A massive thank you also to Andrea Cross, who was the driving force behind this festival and without her none of this would have been possible. Thank you to the landowner Dayle Gowan who donated the use of his land, for without land to build on we would not have had a feature to leave behind. Thank you also to the Redekops who billeted Ken and myself and made us feel so welcome in their home. </div>
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If you want to keep uptodate with all things dry stone in Canada be sure to check out Dry Stone Canada's website <a href="http://www.drystonecanada.com/">http://www.drystonecanada.com/</a></div>
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If you want to keep uptodate with all things dry stone in Ireland be sure to check out Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland website <a href="http://www.dswai.ie/">http://www.dswai.ie/</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacob Murray Island liaison, John Bland designer of the solar alignment, Dayle Gowan, donator of the land, and Andrea Cross, organizer extraordinaire, celebrating the festival's success. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo </span><a href="http://www.brianlittlephoto.com/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Brian Little</a></td></tr>
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Thanks also to Brian Little for the use of some of his photos for this post. Be sure to check out his work <a href="http://www.brianlittlephoto.com/">http://www.brianlittlephoto.com/</a> You can see all the photos I took over the weekend in the album below. </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/swieler/albums/72157660628423652" title="Dry Stone Festival Amherst Island 2015"><img alt="Dry Stone Festival Amherst Island 2015" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5815/22488404310_23011e7c20.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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After returning home it was wonderful to hear that the sun portal structure has become a regular gathering place for locals to gather to have a glass of wine and watch the sun go down.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdiPisJz6jiNOjES22rDZ-1DrjFnp2xRlbC3vs9JDmUSD4A-9D283f6D9aS-Zilf-WzXrFUbTmU_gGjIGJsGn89DM_RYchoSfR-Gsbha6pIFrDu38BAItEojOn4feVCPSa1O09fJGy7E/s1600/AI+Wall-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdiPisJz6jiNOjES22rDZ-1DrjFnp2xRlbC3vs9JDmUSD4A-9D283f6D9aS-Zilf-WzXrFUbTmU_gGjIGJsGn89DM_RYchoSfR-Gsbha6pIFrDu38BAItEojOn4feVCPSa1O09fJGy7E/s400/AI+Wall-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The section of wall completed by the Islanders after the festival. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo </span><a href="http://www.brianlittlephoto.com/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Brian Little</a></td></tr>
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It was great to hear that the promotion of the craft on the island also resulted in locals putting their newly acquired skills work and adding a extra section of wall to the Irish sampler wall</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSPNYejwnByToMlPplhokXMxC8vCl7d_n29ph4mDQ4KW8lgJFkZWcLtU2uKAeeEiagCQN8sG4ZfqCuik-QpAPFwe7sbI1NuwRSbpi30RXEWKwnqn4N-oYV96Z-cchNt0FifhnNtIF-10/s1600/12186700_10153322973322675_3238672373448649242_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSPNYejwnByToMlPplhokXMxC8vCl7d_n29ph4mDQ4KW8lgJFkZWcLtU2uKAeeEiagCQN8sG4ZfqCuik-QpAPFwe7sbI1NuwRSbpi30RXEWKwnqn4N-oYV96Z-cchNt0FifhnNtIF-10/s400/12186700_10153322973322675_3238672373448649242_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Historic wall repair on the island after the festival. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo </span><a href="http://www.brianlittlephoto.com/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Brian Little</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSPNYejwnByToMlPplhokXMxC8vCl7d_n29ph4mDQ4KW8lgJFkZWcLtU2uKAeeEiagCQN8sG4ZfqCuik-QpAPFwe7sbI1NuwRSbpi30RXEWKwnqn4N-oYV96Z-cchNt0FifhnNtIF-10/s1600/12186700_10153322973322675_3238672373448649242_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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This was followed by an additional dry stone walling workshop that saw one of the island's historic walls repaired. </div>
Stone carvers Tracy Mahaffey and Karin Sprague returned to the Island to give a stone carving workshop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82kHSnVVx6-dMecozS6pno5R5PxU0_UhCQ9EoxKChVfubLkbiAe4KiBRLyf76dH2HYDH9z_WVAxwFbgvvxu80Kogw1Pn7Mo4KzclFXycROOk6iWt7HCttx-qXLZKyutVGTsio-SmRenk/s1600/12186850_10153322974402675_3141652412727066759_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82kHSnVVx6-dMecozS6pno5R5PxU0_UhCQ9EoxKChVfubLkbiAe4KiBRLyf76dH2HYDH9z_WVAxwFbgvvxu80Kogw1Pn7Mo4KzclFXycROOk6iWt7HCttx-qXLZKyutVGTsio-SmRenk/s400/12186850_10153322974402675_3141652412727066759_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone Carving Workshop. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo </span><a href="http://www.brianlittlephoto.com/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Brian Little</a></td></tr>
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So the island's historic dry stone walls look to be in safe hands and are set to continue to have a future on the island. Back at home I have been busy harnessing the sun in a different way for one of my own projects, but that is a story for another day. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWec4linJ1ae-lsjOSZ5VNKEj0u853RuyvqGhz0gvj69lHFVmeH-evh3wAO7wr_S5WUi52j1IZzHQqQN_5-srXwT5myQY0fB2AJEMzt-JTkXfYMIgM7Ym1uea9DL_Vku7vJHq-KSQLFUA/s1600/sundial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWec4linJ1ae-lsjOSZ5VNKEj0u853RuyvqGhz0gvj69lHFVmeH-evh3wAO7wr_S5WUi52j1IZzHQqQN_5-srXwT5myQY0fB2AJEMzt-JTkXfYMIgM7Ym1uea9DL_Vku7vJHq-KSQLFUA/s400/sundial.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-17555293974049960032015-07-09T13:16:00.000+01:002015-07-09T13:16:13.124+01:00Building a courtyard classroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is a look at my latest outdoor classroom project I completed recently. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_bpr3Nx7grn-pN_LK31_IFyu30lTMBrRPfIQJrHGNDI2OQUpWA2iO3jOH2cOPRrbtXx8EBfP7ZhjiEUIQxpTl5joxrDrMnRaZYOl5hVRNOs9FVcAGtNB2l0ShTcfGiZ49Ry9QqOMtBo/s1600/DSC_00z13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_bpr3Nx7grn-pN_LK31_IFyu30lTMBrRPfIQJrHGNDI2OQUpWA2iO3jOH2cOPRrbtXx8EBfP7ZhjiEUIQxpTl5joxrDrMnRaZYOl5hVRNOs9FVcAGtNB2l0ShTcfGiZ49Ry9QqOMtBo/s400/DSC_00z13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
In early 2015 Scoil Mhuire National School in Lucan, Co. Dublin put out a tender to commission a creative outdoor space for the students to utilise for years to come. It was commissioned under the government's <a href="http://www.publicart.ie/main/commissioning/funding/per-cent-for-art/" target="_blank">'Percent for Art Scheme</a>' which allocates 1% of the building cost of any public building to the installation of an art project.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZhTNAAojUZg60UiH2xOljYpCYnviOs-dVrkN3TdH_GRlpH1n3QVcd75WA_wylsxsvEcLhxDDUDqmQBkG8hkYBOP1Lr0UJwBpqVkThOMu39ChZ4v7yUTRxrQg2v8FFiDwKR3Fd_n0_Y0/s1600/kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZhTNAAojUZg60UiH2xOljYpCYnviOs-dVrkN3TdH_GRlpH1n3QVcd75WA_wylsxsvEcLhxDDUDqmQBkG8hkYBOP1Lr0UJwBpqVkThOMu39ChZ4v7yUTRxrQg2v8FFiDwKR3Fd_n0_Y0/s400/kids.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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The school prides itself on its commitment to sport and creativity. Drama and music are very important in the school, and the school wished for this to be reflected in the submission. It was also essential that the children were to be involved in some aspect of the work. </div>
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Having consulted with the children they had recommended that the project have something uniquely Irish. The design must be site specific, and be sympathetic to the local geographical and historic context, with reference to local heritage.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDJR4npSxDNts5i17DYWRDGHobLipPyFoHhhXBpq7v3fSlsByCqjw4vsZjutU6PyvaoP-j0o4rhiBt2OJ9bb7TH8ocwKrPjQhovSDxuum9RtJ7WMsyMYMB40T8n0O2OY4T_H1lhmFwqo/s1600/plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDJR4npSxDNts5i17DYWRDGHobLipPyFoHhhXBpq7v3fSlsByCqjw4vsZjutU6PyvaoP-j0o4rhiBt2OJ9bb7TH8ocwKrPjQhovSDxuum9RtJ7WMsyMYMB40T8n0O2OY4T_H1lhmFwqo/s400/plan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Taking all this on board, my design was based on a space that is both functional as well as sculptural, a structure that is visually inspiring from both the outside and the inside, a place for children to get excited about being in the great outdoors as well as learning about it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjGmNjzj5-PU-FlKhhXe8kJJuSAlSID2yE0HjabL2Id12Vcf-uD76Dr9SQZX5IbvJjW3GJrFvQgPz6pGMlVkEvkleukr7RIeCdg44e5CwVJW2qErqYrcXdampddfupbSn5DB1HiwMrzc/s1600/DSC_0270_1_2_tonemapped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjGmNjzj5-PU-FlKhhXe8kJJuSAlSID2yE0HjabL2Id12Vcf-uD76Dr9SQZX5IbvJjW3GJrFvQgPz6pGMlVkEvkleukr7RIeCdg44e5CwVJW2qErqYrcXdampddfupbSn5DB1HiwMrzc/s400/DSC_0270_1_2_tonemapped.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Uniquely Irish.</div>
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Two ancient and iconic features of the Irish landscape are the dry stone walls that knit much of the landscape together and the ring forts that perch on many of its hilltops.</div>
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This outdoor classroom pays homage to both.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEc4W8_PLLFMY69gGr_EbeYIi5wLBtB3hKQMFPDGmiYjqQYtfajybSYjtbTgrJLc9tNcCII8yi6haXdTKXNDeo_DtvqYxXroj0zEJ607oDQouNOJCOebsgmEy0hXtbf-9DdI23FcExu0Y/s1600/DSC_003z9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEc4W8_PLLFMY69gGr_EbeYIi5wLBtB3hKQMFPDGmiYjqQYtfajybSYjtbTgrJLc9tNcCII8yi6haXdTKXNDeo_DtvqYxXroj0zEJ607oDQouNOJCOebsgmEy0hXtbf-9DdI23FcExu0Y/s400/DSC_003z9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZzm1TVMNdNfxrnH7mhdWtjkmRz59J67fIrWKPon62lI4vj2cfmPSxlhAx8zZ99bHH627q-BWVy6uyebAiELo5GpI7vUb9l4-BURcRZl4ea4-bx6cAhBLXGyYvYM9IlTFkI2yYkPoJW0/s1600/DSC_001z5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZzm1TVMNdNfxrnH7mhdWtjkmRz59J67fIrWKPon62lI4vj2cfmPSxlhAx8zZ99bHH627q-BWVy6uyebAiELo5GpI7vUb9l4-BURcRZl4ea4-bx6cAhBLXGyYvYM9IlTFkI2yYkPoJW0/s400/DSC_001z5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Structure Description</div>
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The main structure consists of a 6 meter wide circle with two entrances with curved timber seating lining the walls. The walls are constructed of dry stone walls that slope in height from 0.5 meters up to 1.2 meters. A second two tiers of seating protrude out from one half of the circle creating additional seating for larger classes as well as creating tiered amphitheatre style seating for events like class plays and class photos. The walls of the outer tiers descend in the opposite direction to the inner walls creating flowing sculptural shapes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFI67YlfzKm9b0XYaMNs8ZRFbZPitQYbVPe8p-vstx9W9FM1CqJcL5I2hT7fNtPvQRobnoDow15uD-5uyGuGkR_QVEyt2Fxhsh-OmS7inaJXKzZzxCuG6KOwO8WLx39MMfJbDnGe2VxzQ/s1600/DSC_0z0182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFI67YlfzKm9b0XYaMNs8ZRFbZPitQYbVPe8p-vstx9W9FM1CqJcL5I2hT7fNtPvQRobnoDow15uD-5uyGuGkR_QVEyt2Fxhsh-OmS7inaJXKzZzxCuG6KOwO8WLx39MMfJbDnGe2VxzQ/s400/DSC_0z0182.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b>Building the courtyard classroom</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1bBI7zXgFMjjyzJj6xwVQG-qbXSMOWZ56-Rk8FfwHpzKBHn2Yu6-XnGPKf_M4N0bG60wjFdpZvTfeh-898lE5SURjgbq7tuDMddaWrXm0B1iswCFzTXfSXbzcLs-JK2a-TaRBCy4MSc/s1600/DSC_0654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1bBI7zXgFMjjyzJj6xwVQG-qbXSMOWZ56-Rk8FfwHpzKBHn2Yu6-XnGPKf_M4N0bG60wjFdpZvTfeh-898lE5SURjgbq7tuDMddaWrXm0B1iswCFzTXfSXbzcLs-JK2a-TaRBCy4MSc/s400/DSC_0654.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXf61ZizPo_XIfANbfWjLyUIVt8W0-0ki_k1CZ0BkQKwLYxGAcyi3FFqtjcuGSccrW_JVEBpNrufsh3sc7g8ub_mxflNzSLv397vcbzZQDififDzKyfq42I7C8DagdhiDL1EseGOq1_1U/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXf61ZizPo_XIfANbfWjLyUIVt8W0-0ki_k1CZ0BkQKwLYxGAcyi3FFqtjcuGSccrW_JVEBpNrufsh3sc7g8ub_mxflNzSLv397vcbzZQDififDzKyfq42I7C8DagdhiDL1EseGOq1_1U/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyUfNFiEXXStPIQS2dvNOCezX3TDyPnSygXGzEgjkTb3J3xtuxb0zp7RJHRFU9dVK49tv3X2UaYSPiSUs60aDEQOgCiD-L4Ej3W8riWfQ4iJE8BGgJveHten0LAuHZV-Evqw43SVNKEw/s1600/IMG_035s7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="92" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyUfNFiEXXStPIQS2dvNOCezX3TDyPnSygXGzEgjkTb3J3xtuxb0zp7RJHRFU9dVK49tv3X2UaYSPiSUs60aDEQOgCiD-L4Ej3W8riWfQ4iJE8BGgJveHten0LAuHZV-Evqw43SVNKEw/s400/IMG_035s7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Built during the spring of 2015 almost every weather condition imaginable was experienced. Fortunately one of the many benefits of building walls dry (free of any mortar) is that you can still work even when it's raining. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DL66j7b5dXLiaDfaXobont83bfg2gu5eICECbeuE9p7DulQpR-uJwZwF7AGhLca9vkR95uU3-y1b3Zb4xgCwkYtz_vBBsamYFrrw4MrQLCndZn9yiAtYGD3yrMsRHlP7PM6mJ_BJgH0/s1600/DSC_06z62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DL66j7b5dXLiaDfaXobont83bfg2gu5eICECbeuE9p7DulQpR-uJwZwF7AGhLca9vkR95uU3-y1b3Zb4xgCwkYtz_vBBsamYFrrw4MrQLCndZn9yiAtYGD3yrMsRHlP7PM6mJ_BJgH0/s400/DSC_06z62.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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One major challenge in this project was the fact that it is a internal courtyard in the school, meaning that everything coming in and out had to be transported by wheelbarrow through the school corridors.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNT1rnXz2iJrgDf8woZ-aGefqELaJi8dgjCj6anXGjpL0Q7XKAH0uvuvHwpZ2bnpMAJo0EHbHlCdy7l5K6gNAniNoyyeyu6S0vRgseq_kDVNLe9EVAh3DH3M6R3o1bMaOAfTul4_S-dE/s1600/IMG_0215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNT1rnXz2iJrgDf8woZ-aGefqELaJi8dgjCj6anXGjpL0Q7XKAH0uvuvHwpZ2bnpMAJo0EHbHlCdy7l5K6gNAniNoyyeyu6S0vRgseq_kDVNLe9EVAh3DH3M6R3o1bMaOAfTul4_S-dE/s320/IMG_0215.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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An estimated 60 ton of material had to be wheelbarrowed into the courtyard through the school. About half of this was the limestone used for the walls. The walls were built with the help of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthStone/107819046036924?fref=ts" target="_blank">Ken Curran,</a> a fellow dry stone waller from Co. Tipperary. </div>
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Another challenge was building the walls themselves due to their shape. Putting a 'batter' (tapering the wall in) on a curved wall is a challenge in itself, but this project had the added dimension in that the wall was also tapering down from a height of 1.2meters down to 0.5 meters. As a result of this the foundation of the wall gets narrower as it goes along. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9vjIlTvT8ni1keaeiKbMvdXn2xQVuFPMDfrmu62LHT69PxIPm06AZHkbfV0SKIxC7ahoLQyCtqEXdZ2RxXxX1nN4SHbT5bOeMjFf2Exi_csIgcVZUUELMNn0sww6CuQecHkHKxXOq5s/s1600/DSC_0537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9vjIlTvT8ni1keaeiKbMvdXn2xQVuFPMDfrmu62LHT69PxIPm06AZHkbfV0SKIxC7ahoLQyCtqEXdZ2RxXxX1nN4SHbT5bOeMjFf2Exi_csIgcVZUUELMNn0sww6CuQecHkHKxXOq5s/s400/DSC_0537.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The dry stone walls of this project are limestone and come from <a href="http://mikekellystone.com/index.html" target="_blank">Mike Kelly's quarry</a> near Knockcrockery in County Roscommon. All the stone was handpicked and bagged at the quarry. Most of the rounded cope stones were shaped in the quarry to reduce the amount of waste material being shipped to the school. Approximately 32 tons of stone was used in the construction of the walls. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-PWneQYCQT7UGUJDT-7BreAO_Nb_rFtknJyfWx0gL2ueYL_20r9G1JYWKjG9TtX2VlwpI5B5pU1jDCDFPEjudpzAEAl9P-ZO2-PGkcJsknvDJutU_MvyDZbVCnySe-7vFSARJivEI7Y/s1600/DSC_0084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-PWneQYCQT7UGUJDT-7BreAO_Nb_rFtknJyfWx0gL2ueYL_20r9G1JYWKjG9TtX2VlwpI5B5pU1jDCDFPEjudpzAEAl9P-ZO2-PGkcJsknvDJutU_MvyDZbVCnySe-7vFSARJivEI7Y/s400/DSC_0084.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<b>'Leamhcán' A river runs through it.</b></div>
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The river Liffey plays a vital role to the creation of the Lucan village as many of its early settlers would have arrived here travelling up the river. In the Irish language, 'leamhcán' means 'place of the elm trees'.</div>
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The name probably comes from people that travelled by river, as Lucan is the first place that elm trees are encountered if travelling inland from the Liffey.</div>
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The paths that lead up from the double doors at either end of the courtyard are inspired by this, made up of leaf shaped patterns that are laid in a flowing pattern to give the effect of elm leaves flowing down the river Liffey. </div>
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This pattern flows from either end of the courtyard, swirling around in the centre of the circle where the two streams meet. The leaves that make up the floor of the classroom are a combination of mosaics made by the students and hand cut leaf shaped stone engravings. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KN46Sxd1Lp2J7hzvCmhEzOLDe7fVyVj-6xQFtj0BUm_Tap7OQt9Km_dqMq8v5wBtr-4qnsI5MX89bwXpja3thRIkLgJg6W5qP94pkIaFAeIYgLZawwZ0EWvdragYQIm7aB3f3rzGl3A/s1600/DSC_00z54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KN46Sxd1Lp2J7hzvCmhEzOLDe7fVyVj-6xQFtj0BUm_Tap7OQt9Km_dqMq8v5wBtr-4qnsI5MX89bwXpja3thRIkLgJg6W5qP94pkIaFAeIYgLZawwZ0EWvdragYQIm7aB3f3rzGl3A/s400/DSC_00z54.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The brief required that the children were to be involved in some aspect of the work. This provided a wonderful opportunity for the students to have their own stamp on the classroom. </div>
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The leaves that make up the floor of the classroom are a combination of mosaics made by the students and hand cut leaf shaped stone engravings. All 414 students in the school got to make their very own leaf tile. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKmvI63LIqRajQ3iqR164yD70DetMGaFRJxNNFLUTvlPpzJZH3S3Ptljiu1yagkNdRAi61ouQ4Hi3iO-lmiV300bGrrMVOiPoYxrG6LXbuGUzdA9weWIOnAyIPzk0kugtpT5N-cDfcTU/s1600/IMG_0339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKmvI63LIqRajQ3iqR164yD70DetMGaFRJxNNFLUTvlPpzJZH3S3Ptljiu1yagkNdRAi61ouQ4Hi3iO-lmiV300bGrrMVOiPoYxrG6LXbuGUzdA9weWIOnAyIPzk0kugtpT5N-cDfcTU/s320/IMG_0339.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The inclusion of a number of large metal flowers by Irish artist <a href="http://wildmetal.ie/" target="_blank">Jack Harte </a>bring additional colour and interest into the space throughout the year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSS1HINtQO-VAsTSiCDquXr5y48xJhFeVsKnADXTtKjDmbEgMd_YP1IYxycqmXsvyrkDdBNWCP0cNKKmLKbJ7ktfc9n37o9t8txE0d5KCcdGkB_9wOnwGa6hX53PZxEwGa_knrjDKWbRY/s1600/DSC_0063-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSS1HINtQO-VAsTSiCDquXr5y48xJhFeVsKnADXTtKjDmbEgMd_YP1IYxycqmXsvyrkDdBNWCP0cNKKmLKbJ7ktfc9n37o9t8txE0d5KCcdGkB_9wOnwGa6hX53PZxEwGa_knrjDKWbRY/s400/DSC_0063-2.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautifully crafted curved timber seats were made by West Cork master carpenter Noel Burke </td></tr>
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Click on the video below to see the making of the project from start to finish.</div>
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<br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JRmLJ2UMVIQ/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JRmLJ2UMVIQ?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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It was wonderful to get to build another outdoor classroom project for students to enjoy. You can see some of the other public projects I have worked on in the "Commissions" section of my website <a href="http://www.stoneart.ie/#!commissions/cklj" target="_blank">here</a> </div>
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Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-9860949845814325422015-07-04T12:08:00.003+01:002015-07-07T19:44:22.989+01:00The Stone Festival season has begun! Stein und Wein Austria<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well the stone festival season is well and truly upon us. </div>
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This year I started my festival season with a trip to Austria's largest wine-producing town, Langenlois. The wine however was just a indulgence and not my main reason for traveling here. And as much as I like a 'dry' white wine, it was in fact the 'dry' stone I was here for. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gartenbauschule Langenlois</td></tr>
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But before I can reminisce about hot weather and cold wine I have to go back to <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2013/07/the-gathering-of-stones-in-heart-of.html" target="_blank">The Gathering of Stones</a> 2013 to when we met Helmut Schieder. </div>
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Helmut attended The Gathering of Stones event in Ireland back 2013 and like many others he left the Gathering of Stones hungry for more. About six months later a number of us from that event were contacted by Helmut and invited to instruct at his 'Stein und Wein' (Stone and Wine) festival in Langenlois.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">ˈVegetation, dry stone walling and geologyˈ </span>Touring the local vineyards of Heiligenstein with Martin Scheuch </td></tr>
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The festival was spread out over an area of the vineyards at Heiligenstein and the grounds of <a href="http://www.gartenbauschule.at/" target="_blank">Gartenbauschule Langenlois</a> horticultural college nearby where Helmut works.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KKH2ArZ6Bifyk2ANxXEfF64_71gnDsk-3rzNqYeYH02JWtSwjgQC1iV-wDvoqHZqoLny8RLM8qT-FVNeHnxSkIV8yzEx2m9GR2mA0pH5IdtdQ5x5-OF8FosUedgyvFlFMao0s4JfQrI/s1600/DSC_0145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KKH2ArZ6Bifyk2ANxXEfF64_71gnDsk-3rzNqYeYH02JWtSwjgQC1iV-wDvoqHZqoLny8RLM8qT-FVNeHnxSkIV8yzEx2m9GR2mA0pH5IdtdQ5x5-OF8FosUedgyvFlFMao0s4JfQrI/s320/DSC_0145.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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The first day of the week long events was a day of talks and presentations by various esteemed academics, architects, engineers from all over Europe as well as a number of talks by various wallers.</div>
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The only barriers at this event were dry stone ones we built, as live translators turned wild Celtic ramblings into coherent Germanic talks and vice versa for us English speaking symposiasts. </div>
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Helmut was keen to open the eyes and the minds of students, teachers, landscape gardeners and architects from across Europe to dry stone walls and also demonstrate that there is more to stone walls than function and aesthetics. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMWwYPoDH4n3qCVCHpjX8yWhadeG8tT9PrkpHfBr7D0BMxUwy9ytb5wAoq6pwZJR5o585SwZQvewCO9CKODB8tuKYgMH25kqnljGViv9urlY2jLlt3YBX4XCCsbOYZ95MPGdMQ7kXBj8/s1600/DSC_0342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMWwYPoDH4n3qCVCHpjX8yWhadeG8tT9PrkpHfBr7D0BMxUwy9ytb5wAoq6pwZJR5o585SwZQvewCO9CKODB8tuKYgMH25kqnljGViv9urlY2jLlt3YBX4XCCsbOYZ95MPGdMQ7kXBj8/s400/DSC_0342.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the instructors team (from left) Sunny Wieler, Kenneth Curran, Helmut Schieder, Nick Aitken, Pat McAfee and Sean Adcock. Missing from this photo is Eddie Farrelly and Rainer Vogler</td></tr>
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On the second day we got stuck into some serious walling.</div>
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There were five different builds on over four days, with groups of students from all over Europe rotating each day to a different wall.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick and Eddie deciding who gets to lay the first stone</td></tr>
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Nick Aitken and Eddie Farrelly worked on a large double sided boulder wall</div>
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The double sided boulder wall was built using local marble rubble and stretched over 22 meters in length. </div>
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They somehow even found time to add two special features. A 'sheep creep' (or a 'lunky' if you're Nick) and a 'stile'.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students learning about Irish walls and Irish stout</td></tr>
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It was a unusually hot week for the time of year while we were there, peaking at about 36°C. Fortunately there was plenty of shade and this lovely natural swimming pool on the grounds to keep us cool.</div>
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Just up from the natural swimming pool Ken Curran and myself were instructing students on constructing a 10 meter section of a traditional Irish 'Feidin' wall using a mix of reclaimed building stone of various stone types. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG604vHtaBlNE3oZRTlcNrNdlI4hBWpIKAhN_HzHvoGMHrtnJ9PwoONxJcfWgCkivkYwvis7rdC8cl7r52_MpZAjnYKmAcp2Uzlz91TlquG8pUU67qG617T1IPW56pebMxio8qmxQnXXA/s1600/DSC_0324+Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG604vHtaBlNE3oZRTlcNrNdlI4hBWpIKAhN_HzHvoGMHrtnJ9PwoONxJcfWgCkivkYwvis7rdC8cl7r52_MpZAjnYKmAcp2Uzlz91TlquG8pUU67qG617T1IPW56pebMxio8qmxQnXXA/s640/DSC_0324+Panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fedin walls are not only aesthetically beautiful but they are also a wonderful wall to build with groups. For those of you unfamiliar with Feidin walls, they are a combination wall of a double wall for the first lift with a single wedged wall on top. This type of Feidin here is know as an Aran Feidin and is particularly poetic with its names for the components. The large uprights are called 'máthair' or 'mother' stones. The small stones between them are 'na páistí' or 'children' with the large vertical stones that protect the top of the wall called 'athair' or father stones. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken Curran inspecting the 'mother' stones</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunny Wieler inspects the 'children' stones in preparation for the cover stones</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First 'father' stones going on the wall</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1hesyIDTNqrWhr_s_zGXMsVx2Bn0b6XFaT3fg-Ee-BNve_jQMaffJwmENECF49P9e4HCLalX9F6mmJGAjfX_lV60irUoLpV2pcIdgQvEshxot0lmiJON9o2OKVnq9kFKHvoG-D-VYlI/s1600/DSC_0409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1hesyIDTNqrWhr_s_zGXMsVx2Bn0b6XFaT3fg-Ee-BNve_jQMaffJwmENECF49P9e4HCLalX9F6mmJGAjfX_lV60irUoLpV2pcIdgQvEshxot0lmiJON9o2OKVnq9kFKHvoG-D-VYlI/s400/DSC_0409.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In another area in the gardens Pat McAfee began work on a 15 meter long wedged retaining wall using the local 'gneiss' stone. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dQX2scoBBQaMq4Q4I0FRmQIbbUWgxk8gSQAdlMR0AIPqPpY4ELQI0YzGk4Q6o_g-p6KmFy9RBYuEm23ZleW_GMujfJ1jkvXiYJIPO2TJB0HMfSqOe-7aCdFIiL6QZnWYuAJ4ckBBjj8/s1600/DSC_0184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dQX2scoBBQaMq4Q4I0FRmQIbbUWgxk8gSQAdlMR0AIPqPpY4ELQI0YzGk4Q6o_g-p6KmFy9RBYuEm23ZleW_GMujfJ1jkvXiYJIPO2TJB0HMfSqOe-7aCdFIiL6QZnWYuAJ4ckBBjj8/s400/DSC_0184.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Pat doodle</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedged retaining wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First course going in</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvqfhS2kvoEEyRU1q5JzGD9MglcHbdFWq4eEy9Pzu8f7TzvEc573ePdg_UOD5bED8ZbR8C7PUYww0FZxeofdnayBUPGsrkM84Mnt7qC80Ii2fAJyXq7FnLqwhCKoKAMWqskxOOXl1aRo/s1600/DSC_0274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvqfhS2kvoEEyRU1q5JzGD9MglcHbdFWq4eEy9Pzu8f7TzvEc573ePdg_UOD5bED8ZbR8C7PUYww0FZxeofdnayBUPGsrkM84Mnt7qC80Ii2fAJyXq7FnLqwhCKoKAMWqskxOOXl1aRo/s400/DSC_0274.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students frantically build shade as the master mason is shielded from the sun with an umbrella. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-qIEva-dN-K4spQr7NmyVOEu9zSpcCk5o1ntIgikJJH-i3qbJNc4DWsY83VGFAV2VClby2n3Ceg_IJsbhXA8FcaO0xNgYHoHdNlnpOaNsolbanD1hDAJRomK9EL0PrNubzsVuYfhBo0/s1600/DSC_0191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-qIEva-dN-K4spQr7NmyVOEu9zSpcCk5o1ntIgikJJH-i3qbJNc4DWsY83VGFAV2VClby2n3Ceg_IJsbhXA8FcaO0xNgYHoHdNlnpOaNsolbanD1hDAJRomK9EL0PrNubzsVuYfhBo0/s400/DSC_0191.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pat tests the taps</td></tr>
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Working in that heat and dust sure is thirsty work. One hot evening we were treated to some creamy pints of 'dust remover' (AKA Guinness) that Helmut brought in especially for the Irish masons. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNROy-ApTuknnGmWdbYywBXxFMpCkFv00YJUXHRIrQflVIVCAf4byljoZJo_md0fymrqTqJnAt9EUBkMoEOv_ixijjTkuYjFsGCqa20jkbtuWPmOmXy4WlSGH9FNZGz9CxjHE1vZd32o/s1600/DSC_0319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNROy-ApTuknnGmWdbYywBXxFMpCkFv00YJUXHRIrQflVIVCAf4byljoZJo_md0fymrqTqJnAt9EUBkMoEOv_ixijjTkuYjFsGCqa20jkbtuWPmOmXy4WlSGH9FNZGz9CxjHE1vZd32o/s400/DSC_0319.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Clawdd</td></tr>
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Just up the hill from Pat's wall, Sean Adcock was building a epic 30 meter long Clawdd (roughly pronounced as clouth). A Clawdd is not to be confused of course with cloud computing! I know no one really understands where that data goes but I assure you it is not in a Clawdd. </div>
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A Clawdd is a type of stone faced earth bank commonly found in North Wales consisting of tightly wedged small stones. For this Clawdd Sean used local river rock.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeHWnWqU85MnqugN5iaMb8EUV2nseteMpLlQXj4ak3HgEZqeCHGG-xzfbHV-V-HfyUbvQmJlLSn6piLInW7NivzKuW1nDdXerWiMao4kS71JaeO8-M1WCPqZAsxuXALloLEy3qiYF30g/s1600/DSC_0166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeHWnWqU85MnqugN5iaMb8EUV2nseteMpLlQXj4ak3HgEZqeCHGG-xzfbHV-V-HfyUbvQmJlLSn6piLInW7NivzKuW1nDdXerWiMao4kS71JaeO8-M1WCPqZAsxuXALloLEy3qiYF30g/s400/DSC_0166.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmq01cdjUxAkzMtj0jKEpGrJE5WMKCoH32wI72nRZLyKKKBxgh63drzCO3gtaZ-lSh2foCue_6LxCSm4i3LY8BoU2rlnduaz70QjP1kQvaMRLuFZxbBr0QaGxBnIQx4dHdk_WX5Mrmgc/s1600/DSC_0286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmq01cdjUxAkzMtj0jKEpGrJE5WMKCoH32wI72nRZLyKKKBxgh63drzCO3gtaZ-lSh2foCue_6LxCSm4i3LY8BoU2rlnduaz70QjP1kQvaMRLuFZxbBr0QaGxBnIQx4dHdk_WX5Mrmgc/s400/DSC_0286.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we can see the wall climbing over half a 'Brenda' high</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjCXRO9MrBPvy-O65JF7vDu6OrCxwLARMswrHS_xhuk-oHtvZICF_o6_dHAM6GJGa1bwXBjv5q8LRGtZH8Wx5bVsi2H0GrPPTYenZJn_ke3NgZ416mzSg0qul7pGzwe-3GQve0D1FmhI/s1600/DSC02509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjCXRO9MrBPvy-O65JF7vDu6OrCxwLARMswrHS_xhuk-oHtvZICF_o6_dHAM6GJGa1bwXBjv5q8LRGtZH8Wx5bVsi2H0GrPPTYenZJn_ke3NgZ416mzSg0qul7pGzwe-3GQve0D1FmhI/s400/DSC02509.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLJXEeRVHEX1OgyXPejR2zPH3543Mn4Y1K0S_6euGsPeALOje2dXNYdaq93xHEl6DbwAu0Q0_L0CjPjsGn33mfNgLH4mVptCh8EcX1DwSC21SGUGjBqlBHH_ySRHJaWQzM_xSZGhZkDs/s1600/DSC_0318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLJXEeRVHEX1OgyXPejR2zPH3543Mn4Y1K0S_6euGsPeALOje2dXNYdaq93xHEl6DbwAu0Q0_L0CjPjsGn33mfNgLH4mVptCh8EcX1DwSC21SGUGjBqlBHH_ySRHJaWQzM_xSZGhZkDs/s400/DSC_0318.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A section of the completed Clawdd</td></tr>
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The final build undertaken by students was the reconstruction of the walls at of the vineyard at Heiligenstein.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8HcxB389gnYCrUj0dkrEZpwKsfNNM5pdXHevkevHAky0KCumAxcJff8HlcuSerQxTljSF9xpeTvoPT-bQsxEOUDBrVfmrGgAiH-8fBtJdCu_HwWfeC3mdOgK-HQXdClewpOK_iC6s28/s1600/DSC_0356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8HcxB389gnYCrUj0dkrEZpwKsfNNM5pdXHevkevHAky0KCumAxcJff8HlcuSerQxTljSF9xpeTvoPT-bQsxEOUDBrVfmrGgAiH-8fBtJdCu_HwWfeC3mdOgK-HQXdClewpOK_iC6s28/s400/DSC_0356.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heiligenstein </td></tr>
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The Heiligenstein is one of Austria’s most famed vineyards. This hillside vineyard was first mentioned in the Zwettl abbey register of 1280 as “Hellenstein”, or hell stone, because it was a mountain on which the sun “burns like hell”. It was later renamed Heiligenstein, or “holy rock”, in possibly in an early form of political correctness.<a href="http://www.winewisdom.com/articles/heiligenstein-and-primary-rock/" style="font-size: x-small;" target="_blank">ref. [1]</a></div>
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The Heiligenstein is a unique geological formation – a geological island – within Europe, dating to the Permian period some 250 to 270 million years ago, comprising an extrusion of desert sandstone with volcanic and carboniferous conglomerates.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBTZiKmz6HXT8Kbwha2XIXsehL11WPZWKqKT9c68aI6r-e6pyyAVuzvShDGVQY7bAkOvK6Zp01Rw8it3zAQTJGt4-zFAg7KBc6ibzDmxE-Mr4W-c6zkFmo6l9aqW265MyReEwjitaenA/s1600/DSC_0382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBTZiKmz6HXT8Kbwha2XIXsehL11WPZWKqKT9c68aI6r-e6pyyAVuzvShDGVQY7bAkOvK6Zp01Rw8it3zAQTJGt4-zFAg7KBc6ibzDmxE-Mr4W-c6zkFmo6l9aqW265MyReEwjitaenA/s400/DSC_0382.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here in the vineyard, Austria's 'Mr Stone' Rainer Vogler instructed students in building the local traditional retaining walls with that local stone as well as building a new seating terrace with a special feature around the natural spring that runs there even on the dryest summers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg623oubCOZo9x9KwinNY7emdj11ju1OBFIUf1PCcD2WF8AFjZxez3dnMNDP7Is6rsK4wVHIKCVgv2SUxbLl1uqS4JM-qo5xP0Jx8QAwtIQpDkQ0FF7ABeUG4PwzGkPfpW6kYwEYkHAoA8/s1600/DSC_0392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg623oubCOZo9x9KwinNY7emdj11ju1OBFIUf1PCcD2WF8AFjZxez3dnMNDP7Is6rsK4wVHIKCVgv2SUxbLl1uqS4JM-qo5xP0Jx8QAwtIQpDkQ0FF7ABeUG4PwzGkPfpW6kYwEYkHAoA8/s400/DSC_0392.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here students built more than 40 meters of wall over the week.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBINJJxtaNKlBEyn_z6o2THiZpSqnOplw20xX_s_V_cSJbIn6DzK7wFdQIC5swvv7ShqL6xrM3VPdHs1863SeOFNErXhyphenhyphen5XS6G2rT5VQvijdOPQdyFc79RA7lWUij459e-UDiIDU3pXXk/s1600/DSC_0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBINJJxtaNKlBEyn_z6o2THiZpSqnOplw20xX_s_V_cSJbIn6DzK7wFdQIC5swvv7ShqL6xrM3VPdHs1863SeOFNErXhyphenhyphen5XS6G2rT5VQvijdOPQdyFc79RA7lWUij459e-UDiIDU3pXXk/s400/DSC_0213.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYvUvG2WGzVxEe5HRnEUPSFdGq60DZP51WwtlWCO3lHaq4lBiKpXMQ5VDHTlDBie4s0-PhR5uQyE_I1Ld1IYzfETSCqlv1WMVk2P2vjFhB_WPJl4GuZENjVIctO5i0lPeH8rd8wGfpsY/s1600/DSC_0405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYvUvG2WGzVxEe5HRnEUPSFdGq60DZP51WwtlWCO3lHaq4lBiKpXMQ5VDHTlDBie4s0-PhR5uQyE_I1Ld1IYzfETSCqlv1WMVk2P2vjFhB_WPJl4GuZENjVIctO5i0lPeH8rd8wGfpsY/s400/DSC_0405.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional vineyard hut built by students under Rainer direction a few years ago. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhment-loyljbe_kLNLLzKFiIK_hkhH7VZ76c6rgpzlZdrybJ2OTjfi0t6wYAlsAPtL39KSWRr524dhJZejRxQg_E5rBph-03tWyyZ-OjHkK6Tbm7q3TyaaJjt0AfuE4bZ_4po444avWLg/s1600/DSC_0389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhment-loyljbe_kLNLLzKFiIK_hkhH7VZ76c6rgpzlZdrybJ2OTjfi0t6wYAlsAPtL39KSWRr524dhJZejRxQg_E5rBph-03tWyyZ-OjHkK6Tbm7q3TyaaJjt0AfuE4bZ_4po444avWLg/s400/DSC_0389.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It is easy to see that like many locals, Helmut is proud of his regions rich culture and heritage. This was the second major driving factor in organising this event, as he wished to show the people from Germany, Switzerland, France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and those from other parts of Austria who attended the event the rich and colourful heritage they have here. Not to mention some seriously tasty wines. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0A9oSwWUuJcTT-99H1uMrqD1efI3zR2rks-2ZFbimRgWqi_moKAytiztLouqaia41Ko9cCougg-gfw8CvLUWeWLPQUFl7VsChE-vmwZyLSCKkIYf7m1Rm7CX22m5jHLwcro1V7F9NR6c/s1600/DSC_0206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0A9oSwWUuJcTT-99H1uMrqD1efI3zR2rks-2ZFbimRgWqi_moKAytiztLouqaia41Ko9cCougg-gfw8CvLUWeWLPQUFl7VsChE-vmwZyLSCKkIYf7m1Rm7CX22m5jHLwcro1V7F9NR6c/s400/DSC_0206.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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During the course of the week as well as on the last day of the festival we visited a number of the local wine makers and vineyards for some wine tasting and tours. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyuobFC9RA4t5-1fAWt_oX9kQy8aUAzpH8dZEVaoCFqOq-_yU1vuoeW1YhqdEg2FZVGiWdtqOX8FhGZqRlMLaVsMxax34rwN9QUcOPEBekk4pDn0SbGUcA5HLbtdGZ7g9e5UUWYpDa-0/s1600/DSC_0237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyuobFC9RA4t5-1fAWt_oX9kQy8aUAzpH8dZEVaoCFqOq-_yU1vuoeW1YhqdEg2FZVGiWdtqOX8FhGZqRlMLaVsMxax34rwN9QUcOPEBekk4pDn0SbGUcA5HLbtdGZ7g9e5UUWYpDa-0/s400/DSC_0237.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmE5oWZKaeaIrQMncyb-k5A8dGr1t7-hZLgOx3X8GH4syQGK3srjOlHkWgxg1rWzUg06ajaFZOLPAW_dSz-JYjaovIHRgH4oZxImccTu1oGX4-l-VZ3sMgyuaPtMlVc8YLkg2t21gcRk/s1600/DSC_0239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmE5oWZKaeaIrQMncyb-k5A8dGr1t7-hZLgOx3X8GH4syQGK3srjOlHkWgxg1rWzUg06ajaFZOLPAW_dSz-JYjaovIHRgH4oZxImccTu1oGX4-l-VZ3sMgyuaPtMlVc8YLkg2t21gcRk/s400/DSC_0239.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuk-MIRSckXS_U4aDAN2ny2F_mshAbyMkGO5F5P7d5t9yFJcmwfsnci0m8hjAtNlPA0UUEoAZBpiGbexJwz9ALnH29zA-7NiH6nVOxtptit3RMF2PEe0d-1439Pxjh2geamiLxUSB5cC4/s1600/DSC_0234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuk-MIRSckXS_U4aDAN2ny2F_mshAbyMkGO5F5P7d5t9yFJcmwfsnci0m8hjAtNlPA0UUEoAZBpiGbexJwz9ALnH29zA-7NiH6nVOxtptit3RMF2PEe0d-1439Pxjh2geamiLxUSB5cC4/s400/DSC_0234.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGOswP-PZS6pSQvRxCUX8KXapo5l44iWUIWMgCyNVekRyvont1FpdSErgkSkZdmt8sKP5s4DB65oFjUM6oGEMJ6qshHxlLNCL-9yVW4IgLANA26fW6yF4XzNfzxfvI0ki2F9ebfoO-PY/s1600/DSC_0429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGOswP-PZS6pSQvRxCUX8KXapo5l44iWUIWMgCyNVekRyvont1FpdSErgkSkZdmt8sKP5s4DB65oFjUM6oGEMJ6qshHxlLNCL-9yVW4IgLANA26fW6yF4XzNfzxfvI0ki2F9ebfoO-PY/s400/DSC_0429.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Domäne Winery</td></tr>
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One of the trips made on the last day was to The Domäne winery in the Wachau. The Domäne is deeply rooted in the Wachau region. Close to 440 hectares of vineyards are cultivated by the members of this quality-oriented cooperative – that makes 30 percent of the entire Wachau vineyard area. These vineyards are found on steep terraces reinforced by old dry stone walls that are part of a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyW1Di6wggzPapNMhE4HvXyBoiBHnNgu3GAbkZwp8A5R6H3c9ANz9R3_IA3NTK63wZHHBL0oHDBdKW29N7E3RCZZVyIMQ_Ozelwi8id3EyE7usGpsgjLnznImBRnnYPjyVyskpgKRyUdU/s1600/DSC_0440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyW1Di6wggzPapNMhE4HvXyBoiBHnNgu3GAbkZwp8A5R6H3c9ANz9R3_IA3NTK63wZHHBL0oHDBdKW29N7E3RCZZVyIMQ_Ozelwi8id3EyE7usGpsgjLnznImBRnnYPjyVyskpgKRyUdU/s400/DSC_0440.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3czEkLZ3R_MbzHF-21zhrw_-sxKJcgLYf6Digeqn1jroXETUkswuFvM8-IW4G09xLNgxf6VQynNBy8RwS5-z6IAEx7qiDs1e_LPvyd-TEamIYj0HJoshPSzM5W5WXem_hQjxZvJnLegk/s1600/DSC_0442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3czEkLZ3R_MbzHF-21zhrw_-sxKJcgLYf6Digeqn1jroXETUkswuFvM8-IW4G09xLNgxf6VQynNBy8RwS5-z6IAEx7qiDs1e_LPvyd-TEamIYj0HJoshPSzM5W5WXem_hQjxZvJnLegk/s400/DSC_0442.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">There is a long tradition here in the vineyards of tapping pins to the face of the wall to stabilize stones being pushed out by the forces behind. This tradition seems to has passed over to their new builds as well where pinnings in the face of the wall are common practice. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qxIu7Og31ueEpOHvu5IFfc0c9xwmKXlIF4GekNsKHMSDAa3yBcbf4KyAbg-eXe8d8ImH8PbTuGee49kQydAR8xVbs-NRrN2ji1JDFiaXb7aZkUO28lvnmdmyiIGWa8O7EOgbG5nnAEk/s1600/DSC_0441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qxIu7Og31ueEpOHvu5IFfc0c9xwmKXlIF4GekNsKHMSDAa3yBcbf4KyAbg-eXe8d8ImH8PbTuGee49kQydAR8xVbs-NRrN2ji1JDFiaXb7aZkUO28lvnmdmyiIGWa8O7EOgbG5nnAEk/s400/DSC_0441.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Climbing the old dry stone terraces at the </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The Domäne </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">vineyard</span></td></tr>
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And it was at the top of these steps that our tour ended as not long after our tour guide Rainer told us about the freak downpours of heavy rain and massive hailstones that sometimes happen here. We got a live rendition and got completely drenched from head to toe.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPphCsmWEskjkUi6QsiYwBZxiXikTLJHjfjkD3hwPDbrIcjInAL4bbow2wNg-P_YeFgD2hSOje6FPbB2qyzfDxYJeVJ4pJhpObV8SUMglIXM6AA-qC28ISmCjCSB6z7qnZtbm8-APEnvI/s1600/DSC_0415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPphCsmWEskjkUi6QsiYwBZxiXikTLJHjfjkD3hwPDbrIcjInAL4bbow2wNg-P_YeFgD2hSOje6FPbB2qyzfDxYJeVJ4pJhpObV8SUMglIXM6AA-qC28ISmCjCSB6z7qnZtbm8-APEnvI/s400/DSC_0415.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And with that our festival came to a close. With over 220 tons of stone used during the week by participants from right across Europe, the festival was a huge success. It was also a quite unique festival in that students got an opportunity to work on such a variety of projects over just one week. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZAN2zEVyd4iMiZzr_tQzhRGWVhIgz9tiAlqtWzO4RXtscpljQsoLu8X31Rs2XGoVNOra3OfD0JNlaSq4oTFqQrZmKlvCt_NOsUQFmIVysRHnanplXz7HGGndJPymuDyBYyPpw079kvk/s1600/DSC_0257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZAN2zEVyd4iMiZzr_tQzhRGWVhIgz9tiAlqtWzO4RXtscpljQsoLu8X31Rs2XGoVNOra3OfD0JNlaSq4oTFqQrZmKlvCt_NOsUQFmIVysRHnanplXz7HGGndJPymuDyBYyPpw079kvk/s400/DSC_0257.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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With that I would like to thank Helmut and the team at <a href="http://www.gartenbauschule.at/" target="_blank">Gartenbauschule Langenlois</a> for putting together such a fantastic event and for looking after us all so well. And we all hope to be back again in the near future. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOn772UCdrRzb1bYscCifWFt4m9r3W0RPQtAvizwjbFhcId2HA86LLlFoINNUy8APej0IpNcqnzc7ZOu4f7bnTAIYGHaPKyf5Z4DkrSUp0K4d6Qe3ypsIOZLZJVI2kPVhOneZm7_6S0Y/s1600/DSC_0205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOn772UCdrRzb1bYscCifWFt4m9r3W0RPQtAvizwjbFhcId2HA86LLlFoINNUy8APej0IpNcqnzc7ZOu4f7bnTAIYGHaPKyf5Z4DkrSUp0K4d6Qe3ypsIOZLZJVI2kPVhOneZm7_6S0Y/s400/DSC_0205.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Let the festival season continue. </span></b></div>
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The weekend after Stone & Wine was the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tirconnell-Stone-Festival/524512484324157?fref=ts" target="_blank">Tír Ċonaill Stone Festival</a> in Glencolmcille, Co. Donegal. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQqSE4FcEdPkzxFvAUg7hLxDEbhbWbDFE8bxh-E0HGxcORW7enDgESSlggX3mX49hzndw3Thjws6fW6LH3Yas5oB2qmQ5gqzieQPiY1nagnDZszGtytv-GSc6vQUnkeijK-TSZjHCTyg/s1600/Poster2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQqSE4FcEdPkzxFvAUg7hLxDEbhbWbDFE8bxh-E0HGxcORW7enDgESSlggX3mX49hzndw3Thjws6fW6LH3Yas5oB2qmQ5gqzieQPiY1nagnDZszGtytv-GSc6vQUnkeijK-TSZjHCTyg/s400/Poster2015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Unfortunately I was unable to make it due to work commitments but the festival was a huge success.</div>
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You can read more about the festival <a href="http://fragglebean.blogspot.ie/2015/06/large-crowd-attend-tirconnell-stone.html" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the great work done during the Tír Ċonaill Stone Festival </td></tr>
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A few other festivals I look forward to attending this summer are:</div>
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Modern Builds, Traditional Skills Stone event- 25th - 26th July at<a href="http://www.caravantasia.com/" target="_blank"> Caravantasia</a>, Crohane, Killenaule, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Full info and bookings <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/modern-builds-traditional-skills-tickets-17159947866" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a></div>
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The annual pilgrimage to Féile na gCloch (Festival of Stone) on Inis Oirr on the Aran Islands will be on 17th - 21st September this year. More info on this<b> <a href="http://www.dswai.ie/#!feile-na-gcloch/ct8i" target="_blank">here</a></b></div>
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And to round it off for the year I will be going to <a href="http://www.drystonecanada.com/" target="_blank">The Dry Stone Walling Association of Canada</a>'s dry stone festival from September 25 - 27th on Amherst Island in Lake Ontario, Canada.</div>
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You can find out more about this event and register to be there with us <b><a href="http://www.drystonecanada.com/2015-amherst-island-dry-stone-festival.html" target="_blank">here</a> </b></div>
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Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-64664486876389108672015-04-26T12:36:00.000+01:002015-04-26T12:36:26.862+01:00Weekend Mosaic workshop with Stone Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsFofhPIrK2wuQ4c6bB4a1pI9SGtRtPtRR6pDXNxFfb0nHdxpz55lCss3pUusMZ3d5eF9x7vVFfyyS9xHa1WHXe8Oq9Xe6XS4gaZWLFmxlYQsXZRrRB3JibsgK584neZUO-DUzaBwhyk/s1600/mosaicc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsFofhPIrK2wuQ4c6bB4a1pI9SGtRtPtRR6pDXNxFfb0nHdxpz55lCss3pUusMZ3d5eF9x7vVFfyyS9xHa1WHXe8Oq9Xe6XS4gaZWLFmxlYQsXZRrRB3JibsgK584neZUO-DUzaBwhyk/s1600/mosaicc.jpg" height="236" width="400" /></a></div>
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I will be running a weekend mosaic workshop at my studio in Donabate, Co. Dublin the 23rd-24th of May.</div>
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Open to all levels of experience.</div>
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Learn a new skill and create a piece of art for your home or garden in the process.</div>
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If you have a larger project in mind, and need help getting started this workshop is a great way to get you on the right track.</div>
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What does the workshop involve?</div>
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Workshop will involve:</div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Introduction to mosaicing materials and tools.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Introduction to the design process.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Looking at different mosaicing processes.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Coming up with a design for your project.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Creating your masterpiece.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Introduction to grouts and grouting</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Grouting and finishing your work of art to take home with you. </li>
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Workshop includes all materials needed. Teas & Coffees included. Bring a packed lunch.</div>
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<b>Weekend workshop cost €180. Discounts available for group bookings. Limited spaces available. Booking essential. See bottom of page to book.</b></div>
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Subject to demand, open studio days can be arranged for students who wish to carry on working on their projects. €45 pp (use of workspace and tools only) materials not included.</div>
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Studio located 10 minutes from Dublin airport and just 5 minutes outside Donabate village. For those wishing to use public transport there is a train station in Donabate village and I am happy to come pick you up there and bring you to the studio if pre arranged.</div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2374.7104272467127!2d-6.141790800000037!3d53.4736351!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x48671a47e3e4da01%3A0xbda8955b7ecf45!2sCorballis+Cottages%2C+Donabate%2C+Co.+Dublin!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sie!4v1430044907205" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe>
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<b>Weekend workshop cost €180. Discounts available for group bookings. Limited spaces available. Booking essential. </b></div>
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Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-43384840538425455622014-12-01T11:31:00.001+00:002016-12-06T13:01:11.875+00:00Stone books for Christmas<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stone related books make great presents for your stone mad friends. Here are a few stone related books I recommend checking out if you are looking for some great christmas presents. Just remember if you're planning on ordering your books online, get ordering soon to be sure you receive them before Christmas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Most of the links provided have free worldwide shipping. Some of the books need to be ordered from the artist's direct but I have added these links also. The prices I have shown are correct as of time of writing this post. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So in no particular order here are my recommendations for Christmas 2016:</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A Legacy in Stone… The Artistry of Andreas Kunert</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Andreas Kunert is a stone artist based in Victoria, Canada. He has a substantial and impressive portfolio of work. Much of his work has gone completely viral on the internet, popping up all over the place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This book is a lovely catalogue of much of his work and a great addition to your bookshelf. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Order this book <a href="http://www.ancientartofstone.com/a-legacy-in-stone-the-artistry-of-andreas-kunert/" target="_blank">here</a> through the artists website </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Price $45.00 plus P&P</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Andy Goldsworthy Project</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Andy Goldsworthy's beautiful ephemeral artworks have been rendered timeless in numerous photographic records. This book deals with Goldsworthy's work in nearly twenty years, and underscores the artists permanent output since 1984.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Many of his great stone creations are in this book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A lovely chunky coffee table book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Click on the link below to buy with free worldwide shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Price: €33.44 (including shipping and 20% off via the link below)</span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/qakfyka" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://tinyurl.com/qakfyka</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Andy Goldsworthy : Enclosure</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Reflecting Goldsworthy's lifelong interest in the landscape of the British Isles, its history, and the people who work on it, Enclosure is a collection of ephemeral work that relates to sheep, including many of his dry stone enclosures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A lovely chunky coffee table book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Click on the link below to buy with free worldwide shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Price: €33.99 (including shipping and 43% off via the link below)</span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/jt38a4u" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://tinyurl.com/jt38a4u</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0ZV4dffUOUbpHc-JT_p8pXFk7TQwyI5EVhcpREzm1bbtfUEsUjTAsHLjSrtNJLvM6cFG1iGi71eCHDnIbU8WyFetuXuw0FcL_2x6odOvUFlYTrLCoTX9_QmRXJ7B3hbkR3VJcmU6QFg/s1600/9781586854430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0ZV4dffUOUbpHc-JT_p8pXFk7TQwyI5EVhcpREzm1bbtfUEsUjTAsHLjSrtNJLvM6cFG1iGi71eCHDnIbU8WyFetuXuw0FcL_2x6odOvUFlYTrLCoTX9_QmRXJ7B3hbkR3VJcmU6QFg/s1600/9781586854430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0ZV4dffUOUbpHc-JT_p8pXFk7TQwyI5EVhcpREzm1bbtfUEsUjTAsHLjSrtNJLvM6cFG1iGi71eCHDnIbU8WyFetuXuw0FcL_2x6odOvUFlYTrLCoTX9_QmRXJ7B3hbkR3VJcmU6QFg/s1600/9781586854430.jpg" width="297" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Stone by Design: The Artistry of Lew French</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">More than 125 gorgeous photographs showcase the beauty of award-winning stonemason Lew French's work in eight different homes, illustrating how rounded fieldstone, gray slate, rough granite, and even curvy driftwood can be incorporated into stunning pieces of functional art. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I did a blog post on his work a while back which you can read <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2010/03/stone-master-lew-french.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Click on the link below to buy with free worldwide shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Price: €29.37 (including shipping via the link below)</span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/n3r8cch" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://tinyurl.com/n3r8cch</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGX97W9_cRJX3rqF23dZabYUxpcEmAkX6nCspyoQ3BkP4Alci_Xjpe2LQiDEWq8dKKa4wrCZ-WC19s9b1AptChu8qgQoPnR2S_sBmg_mTXkftAFLufZO6s3Sj8g3gf39R6j3G9uWkDzLM/s1600/51iIz5RDh-L._SX258_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGX97W9_cRJX3rqF23dZabYUxpcEmAkX6nCspyoQ3BkP4Alci_Xjpe2LQiDEWq8dKKa4wrCZ-WC19s9b1AptChu8qgQoPnR2S_sBmg_mTXkftAFLufZO6s3Sj8g3gf39R6j3G9uWkDzLM/s320/51iIz5RDh-L._SX258_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="263" /></span></a></div>
<b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lew French's new book</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Released just this summer, this second book on Lew French's most recent designs includes works like the huge outdoor water feature at an office building near Boston. A residential landscape on Chappaquiddick, as well as his own retreat home in the mountains of Brazil. Also featured are his framed art pieces, puzzled together from rock and driftwood</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Fans of natural building and all kinds of masonry will be more than impressed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I did a blog post on his work a while back which you can read <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2010/03/stone-master-lew-french.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Click on the link below to buy with free worldwide shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Price: €24.90 (including shipping and 11% off via the link below)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/j6hll2h" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/j6hll2h</a><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></span><br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dan Snow: Listening to Stone</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrvHKkWG2ecVr8bF3kPDxbpJTyMsB5xFzSAT7LEi7pXP6_9uCBGs9WtNytkmcjCmmPF4onJnGuIrl97xmemFHhVhUeuwAgwr20rb0vjgIeSY_SGn1KcRHUTHFbL-iVSRBlpZDKTbsBI4/s1600/51jFEovdyCL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrvHKkWG2ecVr8bF3kPDxbpJTyMsB5xFzSAT7LEi7pXP6_9uCBGs9WtNytkmcjCmmPF4onJnGuIrl97xmemFHhVhUeuwAgwr20rb0vjgIeSY_SGn1KcRHUTHFbL-iVSRBlpZDKTbsBI4/s1600/51jFEovdyCL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="223" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Listening to Stone is Dan Snows follow up to his first book In the Company of Stone. In this second book Dan once again proves that he is not just one of America's premier artisans, but also one of our most articulate voices on the natural world and our relationship to it. Peter Mauss's tactile photographs of Snow's artistry are matched by the artisan's quietly compelling prose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Click on the link below to buy with free worldwide shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Price: €18.97 (including shipping and 11% off via the link below)</span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/o9ztlq7" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://tinyurl.com/o9ztlq7</span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Complete Pebble Mosaic Handbook</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIMPO1vmedk8UAKeKr3BrG2vQaL2I_bH1c6Fc2Ogr-mr8zxrt1GjWuX8VHHEID0KOrKKfMlkoa7NntXSFkHMXH7tJhodyfi-l6ntvPAvHPiYhmrqXQohq5ee5ks5hUZkCQ5KESC7g60I/s1600/6126zKjTmgL._SY344_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIMPO1vmedk8UAKeKr3BrG2vQaL2I_bH1c6Fc2Ogr-mr8zxrt1GjWuX8VHHEID0KOrKKfMlkoa7NntXSFkHMXH7tJhodyfi-l6ntvPAvHPiYhmrqXQohq5ee5ks5hUZkCQ5KESC7g60I/s320/6126zKjTmgL._SY344_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="236" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maggy Howarth is one of the world's foremost pebble mosaic experts, known for the innovative traditional and contemporary designs she has used to create outdoor mosaics around the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This new edition is updated, revised and expanded by 32 pages to incorporate many new inspirational designs from the author's studio, Cobblestone Designs, including an experiment in 3-D, spirals and roundels, and large mosaic designs for community spaces. There is also a special section that explores pebble mosaics as a decorative art throughout history.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The book provides practical step-by-step instructions for creating mosaics using traditional and modern materials, tools and techniques. The 400 beautiful color photographs and illustrations offer inspiration and make this a stunning how-to book and wish-book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Click on the link below to buy with free worldwide shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Price: €31.39 (including shipping and 6% off via the link below)</span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/hv8kg29" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://tinyurl.com/hv8kg29</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Corbelled Domes</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkN2mNwNuS28S80sJU6G1VPGtq1HOzJES5i0Un5hvmNBXIP7eeWvxnTCnPpAPMUHwrsqp98BpwhXgSDQ1mjqZVvHbyOuGMcwnwujuWbEfWlTuGW-5icRFIneTzzspTZLXr7emPZp1wno/s1600/9783863352745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkN2mNwNuS28S80sJU6G1VPGtq1HOzJES5i0Un5hvmNBXIP7eeWvxnTCnPpAPMUHwrsqp98BpwhXgSDQ1mjqZVvHbyOuGMcwnwujuWbEfWlTuGW-5icRFIneTzzspTZLXr7emPZp1wno/s320/9783863352745.jpg" width="297" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Corbelled domed structures are both fascinating and ancient in technique. The process of corbeling has remained unchanged for thousands of years. The proof of this is that many of these ancient structures still stand today, a testament to their solid construction method. Renate Lobbecke has been tracking down such structures for over 25 years. On her travels in 15 countries she has captured photographs depicting this unique phenomenon of designed nature."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Definitely recommend this one. You can find it in the link below with free worldwide shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Price: €45.03 (including shipping and 6% off via the link below)</span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/mdt57ag" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://tinyurl.com/mdt57ag</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Stone : A Legacy and Inspiration for Art</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ls0c3Zj9dL3uh7TFOrkhzyGi1cMx7Zb34tLTeaVgM0LW_dcKVN9tAJXtesqxs4otAEMSDbJNQU5CZcP_kkBtEsTnc1RmBjJMHag_zWQIKd3LR2Zjtjbet6jtqX8zFxGo7rnr1flRNe0/s1600/51CbgnPw2AL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ls0c3Zj9dL3uh7TFOrkhzyGi1cMx7Zb34tLTeaVgM0LW_dcKVN9tAJXtesqxs4otAEMSDbJNQU5CZcP_kkBtEsTnc1RmBjJMHag_zWQIKd3LR2Zjtjbet6jtqX8zFxGo7rnr1flRNe0/s320/51CbgnPw2AL.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stone: A Legacy and Inspiration for Art is a beautiful, visually stimulating book, exploring the delights of contemporary stone sculpture and stone carving. Stone is a major resource and inspiration for artists, craft-workers, and scholars in many areas, and also has huge attraction for a wider public, given its high visual impact, dramatic footage and timely re-evaluation of often hidden professions. Stone offers an introduction to the traditional techniques of stone carving and reviews methods of extraction that are dying out. The authors traveled worldwide learning, interviewing and photographing these unique processes. The photographs in this book show the stunning results. The book then goes on to look at the work of crafts people today in contemporary stone sculpture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Click on the link below to buy with free worldwide shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Price: €25.40 (including shipping and 13% off via the link below)</span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/hrue564" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://tinyurl.com/hrue564</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Below are some practical stone related books.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Irish Stone Walls: History, Building, Conservation by Pat McAfee</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBabpn457JqriWh_g2HNabroBX9jGlBXag7KXrcvMBPrbN4NMQPTKDHgPK5P7Hc-9CzF-Xvwur13Eaz-0eYP4SvbSUszDz3yGVCoE5HlC_IMF6zC1WSkJW8z9Gy16b3c0jA3iH8Lq0yng/s1600/9781847172341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBabpn457JqriWh_g2HNabroBX9jGlBXag7KXrcvMBPrbN4NMQPTKDHgPK5P7Hc-9CzF-Xvwur13Eaz-0eYP4SvbSUszDz3yGVCoE5HlC_IMF6zC1WSkJW8z9Gy16b3c0jA3iH8Lq0yng/s1600/9781847172341.jpg" width="297" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A unique history and 'how to' book on one of Ireland's most distinctive landscape features - the stone wall. The Irish countryside is a patchwork of over 250,000 miles of stone wall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A great little book on Irish stone walls. By the great Irish waller Pat McAfee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Book depository have a great 18% off deal on this book at the moment so its just over €14 with free worldwide shipping. See link below</span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/qy2l4hv" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://tinyurl.com/qy2l4hv</span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Dry Stone Walling. A Practical Guide</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivo9vrzl411NuEkpsKspMmRi4tsr5zsVFSFDuvWd9oyzSX9oyU5Nq5Z-ZbfMZyx0UIOOJCNOMdK01FlPM5EkIE3A44tLPzLiiXLK14urWUUTP1RYso4KsPu4o_PiGvaybczC7tlBGjKp0/s1600/IMG_00000456-400x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivo9vrzl411NuEkpsKspMmRi4tsr5zsVFSFDuvWd9oyzSX9oyU5Nq5Z-ZbfMZyx0UIOOJCNOMdK01FlPM5EkIE3A44tLPzLiiXLK14urWUUTP1RYso4KsPu4o_PiGvaybczC7tlBGjKp0/s1600/IMG_00000456-400x400.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dry Stone Walling. A Practical Guide</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">by Alan Brooks and Sean Adcock</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">159 pages </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A4 paperback, wiro-bound </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">391 illustrations, by Linda Francis and Elizabeth Agate</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Dry stone walling is one of the most ancient building techniques, used worldwide where stone outcrops at the earth's surface. Britain's varied geology has produced a wide range of building styles, which demonstrate the waller's skill in making the best use of the locally available stone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Price: £12.95 plus P&P via the link below</span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/j644xkz" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://tinyurl.com/j644xkz</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>How to Build Dry-Stacked Stone Walls : Design and Build Walls, Bridges and Follies Without Mortar</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodXdDuhKOsPeJonn41TdjpgQSugIYklBQJhRmoFOjdNyynTpbLzaG0fiomTeidSUURIVIOvxbhoLkd73ZPCZgzvhiECE4hp7ZmDMTr7Lcs-gMULKYrvTy7VO-cp3oIJQZ3iqaJNf_EHs/s1600/9781770857094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodXdDuhKOsPeJonn41TdjpgQSugIYklBQJhRmoFOjdNyynTpbLzaG0fiomTeidSUURIVIOvxbhoLkd73ZPCZgzvhiECE4hp7ZmDMTr7Lcs-gMULKYrvTy7VO-cp3oIJQZ3iqaJNf_EHs/s320/9781770857094.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Author John Shaw-Rimmington explains how to build a dry stacked stone wall, coursed walling, bridges, follies and more. He explains the important principles that contribute to the structural integrity of each. He covers all of the essential elements of dry stone building: * Design; * The foundation; * Packing or backfilling within the wall; * Slope of a wall face, an 'A' profile provides stability; * Bridge stones that span the width of the wall; * Coping, the top stones of a wall; * Weight-bearing stones in an arch, bridge, dome, etc. Shaw-Rimmington then guides the reader through the building process. With dedication to the task and the author's experienced guidance, the only limit is imagination. Click on the link below to buy with free shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Price: €18.86 (including shipping and 23% off via the link below) </span><a href="http://tinyurl.com/hs8cdfa" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/hs8cdfa</a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Art of the Stonemason</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGI6_waM737B6IG_Lfj-2VHjXB12qF-RtytvNZE-8AmvS-TQllD6zEVKVWHuYZOUAO_MRAJ-0AxIyVG_zYyd7aChDduo-FSCzlWXK_KsuX2DwYkLmjvWuORZvlN2kt7rUNRi0F_Q2tGM/s1600/9780911469271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGI6_waM737B6IG_Lfj-2VHjXB12qF-RtytvNZE-8AmvS-TQllD6zEVKVWHuYZOUAO_MRAJ-0AxIyVG_zYyd7aChDduo-FSCzlWXK_KsuX2DwYkLmjvWuORZvlN2kt7rUNRi0F_Q2tGM/s1600/9780911469271.jpg" width="296" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A fifth-generation stonemason discusses how to choose stone, build a wall on sloping ground, circular walls, windowsills, fireplaces, stairs, arches and hunchbacked bridges. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A great practical guide to building stone features for anyone with some experience in stone building.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Click on the link below to buy with free shipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Price: €20.14 (including shipping via the link below)</span></div>
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/lxnyfhf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://tinyurl.com/lxnyfhf</span></a></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Europe’s field boundaries</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45lAR26hc5uR7rPTqN6qmBqGXPmtAi1ELsFDMQ-RmFdLbYttLtiLHXQpJS3Ax_S90qvzX2Skz5uUVWTo0kHxNxLyLyxiKEv-OvemAUhzgOnzFlyKIJexygjIHYOhcJn95X0xTQmCJBXI/s1600/Buchdeckel-Band-2-englisch_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45lAR26hc5uR7rPTqN6qmBqGXPmtAi1ELsFDMQ-RmFdLbYttLtiLHXQpJS3Ax_S90qvzX2Skz5uUVWTo0kHxNxLyLyxiKEv-OvemAUhzgOnzFlyKIJexygjIHYOhcJn95X0xTQmCJBXI/s1600/Buchdeckel-Band-2-englisch_2.jpg" width="247" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Written in two volumes </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Georg Muller has written a most wonderful book called 'Europe's Field Boundaries in 2 volumes. Georg basically spent the last 30 years traveling around Europe surveying dry stone walls, hedged banks etc in most European countries (Ireland, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Croatia, Greece etc etc)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The books have almost 1300 pages and 5000 colour images. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The books are beautifully bound with gold leaf and are a very special collection indeed, they are a real investment and highly recommendable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Information on how to order the books in the link below</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Price for the two volumes together is €289 plus P&P</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.wallhecke.de/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://www.wallhecke.de/</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This is just a few of the great stone related books that are out there. I have lots more book recommendations in the book recommendations section of my blog <a href="http://sunnywiele1.wix.com/stone-art-blog-books" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div>
Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-11391137440686625122014-09-01T20:08:00.000+01:002014-09-01T20:08:43.431+01:00Sculpture in Context 2014<a href="http://www.sculptureincontext.com/index.html" target="_blank">Sculpture in Context</a> 2014 in The <a href="http://www.botanicgardens.ie/" target="_blank">National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin</a>, Dublin.<br />
4th September to 17th October 2014<br />
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Sculpture in Context 2014 returns once again to the National Botanic Gardens, showcasing the work of Irish and international artists. It is the largest and most prestigious outdoor sculpture exhibition in Ireland.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86-Q-Qo1MIMq3KohAeGCwZnHa4ZNwtoCvmwTd8PpOpmHh8KKF2qxWjejn8pGyFk6GKakl6K7-pDhqf0BJKub3RdT4AVjCu36vbkTDVMm6X79WxdOIV77oyo6CJL-AkNvnD6uquT6OPSs/s1600/sicmontage3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86-Q-Qo1MIMq3KohAeGCwZnHa4ZNwtoCvmwTd8PpOpmHh8KKF2qxWjejn8pGyFk6GKakl6K7-pDhqf0BJKub3RdT4AVjCu36vbkTDVMm6X79WxdOIV77oyo6CJL-AkNvnD6uquT6OPSs/s1600/sicmontage3.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sculpture in Context was established in 1985 to raise the profile of sculpture and provide a platform for artists outside the normal gallery context. It is a not for profit organisation run by sculptors. The exhibition was founded by Cliodna Cussen, Colm Brennan and Gerard Cox and originated in Fernhill Gardens where it ran for 10 years. Since then it has been hosted in the Conrad Hotel, Malahide Castle, Kilmainham Gaol, the Irish Management Institute, Dublin Castle, Farmleigh House and since 2002 has been held in the magnificent National Botanic Gardens.</div>
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Sculpture in Context promotes artists and creates opportunities for practicing artists to exhibit their works in a wider public arena. The organisation has provided much needed opportunities for Irish and non-Irish sculptors in Ireland.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjTTdcAixGbiqZ_JTArs7Zbm8SgfVXCJC1-1F12Ya8f_mYocnjTGCWetlJFwJwLG_TavcJ7z5RhOqs9ksrGM8FTon9FCkvILlCCAe7sTjDU6nYaMwOpSEoKRXApYd_NVcmRRANy99Gek/s1600/sicmontage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjTTdcAixGbiqZ_JTArs7Zbm8SgfVXCJC1-1F12Ya8f_mYocnjTGCWetlJFwJwLG_TavcJ7z5RhOqs9ksrGM8FTon9FCkvILlCCAe7sTjDU6nYaMwOpSEoKRXApYd_NVcmRRANy99Gek/s1600/sicmontage1.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></div>
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In total there will be 150 pieces on display this year (including a number of small pieces in the gallery above the cafe). This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the stunning botanic gardens and discover dozens of art works placed all around the gardens and within the glasshouses. </div>
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These photo collages are just a little taste of what will be on view for the duration of the exhibition. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqFrVYXWZqIZjByYvry4Pq5DDbo4XDv_sb4W1i0ZIJ49EG3SDZtytrd1-9HfJBYt8gtFJ0qGtODavtBUi4l3mgDaPWLWxC4MbybutrnmOr7a1KI_hLZxodw1O5124gQJ42g1d_-qTEec/s1600/sicmontage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqFrVYXWZqIZjByYvry4Pq5DDbo4XDv_sb4W1i0ZIJ49EG3SDZtytrd1-9HfJBYt8gtFJ0qGtODavtBUi4l3mgDaPWLWxC4MbybutrnmOr7a1KI_hLZxodw1O5124gQJ42g1d_-qTEec/s1600/sicmontage2.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></div>
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I am delighted to announce I have a piece in this years exhibition. </div>
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This natural stone and mirror mosaic piece consists of golden granite and iconic Liscannor sandstone from Co. Clare (I visited this quarry a while back with the <a href="http://www.dswai.ie/" target="_blank">DSWAI</a>. Read more about this iconic stone <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2012/04/trip-to-co-clare-for-some-dry-stone.html" target="_blank">here</a>) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEropQuRJLiAdYw7XfKtOmB6iz-idIIGEX33PZkWOnlA1xPrUq6_kCz0DgLqrNVcXTS9x4L_jAdUlKQk_KavW61W3O63xFgLXon8h6_Q5qE2YUcgp0nXPLjyyGUdEH6j-_nNhJUebnj3I/s1600/DSC_0115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEropQuRJLiAdYw7XfKtOmB6iz-idIIGEX33PZkWOnlA1xPrUq6_kCz0DgLqrNVcXTS9x4L_jAdUlKQk_KavW61W3O63xFgLXon8h6_Q5qE2YUcgp0nXPLjyyGUdEH6j-_nNhJUebnj3I/s1600/DSC_0115.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have made a number of square and rectangular <a href="http://www.stoneart.ie/site41/index.php/home#!mosaics/c1fz1" target="_blank">mosaics for gardens</a> before but, to the delight of my steel fabricator (note hint of sarcasm) I decided to go with a more organic shape this time </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbR-62WU9H3EBx8xLos_TcH4v3e4_fyARYW_eQnKkmpcV0tzoxQGuNtsOymp2EVbU9OQGtswpfO5fYwBWpCjVt-4Wb0iMKnj0cMEgKhxUB1jIdAhBfbk19XgNKvcQbiFXOKUk3r9vJ41Y/s1600/outline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbR-62WU9H3EBx8xLos_TcH4v3e4_fyARYW_eQnKkmpcV0tzoxQGuNtsOymp2EVbU9OQGtswpfO5fYwBWpCjVt-4Wb0iMKnj0cMEgKhxUB1jIdAhBfbk19XgNKvcQbiFXOKUk3r9vJ41Y/s1600/outline.jpg" height="400" width="230" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-k1IEKMrSVtd-BDXac9OwNqB3kgrB_6Px_roH0JJIf8df8_vySfyaYqLvExLXTBn2yUCz8LIHsE4Nv5zrf4CaysfGauvlBtjRq_ZKrf78YyY5jnCRqVK8nCXa-qEAKum-jfHSe89XkJg/s1600/work-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-k1IEKMrSVtd-BDXac9OwNqB3kgrB_6Px_roH0JJIf8df8_vySfyaYqLvExLXTBn2yUCz8LIHsE4Nv5zrf4CaysfGauvlBtjRq_ZKrf78YyY5jnCRqVK8nCXa-qEAKum-jfHSe89XkJg/s1600/work-1.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></div>
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Its funny, when I'm working away on a piece in the studio it always looks so much duller. Endless hours painstakingly splitting down pieces of stone with grinder and chisel, wondering if it will all come together.</div>
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Thankfully, as always, my uncertainties are put to rest when the piece is cleaned up and put out in its garden setting. That moment when the sun comes out and the piece begins to glisten, reflecting back the lush garden greens and the ever changing sky, that is when I fold my arms and give it the nod of approval. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5chpZtP_SGXFxYW2AbN6bsxZZVcBSbAGTTLBEArmk8ljhgGHjgJslKYJyt7Gb00XqGiTe5k68uEgHTPLmrBAeMG_CoRq9p1cq6HooEOfRocLmz6PsFkOYlj_tMExPiQUrQXPlyDijUs/s1600/work-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5chpZtP_SGXFxYW2AbN6bsxZZVcBSbAGTTLBEArmk8ljhgGHjgJslKYJyt7Gb00XqGiTe5k68uEgHTPLmrBAeMG_CoRq9p1cq6HooEOfRocLmz6PsFkOYlj_tMExPiQUrQXPlyDijUs/s1600/work-2.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></div>
Sculpture in context officially opens to the public on Thursday the 4th September and will run to 17th October 2014 so plenty of time to come see all these great pieces on display. And if you're in the market for buying a unique piece of art be sure to bring your cheque book as most of the pieces on display will also be for sale.<br />
The gardens are open Monday to Friday 9 am - 5 pm and Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays 10 am - 6 pm. Be sure to call into reception and get yourself a catalogue so you don't miss any of the pieces waiting to be discovered around the gardens. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZC8JZkBC9mDZetaijX7Y7hC5HTOmkNQUA9h79EA7JxZ9-fxTB67YKrVDmeddQdGzXmxILiAdOWH6RyIhy1FXRjcBgAoc5MFuGVwYzxOdJr9RdQ_6eWugCh0D8eMWHGGAdRmKS5rnQ9k/s1600/DSC_0140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZC8JZkBC9mDZetaijX7Y7hC5HTOmkNQUA9h79EA7JxZ9-fxTB67YKrVDmeddQdGzXmxILiAdOWH6RyIhy1FXRjcBgAoc5MFuGVwYzxOdJr9RdQ_6eWugCh0D8eMWHGGAdRmKS5rnQ9k/s1600/DSC_0140.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com4National Botanic Gardens, Dublin 9, Ireland53.3727797 -6.2730658000000448.414444200000005 -16.60021430000004 58.3311152 4.0540826999999595tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-4438877783287247792014-06-25T18:09:00.000+01:002014-06-26T09:11:59.419+01:00The birth of a new Stone Festival in Donegal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last Thursday I packed my bags and pointed my car north for Donegal. I have been wanting to get to Donegal for some time but for some reason Donegal always seems so far away. But now I had a good excuse to free up some time (as if you need a good reason to go to Donegal) </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLysK05mjz1hq5S4S0q5YYVJS2If83Afl50faKk3CzxxUZeoPk3HH_cIqG2Hee78JB_3jeI1CzKHEG0VlxspwRdtCn_1vvk2gsDyX4T840HVwgJPtdvTc5GsmyPIDAlj57sojDOd8Ng5o/s1600/DSC_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLysK05mjz1hq5S4S0q5YYVJS2If83Afl50faKk3CzxxUZeoPk3HH_cIqG2Hee78JB_3jeI1CzKHEG0VlxspwRdtCn_1vvk2gsDyX4T840HVwgJPtdvTc5GsmyPIDAlj57sojDOd8Ng5o/s1600/DSC_0008.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountcharles Sandstone Pier, Mountcharles, Co. Donegal</td></tr>
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Turns out the trip up is not so bad at all, I even had time to stop off along the way at <a href="http://www.knowth.com/loughcrew.htm" target="_blank">Loughcrew</a> in County Meath to find the ancient stone seat known as The Hag's Chair a massive engraved kerbstone on the north side of Cairn T, at Loughcrew. I have mentioned this seat in a blog post before which you can read <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2010/04/stone-chairs-some-ancient-some-not-so.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_nGvs2PtVstLu12wkH104KdZSmiiP7-BhinuIHgNy3uVX2V2Mrd-K9jIKghmghFyWvJrLV8rUvcC3UckIdAzLQfaOK4pzGn9pabQbHJgd-SWHgSffoctSMIa5kiiSwJJC0pseQiWucQ/s1600/DSC_0192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_nGvs2PtVstLu12wkH104KdZSmiiP7-BhinuIHgNy3uVX2V2Mrd-K9jIKghmghFyWvJrLV8rUvcC3UckIdAzLQfaOK4pzGn9pabQbHJgd-SWHgSffoctSMIa5kiiSwJJC0pseQiWucQ/s1600/DSC_0192.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hag's Chair, Loughcrew, Co. Meath</td></tr>
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After a good stretch of the legs and a crawl into the centre of Cairn T (a similar structure to Newgrange) I got back in the car to finish my journey to Donegal. There were many other stone sites along my route which I wanted to visit, but I knew that this was going to be the first of what will become an annual pilgrimage to Donegal, and there would be plenty of opportunities to see these great sites down the line.</div>
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"So how's about getting to the point and tell us why you're going to Donegal" you are surely saying by now. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTSUD4uvqRWwurqZ47zNForXtR4o5NqXYcIxuN3uLC3GyoI4ccZ660_qJfIrnCMAykN4PO7KQNiRvfmscHd3y7_uSybwkyk3cjhAjM8rQGWCYHCpsxdgSuArWAe3pNFc1Ln0SjjyePmU/s1600/DSC_0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTSUD4uvqRWwurqZ47zNForXtR4o5NqXYcIxuN3uLC3GyoI4ccZ660_qJfIrnCMAykN4PO7KQNiRvfmscHd3y7_uSybwkyk3cjhAjM8rQGWCYHCpsxdgSuArWAe3pNFc1Ln0SjjyePmU/s1600/DSC_0073.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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Well as the title of the post suggests, my trip to Donegal was to be part of an exciting new stone festival that is to be an annual event in Donegal.</div>
Organised by the Donegal branch of <a href="http://www.dswai.ie/" target="_blank">The Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland </a> (DSWAI) with the support of the <a href="http://www.donegalcoco.ie/" target="_blank">Donegal County Council</a> and the <a href="http://donegalvec.ie/" target="_blank">ETB </a> the festival included dry stone wall building, stone letter cutting and carving, talks by master masons and sculptors and topped off with a tour of the local sandstone mine.<br />
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<b>Dry Stone Walling </b><br />
The dry stone project was set in a picturesque setting along the Donegal coastline on the <a href="http://www.ireland.com/en-gb/wild-atlantic-way" target="_blank">Wild Atlantic Way</a> by the historic sandstone pier of Mountcharles. This area's rich stone heritage is ever evident, from the walls that line the coastline to the huge local sandstone blocks that form the beautiful Mountcharles Pier, from where the stone from the local quarries was shipped off to build many grand halls and churches around the country and abroad.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountcharles Pier</td></tr>
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The task for the dry stone walling project was to rebuild a large section of wall that was washed away during a massive storm which left stones scattered over a large area of land it had once protected.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The footprint of the original wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pep talk by Rónán Crehan gets the building under way</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scottish Master Craftsman Nick Aitken keeping an eye over the footings </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCTJqVQtYtf62X7lwq7N8TrpbSCIxA_z1AdkREX6yORAf76cJ-yQcsL4yVk9olfk-qnLtuD-wQeAh8chRbLbzGX-ijaAU9iT4ExcKegy1MeDkLPDZdyK_jEEnH39lpJdGG26ptD0YbBA/s1600/DSC_0079-(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCTJqVQtYtf62X7lwq7N8TrpbSCIxA_z1AdkREX6yORAf76cJ-yQcsL4yVk9olfk-qnLtuD-wQeAh8chRbLbzGX-ijaAU9iT4ExcKegy1MeDkLPDZdyK_jEEnH39lpJdGG26ptD0YbBA/s1600/DSC_0079-(2).jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dry stone waller in the making</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dNY5wNFq-7mLUUbg5NMytsBMIGPSTRnSuPV6BjwR-WNnnfs8bK4im1rGqIbYI_E9tC0KD0B332bF2rAZWoGuD-tU9m4_7679Ug2KBAxK2BC84Uo5uZAcMIcfrbTh-4fbDYp2WsUsi8U/s1600/DSC_0074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dNY5wNFq-7mLUUbg5NMytsBMIGPSTRnSuPV6BjwR-WNnnfs8bK4im1rGqIbYI_E9tC0KD0B332bF2rAZWoGuD-tU9m4_7679Ug2KBAxK2BC84Uo5uZAcMIcfrbTh-4fbDYp2WsUsi8U/s1600/DSC_0074.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stonemason Michael Mc Groarty splits and shapes stone to create gate posts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_b4ApE-hKn5DRkbMpArEMpOxapuBmhhfuagSe_C3JF3QeB3Fm1x-JMsyg0mARHzmnanQ9P2O_obEEshCQlt75gm8tPZImvX0CYZB3L2IHCgkXrakiJXKCiYnj2-auO63HOJ57dr2Ce28/s1600/DSC_0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_b4ApE-hKn5DRkbMpArEMpOxapuBmhhfuagSe_C3JF3QeB3Fm1x-JMsyg0mARHzmnanQ9P2O_obEEshCQlt75gm8tPZImvX0CYZB3L2IHCgkXrakiJXKCiYnj2-auO63HOJ57dr2Ce28/s1600/DSC_0022.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stones plunged and feathered </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1D_KwUNNsX7OffKKZgWRCLWiq7uLyHx94GtiYdTAad8Rlhz34_DWNpzO1c_dpS5ZFjFZewvqIVm_Qnd9aGr5o9Rv4j1apbdXU8gt-UdTOz13t6t0ehi-M_FOGpiY-3hCIEHL1mQemD40/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1D_KwUNNsX7OffKKZgWRCLWiq7uLyHx94GtiYdTAad8Rlhz34_DWNpzO1c_dpS5ZFjFZewvqIVm_Qnd9aGr5o9Rv4j1apbdXU8gt-UdTOz13t6t0ehi-M_FOGpiY-3hCIEHL1mQemD40/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Placing the gate posts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8c6J_z6vK3eZ64TjUYwgAGeCsv6NxzC3QyhvggUixaWI3UuK0omdk__rkNijgD3VSTqk42tuz9pVueoxCkV5qRbYawGlF6L8rwZ15o525ssSIbvM5GrHu7BkbWBzxglHdq8PLL7xnufk/s1600/DSC_0049-(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8c6J_z6vK3eZ64TjUYwgAGeCsv6NxzC3QyhvggUixaWI3UuK0omdk__rkNijgD3VSTqk42tuz9pVueoxCkV5qRbYawGlF6L8rwZ15o525ssSIbvM5GrHu7BkbWBzxglHdq8PLL7xnufk/s1600/DSC_0049-(2).jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Craftsman Sean Adcock from the North Wales branch of DSWA UK keeps local man Donagh O Callaghan and Canadian Jacob Murray on their toes </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm522N1ZUIMlGmMC94YCPlLXtmi_csdwQqv_JXIqR7vyOQYcnuKyk1XJF8eYx7uTYReJVl4kAu7eK3wCsg9ayg_1dVCQZF2DShH4HkOljGK9JrzKhLT29LolC0Ryjhnwa25iX24WKCOM4/s1600/DSC_0039-(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm522N1ZUIMlGmMC94YCPlLXtmi_csdwQqv_JXIqR7vyOQYcnuKyk1XJF8eYx7uTYReJVl4kAu7eK3wCsg9ayg_1dVCQZF2DShH4HkOljGK9JrzKhLT29LolC0Ryjhnwa25iX24WKCOM4/s1600/DSC_0039-(2).jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wall builders of day one</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9OEQhIE6ocj_OpOyqa_K3QPScdT0S_tyeYYmdyNVZR5R_K0d57Y_zfm4JXS6WWTh-RqGOfhOP0NEZE4XtuhTT1VGnosrNoWkezaJoSUWb3PKq71jtQkm0e2uIJ3uUGS5cORxQhIKn9g/s1600/DSC_0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9OEQhIE6ocj_OpOyqa_K3QPScdT0S_tyeYYmdyNVZR5R_K0d57Y_zfm4JXS6WWTh-RqGOfhOP0NEZE4XtuhTT1VGnosrNoWkezaJoSUWb3PKq71jtQkm0e2uIJ3uUGS5cORxQhIKn9g/s1600/DSC_0029.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8Z7lQ0yNc_iXtot9IGfWMKg5Aep9nNP3hS5ug7bPJxN0uv82HRhY48jPHBB4DeVaZecIJk8luGkW0SoLS9XqyxGFPOZq3nUpzqsyunbgBHH0qfwkvdpGc7WwUI6j6jlROj2uTVDakA0/s1600/DSC_0063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8Z7lQ0yNc_iXtot9IGfWMKg5Aep9nNP3hS5ug7bPJxN0uv82HRhY48jPHBB4DeVaZecIJk8luGkW0SoLS9XqyxGFPOZq3nUpzqsyunbgBHH0qfwkvdpGc7WwUI6j6jlROj2uTVDakA0/s1600/DSC_0063.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick Aitken and DSWAI treasurer Louise Price set copping stones </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdE-Jybj-zKjU977Nf5H58p4ynezPZf1Uoai9wD2SDgvIJCAL9TYQdsxXZcIEkjHXEDJnjS18O50Rav8EvfqyM-qIVWJuthFkbksF5p2md31PKwAOKa9MUYZ790wO25HgVnBB-3C5ZHo/s1600/penny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdE-Jybj-zKjU977Nf5H58p4ynezPZf1Uoai9wD2SDgvIJCAL9TYQdsxXZcIEkjHXEDJnjS18O50Rav8EvfqyM-qIVWJuthFkbksF5p2md31PKwAOKa9MUYZ790wO25HgVnBB-3C5ZHo/s1600/penny.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old Irish penny from 1941 found in the wall</td></tr>
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There is an age old tradition of putting a time capsule in a wall as you build. This is often in the form of a bottle or a coin. I found this old penny from 1941 in between the stones of the original wall footings. I too regularly throw a few coins into a wall (the amount depending on how plush I am feeling at the time) I made sure to throw a few euros into this wall as well for some other mason to find down the line in another 100 years or so. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfHyEYGls5JrtPsb_mrReWoazMLsVBxl-XwmbfusdL3B0A9rbseVH5oIEsU4_Zw_hdrtgV7RlFdTS4s5UEVUYxwTZb1nfjzPt2j56YyDPZiE1KAvTdmnBOvVXHpa_Ra8IDdm-oLCeDvM/s1600/DSC_0069q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfHyEYGls5JrtPsb_mrReWoazMLsVBxl-XwmbfusdL3B0A9rbseVH5oIEsU4_Zw_hdrtgV7RlFdTS4s5UEVUYxwTZb1nfjzPt2j56YyDPZiE1KAvTdmnBOvVXHpa_Ra8IDdm-oLCeDvM/s1600/DSC_0069q.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rónán Crehan posing in 'stile'</td></tr>
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Built using stone from the original wall and recycled stone from a old cottage, all of the stone used is the local sandstone. Over the course of two days over 45 yards of wall was built by a team of about 40 participants per day. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYe3HRbGqJmx7ix1g8Ers8LH1vO2QCGm42JP0eJUmYsaeV8_8xlHohlvoAuyufoQllK867K0x-GFu7TNlosxOBM4yZ0vjrwIYegvi17ODRYZogSIsQxNlT2O4MlBmrJNrZSW8mGj9DpE/s1600/DSC_00741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYe3HRbGqJmx7ix1g8Ers8LH1vO2QCGm42JP0eJUmYsaeV8_8xlHohlvoAuyufoQllK867K0x-GFu7TNlosxOBM4yZ0vjrwIYegvi17ODRYZogSIsQxNlT2O4MlBmrJNrZSW8mGj9DpE/s1600/DSC_00741.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished wall</td></tr>
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<b>Stone Carving and Letter cutting Workshop with Brendan McGloin</b><br />
Located just 500 meters from Mountcharles pier is the lovely <a href="http://www.donegalgardens.com/" target="_blank">Salthill Gardens</a>, the courtyard of which was the location of our stone carving workshops. As you walk towards the gardens from the pier, the soft tapping sounds of hammer on chisel can be heard coming over the high stone walls of the gardens that protect the lush and delicate garden inside from the harsh salty sea air. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BEri8Rk4PuHE5KZB-beQPSvQmjt5A6cmdM8a5qFPkasQD3kqaDomW6WeywvqdTz0Zxv1td_-m3nNbSlOy_GvnZWntIyrFPfclyNqwBORvXy4BbOfVyOjnROG7m5Vy9diFUmxeQYkUEw/s1600/DSC_0048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BEri8Rk4PuHE5KZB-beQPSvQmjt5A6cmdM8a5qFPkasQD3kqaDomW6WeywvqdTz0Zxv1td_-m3nNbSlOy_GvnZWntIyrFPfclyNqwBORvXy4BbOfVyOjnROG7m5Vy9diFUmxeQYkUEw/s1600/DSC_0048.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carving at Salthill Gardens</td></tr>
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Up to 12 students per day got to try their hand at letter cutting and stone carving<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuTmhuev2N-HP7b35lQbN01JLaM3Fk_zoGQ8bnL_acHvk0HQDbH8vRHFs0psnTcGRzLZxqTYYsovXSbxox512_yBnG_GM0IDJzoyuegJJqa1A7jxE4Si2AVIzc1aUUxhHndgxBcpcFVU/s1600/DSC_0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuTmhuev2N-HP7b35lQbN01JLaM3Fk_zoGQ8bnL_acHvk0HQDbH8vRHFs0psnTcGRzLZxqTYYsovXSbxox512_yBnG_GM0IDJzoyuegJJqa1A7jxE4Si2AVIzc1aUUxhHndgxBcpcFVU/s1600/DSC_0045.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Kieran Keeney sharpening chisels</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landscape architect Dave Ryan feels at home, surrounded by plants and stone as he carves</td></tr>
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The carving workshops were run by sculptor <a href="http://brendanmcgloin.ie/" target="_blank">Brendan Mc Gloin</a> who has been working with stone for over 25 years. His legacy to date includes an incredible full scale replica of the <a href="http://irishhighcrosses.com/clonmacnois-scripture-cross.html" target="_blank">high cross of the scriptures at Clonmacnoise</a>. The cross took almost three years to complete and is an incredible site to behold. The finished cross now sits on the summit of Mt Calvary, Portland Oregon, USA. Brendan also gave a fascinating talk and media presentation over the weekend that gave a wonderful insight into the enormity of the project. Click <a href="http://youtu.be/3nYediXGvwY" target="_blank">here</a> to see a short 6min film about this work. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brendan and his recreation of the cross (Image copyright of Brendan Mc Gloin)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick and Louise look in wonder at Brendan McGloin's model of the Clonmacnoise High Cross of which Brendan carved a stunning full scale replica over a 3 year period. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Brendan's carvings on display at Salthill Gardens</td></tr>
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<b>A trip to the mines</b></div>
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One of the highlights of the festival was a tour of the sandstone mines of Drumkeelan just a mile northwest of Mountcharles. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to the mine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rónán giving a description on the surface quarry.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at the quarry entrance</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are met at the entrance of the mine by local historian Eamonn Monaghan, who also gave a fascinating talk at the festival the day before about the history of the stone industry in the area.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Around 300 million years ago in the Carboniferous period Donegal
Bay was much larger than in the present day. It stretched from
Killybegs in the west, through Lough Eske in the centre, to Laghy in the
east. The Carboniferous rivers were eroding the same hills as we see
today (although these would have been much higher and less rounded) carrying
sediment into the bay to form the sandstones which occur around Drumkeelan and
upon which the stonemasonry industry in the area is based.</div>
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In the townland of Drumkeelan, northwest of
Mountcharles, is a rock outcrop known as Drumkeelan mine. This site has a very
long history of stone mining, back to at least the late 12th century. It provided high quality stone suitable for
monumental work and masonry. Some important public buildings, such as the
National Museum of Ireland, the National Library, Leinster House (the Dail)
and Sligo Town Hall used Drumkeelan stone in their construction. The mine was active up till the 1950's</div>
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The effort put into the tour was outstanding. The entire mine shaft was lit up using candles and lamps, just like it would have been during the times it was in use.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the original miners oil lamps</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter, Deirdre and family explore the mines</td></tr>
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Sandstone is much softer when it is first taken out of the ground, as it is exposed to the elements the silts wash out of it and it becomes much harder to work. For this reason it was more economical to mine the stone rather than opencast it.</div>
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In the mine a weak layer of silt material above the sandstone was removed first making a small space, allowing blocks of stone to be wedged up from their beds and removed. They would then be moved through the mines shaft with the aid of rollers and bars. As the stone was extracted, the roof would be supported mainly by a pack of waste stone stacked to the sides like dense dry stone walls. The Abbey Assaroe was built in 1180, so it is known that quarrying started around this time. A carved sandstone lamp found in the mine suggests mining could have already started in the middle ages. Locally the stone was used to build the Killybegs Coastguard Station, the Provincial Bank in Ballyshannon, the Town Hall in Sligo and St Eunan and St Columba Cathedral in Letterkenny</div>
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Arriving at a larger chamber, Eamonn stops to sing us a song he wrote about the mine to commemorate the miners who worked there. <b>Click on the video below to hear his song.</b></div>
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/UELvb3_6RBc/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/UELvb3_6RBc&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/UELvb3_6RBc&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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For those of you who want to sing along here are the words.</div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>'The Ballad of the Drumkeelan
Mines' by local historian Eamonn Monaghan which commemorates the miners:</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
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<i><span style="background: white;">Deep underneath
Drumkeelan, there in the freestone mines each day,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">With miners' lamps
to light us, we work the hours away,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">We punch the holes
along the line, in each we place a wedge,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">And when they're
right & ready, we give each one the sledge,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">CHORUS</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">So swing the
hammers high and swing the hammers low,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">We must get these blocks
out, today before we go,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">The stone cutters
are all waiting, for these are busy times,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">In the Valley of
Drumkeelan, where we're working in the Mines.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">The stone it is
above us, the stone is all around,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Our block is on the
rollers, our crowbars on the ground,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">We lever it so
slowly, along the smooth mine floor,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">And when we have it
outside, sure we must go back for more,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">There's a big
Cathedral rising in Letterkenny Town,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">They need stone for
schools & halls, from here to Co. Down,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">For Halls in Derry
City and Sligo banks as well,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Sure, we cannot
mine it fast enough, the truth to you I'll tell,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Mulreany comes from
Drumnalost, here to his work each day,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">The Brogans &
the Harkins from Drumconnor make their way,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">The Hegartys &
Harveys & the Bogles come along,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">With Wards from
Drumagearah they make a jolly throng,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">They walk it every
morning, from miles & miles around,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">To share their
skills & ancient crafts and toil beneath the ground,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Like the monks of
good St Bernard in far off distant times,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Who worked &
prayed for God & Man within these very Mines,</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.266666412353516px;">Hearing this song sung deep in the mines was quite special. Encouraged by our applause, Eamonn went on to recite a poem he also wrote about the mines (see video below) </span></span></div>
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When researching the mines, Eamonn wanted to get a real sense what it would have been like in there for the workers. He once spent a full week in the mines sleeping on the mine floor absorbing the complete stillness within the shafts. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlLSClcOUDN5Ry76wTIWJ3eQlyohXVT3MMlmAWFziK2a7V-8kY24Lnl4yseZV2nVYYiYH4shBZc4PEoHjoE9AgJCZBkDlgDkaBZhb7QFa8rSI6JGf4PzdBTAMeuQi-0w3L4l1ayG0xKY/s1600/DSC_0028-(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlLSClcOUDN5Ry76wTIWJ3eQlyohXVT3MMlmAWFziK2a7V-8kY24Lnl4yseZV2nVYYiYH4shBZc4PEoHjoE9AgJCZBkDlgDkaBZhb7QFa8rSI6JGf4PzdBTAMeuQi-0w3L4l1ayG0xKY/s1600/DSC_0028-(2).jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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The great thing about this mine is that unlike limestone caves and mines, it is not exposed to the same kind of erosion. There are no stalactites to obscure the views. These sandstone mines are completely sterile and are exactly the same as they were in the 1950’s. Down here, I am reminded of my trip to the salt mines in Poland (read about that trip <u><a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2010/09/daniowicz-shaft-mikoaj-kopernik-chamber.html" target="_blank">here</a></u>)</div>
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Returning to the surface, evidence can be seen of how modern quarrying is destroying the mines. In the picture below, old mine shafts are hidden behind the heaps of rubble. The rock that would have been the mine roof is broken down into smaller building stone mainly used for building walls and cladding houses. (a 20 ton truck load of this stone was also donated to <a href="http://www.dswai.ie/#!emotional/c1t44" target="_blank">The Gathering of Stones</a> project as you might remember) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9fYyJvDtBEVefptFgtFO_1sP4NNNhyphenhyphenkdpoUCJVM88sPpeRFj0Cm9VmTYOOCrJ2nq6ISNzSZsRYPCAZfAv7sO1YZVVPUX4ALJb-Ym60ACBJpKMyGUMUzaZFz4YJx1E8YIPV0m1DAv1rw/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9fYyJvDtBEVefptFgtFO_1sP4NNNhyphenhyphenkdpoUCJVM88sPpeRFj0Cm9VmTYOOCrJ2nq6ISNzSZsRYPCAZfAv7sO1YZVVPUX4ALJb-Ym60ACBJpKMyGUMUzaZFz4YJx1E8YIPV0m1DAv1rw/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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Today there is only two of the mine shafts remaining. There is talk of preserving the last two so that the history of these mines will live on and that more people will be able to come and experience these wonderful tours. Let us hope the powers that be step up and help preserve this unique piece of our heritage before it is too late. One ponders on what a wonderful unique tourist attraction this could make! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSi69G-1dCBg57VBJ3aTwJNn7S-Kq3JpjRCMrx57Sw9Mv2R9rctGpe1x-hzzAhS8krQFiPa4mLA-6sTSQsO6uvjQwpVj7-7S5-rR3oeTPZQ1NUnp1JqlGoHpxBe_T4FWKlcVfefSec3A/s1600/DSC_0042-%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSi69G-1dCBg57VBJ3aTwJNn7S-Kq3JpjRCMrx57Sw9Mv2R9rctGpe1x-hzzAhS8krQFiPa4mLA-6sTSQsO6uvjQwpVj7-7S5-rR3oeTPZQ1NUnp1JqlGoHpxBe_T4FWKlcVfefSec3A/s1600/DSC_0042-%25283%2529.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rónán and Jacob modelling the festival Tshirts. You can order your festival Tshirt through the DSWAI website <a href="http://www.dswai.ie/#!shop/c4v4" target="_blank">here</a> </td></tr>
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And so with the end of the tour, so too came an end to our festival. And with one last step through the 'stile' I said my farewells to Donegal and its fine people, hoping to return again soon. Now in the knowledge that I am only a comfortable 3 hour drive away I am sure I will be back a lot sooner than the next <a href="http://www.dswai.ie/#!tir-conaill-festival/c1zxp" target="_blank">Tirconnell Stone Festival.</a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXVGP4S4RX0xMH0F4VVOiB4619j-xZPzzaVocRD3KWp4bebdSIHW_ouo4cDutVspMlAmrfU6KLKLe3jrbDMiLQOtemHPVuoXarMLQfOfvqFVmHc0ua40e5p3HBdqgtxLBVZHo2UpJHzw/s1600/DSC_00721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXVGP4S4RX0xMH0F4VVOiB4619j-xZPzzaVocRD3KWp4bebdSIHW_ouo4cDutVspMlAmrfU6KLKLe3jrbDMiLQOtemHPVuoXarMLQfOfvqFVmHc0ua40e5p3HBdqgtxLBVZHo2UpJHzw/s1600/DSC_00721.jpg" height="288" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left DSWAI Chairman Sunny Wieler, festival organiser Louise Price, Canadian Jacob Murray and festival organiser Rónán Crehan </td></tr>
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Finnaly I would like to say a big thanks to everyone involved in making this event happen. From the quarry men to the admin people, to the tea lady and stone gatherers and of course the different organisations and local councillors who helped make it happen. </div>
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Here in Donegal I felt a great sense of pride of county and of its stone heritage that I have not experienced to the same level in other counties. This festival is a credit to the craft and the people of Donegal. Let the dry stone revolution continue..... </div>
Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com3Mountcharles, Co. Donegal, Ireland54.6474421 -8.19471889999999829.1254076 -49.5033129 80.1694766 33.1138751tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-5887093152811101212014-05-25T16:15:00.004+01:002014-05-26T09:21:39.230+01:00StoneFest 2014 and the Irish connection <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So after a number of years of procrastination and dreaming about going to StoneFest, this year I finally made it over to Seattle to attend the event. Procrastination was of course not the only factor in making the 14,623 km round trip to the event, finances and situation also played a big factor. If it were not for Alexandra and Scott of StoneFest and the work they are doing with the <a href="http://stonefest.org/ontrackscholarship/" target="_blank">'OnTrack</a>' scholarship, dreams and procrastination would still be my only memories of StoneFest.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFcjZZ1JrmwTfI9yTAyOXhaE6GKLR-Dc-gFs8FyqfwYifIdmKII-OaAdzecdEn2RtXFUfmpFmSXhpe3dtY78k30ZgzBrZqousJbBuBkaglk3OBWJAvQUYyQotfJt4R0XgdF1kJ4CSicY/s1600/DSC_0282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFcjZZ1JrmwTfI9yTAyOXhaE6GKLR-Dc-gFs8FyqfwYifIdmKII-OaAdzecdEn2RtXFUfmpFmSXhpe3dtY78k30ZgzBrZqousJbBuBkaglk3OBWJAvQUYyQotfJt4R0XgdF1kJ4CSicY/s1600/DSC_0282.jpg" height="260" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>About StoneFest</b><br />
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<a href="http://stonefest.org/" target="_blank">StoneFest </a>came to be after Scott Hackney (partner of <a href="http://www.marenakos.com/" target="_blank">Marenakos Rock Center</a>), <a href="http://www.moroscofinearts.com/" target="_blank">Alexandra Morosco</a> (sculptor, and Trow & Holden Field Representative at the time) and Randy Potter (<a href="http://www.trowandholden.com/" target="_blank">Trow and Holden Tool Co</a>.) had a short tool demo day at Marenakos. It was such a great experience they visualized, bringing together carvers and masons and working together for several days. As director, Morosco planned a four day event in 2004 through the <a href="http://www.nwssa.org/" target="_blank">Northwest Stone Sculptors Association</a> which was a total success! Sculptors were exposed to the vibrant stone mason, <a href="http://www.ecosse.ca/" target="_blank">Bobby Watt</a> and learned about function, gravity and basic building principles. Masons got to blow off all their corners and make a square stone round or curvy. They had so much fun, It was clear this needed to happen again.<br />
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Marenakos Rock Center adopted the role of sponsoring this most extraordinary event in the Pacific Northwest and called it StoneFest. StoneFest is now the annual gathering for those who LOVE STONE. This educational event offers something that is a unique experience for the stonemason, the carver, architect, landscape designer, or simply those who want to further their connection with stone.<br />
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The story of this years StoneFest however, starts much closer to home at a stone festival far more familiar to me, <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2013/10/feile-na-gcloch-festival-of-stone-2013.html" target="_blank">Feile na gCloch</a> on Inis Oirr. I have written about it many times, and it is a place special to many of us here in the stone world in Ireland. It has also become precious to Scott and Alexandra who have been coming to Inis Oirr for the past few years and will be back again this year.<br />
Inspired by their recent experiences in Ireland as well as the large number of Irish and Scots attending, Scott and Alexandra went with a very strong Irish theme for StoneFest 2014.<br />
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Renowned Irish stonemason / author <a href="http://homepage.eircom.net/~mcafee/" target="_blank">Patrick McAfee</a> is a regular instructor at StoneFest and has brought a regular Irish influence into the projects at StoneFest (note the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloch%C3%A1n" target="_blank">Clochán</a> in the photo at the top of this post that they built during the 2010 StoneFest)<br />
For this years festival Patrick designed two very special Irish inspired structures.<br />
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<b>The Early Irish Christian Church </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsl9gHyq8NcbeOvHFbVZltsL01yQE2c-98kk0sp7k-NDICUeuLOZUOBzEiVoEHClYV08SaSLRXIwsoXp3zgoDlxOeYxlEFca1yTGKqRWSgQu9EoiwUq5VZnan7LQXLOjJfcNkjI4s0rQ/s1600/church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsl9gHyq8NcbeOvHFbVZltsL01yQE2c-98kk0sp7k-NDICUeuLOZUOBzEiVoEHClYV08SaSLRXIwsoXp3zgoDlxOeYxlEFca1yTGKqRWSgQu9EoiwUq5VZnan7LQXLOjJfcNkjI4s0rQ/s1600/church.jpg" height="157" width="400" /></a></div>
This replica of an Early Irish Christian Church was built using local granite rubble and earth mortar and is only slightly smaller than the similar ones found in Ireland.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomas Lipps cuts quoins for the church as building continues in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone busting under the watchful eyes of instructors Pat McAfee and Bobby Watt </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The church site-a hive of activity.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The church rises out of the ground.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stonework nearing completion. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRWOWbZbKO-mXdhDZWHqSU8f46QPxur6_cHk4ng3hxuEURrR3N226qylnJekCaf_6Fh1gUsnuxo2JkXwwx0KwZm6frUrQtmFQvOELDOUFUoD3z6WScHAFTwgIJch6YuOUf4-bEvbWI-Q/s1600/DSC_0329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRWOWbZbKO-mXdhDZWHqSU8f46QPxur6_cHk4ng3hxuEURrR3N226qylnJekCaf_6Fh1gUsnuxo2JkXwwx0KwZm6frUrQtmFQvOELDOUFUoD3z6WScHAFTwgIJch6YuOUf4-bEvbWI-Q/s1600/DSC_0329.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pat McAfee having a well earned drink upon completion of the stonework. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stonework complete and ready for its timber roof. </td></tr>
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<b>The dry stone 'Krak'</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newtown Castle</td></tr>
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The dry stone project was inspired by the unique <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newtown_Castle" target="_blank">Newtown castle</a> in Co. Clare (Unique because unlike most other tower houses in Ireland, Newtown Castle is round but rises from a square pyramidal base).</div>
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Inspired by this Pat designed a scaled down version of a 13th century defensive structure known as a '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krak_des_Chevaliers" target="_blank">Krak</a>'.</div>
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This type of defensive structure has the same type of complex shapes as Newtown Castle, with round turrets emerging from the steep sloping defensive walls. The turrets were used to provide a projecting defensive position for archers, allowing covering fire to the adjacent wall. The steep slope (or batter) of the wall prevents attackers hiding at the base of the wall but also allowed people inside the fort to throw rocks and other projectiles down that would bounce off the sloping wall and into the faces of the attackers. (as demonstrated by Nick and myself below)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Defending the keep with arrow and stone.</td></tr>
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The Krak was built last week under the instruction of Nick Aitken, with the help of Ken Curran, Sunny Wieler, Eric Landman, Russ Beardsley, and Alan Ash to name but a few. </div>
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This scaled down Krak is a complex looking structure, but when broken down into individual elements it was essentially an L shaped wall (plum on one side, 1: 2 batter on the other) with round pillars on the corners.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building of the Krak begins</td></tr>
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The part that had everyone stumped for a while was the quoin stones, and how to get the cylindrical shape to emerge from the pyramidal shape wall. After much head scratching they managed to carve the cylindrical shape into the unforgiving Pennsylvania blue stone. This stone only wants to break perpendicular to the grain so trying to achieve a 1:2 batter into a 6" bed took up a lot of time.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some much needed shade in an unusually sunny week in Seattle </td></tr>
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Fortunately the guys at Marenakos guillotined the limestone blocks into pie shapes for the turrets and so sped up the process and got everyone back on track.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhdZmcUEbi5803xrprUhGyL-5yG9uJoJYNKoC3pBEvLQzXY36SJU3qNauuyeoN4RqU4bsYwBN52Y7mD9oXs9VWboCyfYU51nA5daYltN63Qi-uDX4F9lbice7lxlNp4vSTohiPOYhI4g/s1600/DSC_0246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhdZmcUEbi5803xrprUhGyL-5yG9uJoJYNKoC3pBEvLQzXY36SJU3qNauuyeoN4RqU4bsYwBN52Y7mD9oXs9VWboCyfYU51nA5daYltN63Qi-uDX4F9lbice7lxlNp4vSTohiPOYhI4g/s1600/DSC_0246.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The turrets begin to rise</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken Curran breaking stones</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxOptCImyJB1BleJweH4XkdLtcUD54ieV8rTSX0ayLUC_Y6zIvM-heFOFdu9ElTdisOH4nHxcusbsEtBQeoRmNuHTlP7fKsHAY7a9JIJ9O9l2hd_NEfXNP1CFob0eMyWVCFhjGVbc39w/s1600/DSC_0241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxOptCImyJB1BleJweH4XkdLtcUD54ieV8rTSX0ayLUC_Y6zIvM-heFOFdu9ElTdisOH4nHxcusbsEtBQeoRmNuHTlP7fKsHAY7a9JIJ9O9l2hd_NEfXNP1CFob0eMyWVCFhjGVbc39w/s1600/DSC_0241.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alan Ash enjoying some stone pies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33q4p5lDoV2zuPG3Sh2czfjfYF-VHpcwlm93WvEh2vPNyhDNvbq2ou-vBpx6qXbhjc1coRwepqCPCfy5tFaukmkC9PPq7kEMwC9re-fdbGFBFVUVA3idkX_XRgcWYq5nqAxb8LNa8Bn4/s1600/DSC_0258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33q4p5lDoV2zuPG3Sh2czfjfYF-VHpcwlm93WvEh2vPNyhDNvbq2ou-vBpx6qXbhjc1coRwepqCPCfy5tFaukmkC9PPq7kEMwC9re-fdbGFBFVUVA3idkX_XRgcWYq5nqAxb8LNa8Bn4/s1600/DSC_0258.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken and Russ's lovely round caps are placed under the watchful eye of Nick </td></tr>
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The builders had hoped to go higher with the towers but the lack of time and stone gave everyone an excuse to come back. All said and done, it did make for an attractive structure. It was also great for wallers from Ireland, America, Canada and Scotland to come together to play with stones.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fortress completed</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken Curran and Rory Noone enjoy some fortification inside the Krak</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunny propping up the outer turret </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King of the castle. Scott Hackney enjoys the new addition to the stone village at Marenakos yard</td></tr>
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<b>Milestones </b></div>
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Under the instruction of some of the finest stone carvers and letter cutters around (including <a href="http://www.fairplaystonecarver.com/" target="_blank">Nicholas Fairplay</a>, Keith Phillips, <a href="http://www.karinsprague.com/" target="_blank">Karin Sprague</a>, <a href="http://www.tracymahaffey.com/" target="_blank">Tracy Mahaffey</a> and <a href="http://www.rhodesworksdesign.com/" target="_blank">Richard Rhodes</a>)</div>
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The theme for this years workshops was Milestones.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzuH9xp6RmF4v3X2Wbsl5Ngn_1ZSXA37zQO2OF_wG2tl3lIrfaqlPNw_B0F3DBc8AwNjQWC6yMv3Rhf8FLwqcSk4AFKw5bYxnt1hej132drNrmrZF7j_gLQIZx2JR-HQQK28wUrr14Y4/s1600/DSC_0236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzuH9xp6RmF4v3X2Wbsl5Ngn_1ZSXA37zQO2OF_wG2tl3lIrfaqlPNw_B0F3DBc8AwNjQWC6yMv3Rhf8FLwqcSk4AFKw5bYxnt1hej132drNrmrZF7j_gLQIZx2JR-HQQK28wUrr14Y4/s1600/DSC_0236.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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Most commonly, Milestones are known as a stone by the side of a road that shows the distance in miles to a specified place. Metaphorically, they have also become known as an important point in the progress or development of something, a very important event or advance. Students were given the opportunity to explore all the venues of StoneFest: Build a milestone into a wall, carve one for a personal achievement or celebration in ones life and bring it home.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOd462Pz5vzUoYSKwXoTHKrxFzVjfyk3FxxDMENFMzm4cjq4tFZJEplScCrAIFnx30mkTvl80YOl2gOKEDQpskRdiHJU0zxlnap0u1lqDuyV2umOIcvaWTUKH79zohMjbwszjh9YcosJ4/s1600/DSC_0144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOd462Pz5vzUoYSKwXoTHKrxFzVjfyk3FxxDMENFMzm4cjq4tFZJEplScCrAIFnx30mkTvl80YOl2gOKEDQpskRdiHJU0zxlnap0u1lqDuyV2umOIcvaWTUKH79zohMjbwszjh9YcosJ4/s1600/DSC_0144.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karin Sprague surrounded by eager students.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCiaSI8PnYmp3ziYgButr-blUKIt8AjHUa3ROeNFjAzJ_1_NocPx33-alVVUxYYMeDgTeLzJUPDH85lGeF5Xgpx0YHw8AjSnjP2E5_CtHFn8Ssqg8zDXHnYhXIwN90rO-fRqOOHFnYb-Y/s1600/DSC_0238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCiaSI8PnYmp3ziYgButr-blUKIt8AjHUa3ROeNFjAzJ_1_NocPx33-alVVUxYYMeDgTeLzJUPDH85lGeF5Xgpx0YHw8AjSnjP2E5_CtHFn8Ssqg8zDXHnYhXIwN90rO-fRqOOHFnYb-Y/s1600/DSC_0238.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning from each other. President of the <a href="http://www.nwssa.org/" target="_blank">Northwest Stone Sculptors Association</a> Carl Nelson takes some pointers from instructor Tracy Mahaffey</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbF6AYzF-ePz2LJ4bJLSsFz7CJzei7F98gOyW-j5eRxAJ99a-aod-lR1IkwBjNeAWmDkAu41F3PfQDjO3Up9uPs2oaTCYi7eBOlauowlAHKA_6szsWCejlATonL1ULOr_k7QbpQKr_ILo/s1600/DSC_0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbF6AYzF-ePz2LJ4bJLSsFz7CJzei7F98gOyW-j5eRxAJ99a-aod-lR1IkwBjNeAWmDkAu41F3PfQDjO3Up9uPs2oaTCYi7eBOlauowlAHKA_6szsWCejlATonL1ULOr_k7QbpQKr_ILo/s1600/DSC_0195.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Randy Potter in the <a href="http://www.trowandholden.com/" target="_blank">Trow and Holden</a> tool shop</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqo_75Wr5AS9-Lc3hGL1f9nZFRIAz88gwNy_BDgiiNgLXw_Tj63JitG0tMmimFQExFr7vh3BB5a7f5FeLWEusfwFa0t8aTfPQdi7Sr2QWmits7rbHcEd-uLsrB7T2g8aBVgpXKBrZQ788/s1600/DSC_0193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqo_75Wr5AS9-Lc3hGL1f9nZFRIAz88gwNy_BDgiiNgLXw_Tj63JitG0tMmimFQExFr7vh3BB5a7f5FeLWEusfwFa0t8aTfPQdi7Sr2QWmits7rbHcEd-uLsrB7T2g8aBVgpXKBrZQ788/s1600/DSC_0193.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rory Noone</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpOkpzO6q9bgYBGbrJvQW5ULI8S-I9-6Qs3Lq8uGaw8IhARVB08XWPD7_GWHzcKSixCWaA7knKOcSZCWWc9Sc4nLBlPR_1qSeXdnNDdDR02-lazAPpchv_ZCP8O4uJ0RGULigWu-BczI/s1600/DSC_0189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpOkpzO6q9bgYBGbrJvQW5ULI8S-I9-6Qs3Lq8uGaw8IhARVB08XWPD7_GWHzcKSixCWaA7knKOcSZCWWc9Sc4nLBlPR_1qSeXdnNDdDR02-lazAPpchv_ZCP8O4uJ0RGULigWu-BczI/s1600/DSC_0189.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instructor Nicholas Fairplay giving some guidance</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTIR3xqcOevPmxH_1ql2_S-3x44ipUtVguuUa14pWf1wP7D0gCM10ZiA3OTDbqyW-NXQwLtJKeumwPJWg52PQEDSLAWkxBPXTl5HykPOqyT3ToUtyaMkvuVR0G5x4bwiZmyKF1cSFOHo/s1600/DSC_0232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTIR3xqcOevPmxH_1ql2_S-3x44ipUtVguuUa14pWf1wP7D0gCM10ZiA3OTDbqyW-NXQwLtJKeumwPJWg52PQEDSLAWkxBPXTl5HykPOqyT3ToUtyaMkvuVR0G5x4bwiZmyKF1cSFOHo/s1600/DSC_0232.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neil Rippingale of <a href="http://www.drystone.org/" target="_blank">The Dry Stone Conservancy</a> getting a taste for letter carving</td></tr>
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One of the things I love about events like this is seeing people getting their first taste of stone and instantly becoming hooked. Whether its someone like Neil above who has decades of experience working with dry stone, who has only now discovered his passion and talent for letter carving, or someone like Daniel Poisson (below) who before StoneFest had never touched chisel and stone before. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxWFLBPeE7jWvVWTsVSk3oExPctlHaluZXCEed6IlL0OCRVzu2g8cwNMSekklK3RHXTY_AyfriFJE8KQj7TvYJpsWfp2K7Xp1-ujuDErVkb7_v8t0JsG6yMH1k45RcrHdtuAEd78-TKU/s1600/Dan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxWFLBPeE7jWvVWTsVSk3oExPctlHaluZXCEed6IlL0OCRVzu2g8cwNMSekklK3RHXTY_AyfriFJE8KQj7TvYJpsWfp2K7Xp1-ujuDErVkb7_v8t0JsG6yMH1k45RcrHdtuAEd78-TKU/s1600/Dan.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel Poisson and his first ever stone carving</td></tr>
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Daniel Poisson is a graphic artist but this was his first ever carving. I am also delighted to hear that not only has he sold his first stone sculpture, he has already begun work on his first commissioned piece. You can read about Daniel's experience at StoneFest on his blog <a href="http://codeofcreation.blogspot.ie/2014/05/my-first-stone-carving.html?spref=fb" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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It is a wonderful feeling making that first connection with stone and thinking 'HELL YAAA' and being hooked evermore. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbwRM3AGTHehzNxhkvryVqNgLUG9Scy-vXPI4EeviLxvFcLAOyESiA7Ij-GRO-8TIJGKBkY8Z0NcIEYWXkc7wQSPg2d6v9V8f2iL3nGnykz0DXf2Sg-EiVn0GYXW28Bdzra3KOjwVrfI/s1600/DSC_0185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbwRM3AGTHehzNxhkvryVqNgLUG9Scy-vXPI4EeviLxvFcLAOyESiA7Ij-GRO-8TIJGKBkY8Z0NcIEYWXkc7wQSPg2d6v9V8f2iL3nGnykz0DXf2Sg-EiVn0GYXW28Bdzra3KOjwVrfI/s1600/DSC_0185.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike Schroeder works with a group using Portland cement based masonry</td></tr>
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This is one of the things I love about StoneFest, it is a convergence of all the disciplines of stone. There is no cliquey groups here, no hierarchy or prejudice, just people brought together in a collective celebration of all things STONE.</div>
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Another highlight of the week was the big StoneFest Feast on the Thursday. The spectacle put on by the hosts in honour of the Celtic themed festival was nothing short of jaw dropping, with a night filled with festivity, music, food and a few pints!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vbhICFNGtlyx2G0EmU3pPr9R7EiWBzdgigONUdgSaQT-Imz0ReNMTdMyiEkob9okbby583sv-9vhU80mEqqa-cqTVEiG7v0Ud2DEMNCFYGVSVmE-JxGrACX25-dMw_UiDItSzNxRVqI/s1600/PastedGraphic-10.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vbhICFNGtlyx2G0EmU3pPr9R7EiWBzdgigONUdgSaQT-Imz0ReNMTdMyiEkob9okbby583sv-9vhU80mEqqa-cqTVEiG7v0Ud2DEMNCFYGVSVmE-JxGrACX25-dMw_UiDItSzNxRVqI/s1600/PastedGraphic-10.tiff" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The opening of the StoneFest Feast (Photo Tomas Lipps of <a href="http://www.stonefoundation.org/" target="_blank">The Stone Foundation</a>)</td></tr>
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It is important to note that the StoneFest Feast was also a fundraiser for the wonderful 'OnTrack' Scholarship which made it possible for people like myself, Ken Curran and Rory Noone to attend. You can read more about this Scholarship program <a href="http://stonefest.org/ontrackscholarship/" target="_blank">here</a> as well as information about becoming a sponsor of this wonderful program. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxJz_y2v5vHzBqOtE8cXxSj_cb3FcqYngDEXblJcIQ6aTwQmndY0Fl7AxrXrEP4tkARgB48-2qm7aH08RxebMS4HPXVWfet4Q2q_2a0wHEhzIzM3-2OqM4EWj8D4OvTl6Id3i_k3QzKU/s1600/PastedGraphic-9.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxJz_y2v5vHzBqOtE8cXxSj_cb3FcqYngDEXblJcIQ6aTwQmndY0Fl7AxrXrEP4tkARgB48-2qm7aH08RxebMS4HPXVWfet4Q2q_2a0wHEhzIzM3-2OqM4EWj8D4OvTl6Id3i_k3QzKU/s1600/PastedGraphic-9.tiff" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lords of StoneFest Scott Hackney (in the white blazer) and to his right Alexandra Morosco (Photo Tomas Lipps of <a href="http://www.stonefoundation.org/" target="_blank">The Stone Foundation</a>)</td></tr>
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And so ended StoneFest 2014. With a heavy heart I packed my bags and started the long trek back home. Arriving back home in Ireland I felt jet-lagged but yet strangely invigorated at the same time. Convergences like this are important, I feel, the energy and enthusiasm here is infectious. Just as important is the exchange of stories, knowledge, and the lessons learned with people in the same industry, which is hugely beneficial. </div>
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I cannot thank Alexandra and Scott enough for what they are doing on both a personal and professional level. It was so wonderful to see people connect with stone and indeed explore stone in new ways.</div>
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To my knowledge there is nothing else like Stonefest that brings together all the disciplines of stone and celebrates them equally together. There is a great scene of passion and inclusiveness here that was evident in all the smiling faces I saw there all week. </div>
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I must admit that the past few months leading up to Stonefest I had been doubting my future with stone due to the sheer lack of opportunities here in Ireland. But as I had hoped it would, spending some time with like- minded people during and around StoneFest has given me the inspiration and focus to carry on. </div>
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Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-53525507507347114152014-03-22T22:07:00.000+00:002014-03-22T22:37:25.702+00:00Bloom 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Almost a year late, but here is the story of my involvement in <a href="http://bloominthepark.com/" target="_blank">Bloom in the Park</a> garden show last year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiO2a1koIDczjdbekRWh1-FA-SGhabVrwQotEvM-w0yTJEL9jx2FyhPNWaVG4nhX0tRkFK_uK7BYlQ6Ea_Ecy3cPGY2aKRZK8j9_uHMHhMqZFLrBATQReC_9LFXs1VJlUv_FTL-MqcNNI/s1600/971867_10152851000285023_550009206_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiO2a1koIDczjdbekRWh1-FA-SGhabVrwQotEvM-w0yTJEL9jx2FyhPNWaVG4nhX0tRkFK_uK7BYlQ6Ea_Ecy3cPGY2aKRZK8j9_uHMHhMqZFLrBATQReC_9LFXs1VJlUv_FTL-MqcNNI/s1600/971867_10152851000285023_550009206_n.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim Austen's Gold winning garden at bloom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1vK48xTbWGUAqjCRsUijPBKPMM0obIS2GgaCLk3Jfm-CKFMQdVFxmruChBJFYmCrTz_Qku9VTKUjLPT_IC0p9xiZCqsDg9yA2HyG4eyUBUKU8qohIZsCbtthgOK6-3wJbMYy_e9DkxQ/s1600/buildingtheclassroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1vK48xTbWGUAqjCRsUijPBKPMM0obIS2GgaCLk3Jfm-CKFMQdVFxmruChBJFYmCrTz_Qku9VTKUjLPT_IC0p9xiZCqsDg9yA2HyG4eyUBUKU8qohIZsCbtthgOK6-3wJbMYy_e9DkxQ/s1600/buildingtheclassroom.jpg" height="131" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2013/11/an-outdoor-classroom.html" target="_blank">Outdoor classroom</a> under <br />
construction during spring 2013 </td></tr>
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Picking up icy cold stones in January of 2013 as the winter was slowly easing its grip on the country, I powered on through the cold in a bid to get my outdoor classroom project completed for my May deadline.<br />
It was during this time that I was contacted by renowned Irish landscape designer <a href="http://www.timaustengardendesigns.com/" target="_blank">Tim Austen</a>. A regular medal winner at Bloom, Tim was designing a large garden for the competition and was wondering if I would be interested in creating one of my mosaic panels as a centre piece for his garden. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivruDcIjTGxn3I7pViZGrMFwL4wmzcGlvrGj-s4EzsYyNUxGPN1yDUjVusJBGm0gf7Mw8rB47_luOoUaLkPHEyQZIUr33J7jxtZHqPajvEM4PzR_DQVst4T5MReXawcPaGAdteadO8yFE/s1600/098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivruDcIjTGxn3I7pViZGrMFwL4wmzcGlvrGj-s4EzsYyNUxGPN1yDUjVusJBGm0gf7Mw8rB47_luOoUaLkPHEyQZIUr33J7jxtZHqPajvEM4PzR_DQVst4T5MReXawcPaGAdteadO8yFE/s1600/098.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Aquilegia vulgaris </i>‘Black Barlow’ standing proud in front of my mosaic panel. </td></tr>
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Being a fan of Tim's previous show gardens, I was delighted to be a part of his latest garden.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_t9VPlP8b2Vg3uoZmpYFFmGVNupO1dJLnWScqsS_08Z-SLDxAn12IjdgTo09l7Ka7BwfAuU41XIBIdlH8CYLZDPc9W0n_LpA_w6UwJVACwwoJhj4yvNS4iXbVTIxfbwtLd0pAy2Hutg/s1600/945692_10152854911010023_560491511_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_t9VPlP8b2Vg3uoZmpYFFmGVNupO1dJLnWScqsS_08Z-SLDxAn12IjdgTo09l7Ka7BwfAuU41XIBIdlH8CYLZDPc9W0n_LpA_w6UwJVACwwoJhj4yvNS4iXbVTIxfbwtLd0pAy2Hutg/s1600/945692_10152854911010023_560491511_n.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Tim Austen's Giardino della mostra </span></td></tr>
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As Tim explains on <a href="http://www.timaustengardendesigns.com/projects/show-gardens/bloom-2013-giardino-della-mostra-2/" target="_blank">his website</a> Giardino della mostra, translating generally from the Italian as “exhibition garden” or “garden of exhibits,” is a garden that encourages you to design your own garden to a strong theme whilst referring to the fact that a good garden is formed from the sum of its parts. The concept and layout are, in part, inspired by Ireland’s only permanent exhibition of show gardens at <a href="http://gardenworld.ie/" target="_blank">Gardenworld, Kilquade </a>(the National Garden Exhibition Centre), Co. Wicklow. Here a wonderful collection of individual gardens, arranged around the central avenue, collectively inspire and encourage gardeners at all levels to follow a design in their own gardens. The central avenue, with water features and arches are the main elements that are referenced in Giardino della mostra, along with beech hedging that forms a soft backdrop to the garden. Moving through the garden, areas of differing character are also seen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDWhyphenhyphentqVtS__tWrDDrZ5fQUcHlY6O6eEHj8IFMU3TuYrLIQxx6DObF9Zb60KYWCx-upFSI7yAnd4ddMnKaekiN72Nohz8KfNYY1AqglOR9TvmyhQVoJghSfVIbklq1asXqVcadG0cQEM/s1600/969648_10152848319990023_1945349472_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDWhyphenhyphentqVtS__tWrDDrZ5fQUcHlY6O6eEHj8IFMU3TuYrLIQxx6DObF9Zb60KYWCx-upFSI7yAnd4ddMnKaekiN72Nohz8KfNYY1AqglOR9TvmyhQVoJghSfVIbklq1asXqVcadG0cQEM/s1600/969648_10152848319990023_1945349472_n.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Tim Austen's Giardino della Mostra</span></td></tr>
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Unfortunately for me the garden show was on the weekend before the completion date for my outdoor classroom project so this meant that I would be spending many weekends over the next few months in the studio.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7yu3RzGlYM-y41BLZ9kzVdW2R0M1gy3ITh47cInA5UOOlw3I9I2v0dX52uULXxJMWfUYPFMcP4ciBE5-ingPyhZhzdu3a2lm6fIyFo0BbxcTOK8nr6xzCfkuE9p3ur5Hikase69owJo/s1600/408487_10152778725590023_750945722_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7yu3RzGlYM-y41BLZ9kzVdW2R0M1gy3ITh47cInA5UOOlw3I9I2v0dX52uULXxJMWfUYPFMcP4ciBE5-ingPyhZhzdu3a2lm6fIyFo0BbxcTOK8nr6xzCfkuE9p3ur5Hikase69owJo/s1600/408487_10152778725590023_750945722_n.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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When making mosaic panels (as well as <a href="http://www.stoneart.ie/site41/index.php/sculptures-sale-" target="_blank">other stone art</a> pieces) I try and see if the client has any connection with any particular stone. In this case, as Tim is a proud Wicklow man, and golden granite being the stone of Wicklow, we decided to incorporate granite into the mosaic.<br />
So my first task was breaking up chunks of granite into usable pieces for the mosaic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdpj8BPWXe6EP2fQKWz6I6JX_kzGSUdvdZ14I-wSUVJ7KGNr39tB7UAwdpngBW86_bKnT7fTYs8qQkGHEglZUfr4YqVkiOOzzxtsJQ4UpbGmjrsYrb-6eT_MQDL7ze1o9wg9Clev5BB0/s1600/23456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdpj8BPWXe6EP2fQKWz6I6JX_kzGSUdvdZ14I-wSUVJ7KGNr39tB7UAwdpngBW86_bKnT7fTYs8qQkGHEglZUfr4YqVkiOOzzxtsJQ4UpbGmjrsYrb-6eT_MQDL7ze1o9wg9Clev5BB0/s1600/23456.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At work in the studio with help from my lovely wife. </td></tr>
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As the workload started to mount up, working on both the outdoor classroom and the show garden, I called in reinforcements to help. Help with the mosaic came from my wonderful supportive wife Christine who came and helped out with completing the mosaic work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIlSQLg0h5bN7nWfa_lhMbBcypY98WIn6_UP8aiOIkFflNg4etyq62Q88dpAiNWAi33jzbL7GkW5hFJrh9zAhsbAKRNO3UXCYR6yCTjM_Cs-AUHqpC5-RaA9TUjUZmsrXyblbb3Sijm8/s1600/DSC_0006-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIlSQLg0h5bN7nWfa_lhMbBcypY98WIn6_UP8aiOIkFflNg4etyq62Q88dpAiNWAi33jzbL7GkW5hFJrh9zAhsbAKRNO3UXCYR6yCTjM_Cs-AUHqpC5-RaA9TUjUZmsrXyblbb3Sijm8/s1600/DSC_0006-2.jpg" height="400" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine cleaning the mirror</td></tr>
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Back on site, work was commencing with the garden. There was some friendly rivalry between designers on site, and they were often seen walking the grounds checking out the competition. It was for this reason that Tim wanted to keep the mosaic secret only to be installed for the big reveal at the end. The framework for the mosaic did have to be installed earlier in the build, so to keep people guessing 'flatscreen TV here' was written on the framework to throw the rivals off.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJzim16E2xX2eOJinGds1SG3wuA5_QExT5HkFemkeXNTnoIEP7JqjWbo0ia4Lg2ciUBKw8pCphRUJtBCvCoEhb2VVTnnn4W0xPXpD9DZqI9rx1U7EU42_jL20GZYREJNLex0KIxGcehM/s1600/DSCF5038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJzim16E2xX2eOJinGds1SG3wuA5_QExT5HkFemkeXNTnoIEP7JqjWbo0ia4Lg2ciUBKw8pCphRUJtBCvCoEhb2VVTnnn4W0xPXpD9DZqI9rx1U7EU42_jL20GZYREJNLex0KIxGcehM/s1600/DSCF5038.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Installing the mosaic. Photo Tim Austen</td></tr>
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Tim had a really great crew working with him on the garden, and it took most of them to help me get the mosaic into place. Made of natural stone and cement, it weighed well over 200kg. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVnowONcNYuBNsiclAIKGnwl4oTURLbqZ5V_4qpyS03WyzD4Q8AuI9-mrVRJu3h5ec4y625HPIcUBFc7XQza0rcaY83K2uOSGsp26qrpfjW_k0E7DKw2fVh-0idZIo3cg_VQuuYpdvb0/s1600/1505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVnowONcNYuBNsiclAIKGnwl4oTURLbqZ5V_4qpyS03WyzD4Q8AuI9-mrVRJu3h5ec4y625HPIcUBFc7XQza0rcaY83K2uOSGsp26qrpfjW_k0E7DKw2fVh-0idZIo3cg_VQuuYpdvb0/s1600/1505.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished piece. 220cmx 120cm granite, Liscannor sandstone and mirror mosaic panel by <a href="http://www.stoneart.ie/" target="_blank">Stone Art</a></td></tr>
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Tim was also keen for me to be involved in two of the other stone features in the garden, the old forest-like dry stone wall and one of the water features. As I was short on time I thought this would be a great opportunity for some of <a href="http://www.dswai.com/" target="_blank">The Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland</a> to get involved in the project. Two good friends of mine from the DSWAI <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthStone/107819046036924" target="_blank">Ken Curran</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/traditionalstonecrafts" target="_blank">Alex Panteleyenko </a> took over the responsibility for this from me and did a really wonderful job of making a dry stone wall look like it has been sitting there for decades. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6Wg_3f6Sayk0a7eipGhNqtQ8JfD1uFduysDtsv8nZnezEgsutEQtVK-RGLPVp-WnNNyY13xJlBclfa6_DgwyfUjodAH6znGpudSTvX-vqvy_ChR-I-Lc6AKQYTG6HrdMtLql0LyPXSo/s1600/1381609_242262375925923_1704609630_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6Wg_3f6Sayk0a7eipGhNqtQ8JfD1uFduysDtsv8nZnezEgsutEQtVK-RGLPVp-WnNNyY13xJlBclfa6_DgwyfUjodAH6znGpudSTvX-vqvy_ChR-I-Lc6AKQYTG6HrdMtLql0LyPXSo/s1600/1381609_242262375925923_1704609630_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry stone wall built by DSWAI members Ken Curran and Alex Panteleyenko. Photo Ken Curran</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvUvIW9gG0HQ8Nzh2u4ASktuZQFkIrvY0BKCGUbxKzg4QQCGJBflTpIJejOMzBDCoNgKbH-VT6D1gLdEefFx9686zdblRg6EsupfEM6eOD9UXin_F15dSkk6cetql6NtPJ80q_TwL77Q/s1600/484750_10152848319415023_1951327985_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvUvIW9gG0HQ8Nzh2u4ASktuZQFkIrvY0BKCGUbxKzg4QQCGJBflTpIJejOMzBDCoNgKbH-VT6D1gLdEefFx9686zdblRg6EsupfEM6eOD9UXin_F15dSkk6cetql6NtPJ80q_TwL77Q/s1600/484750_10152848319415023_1951327985_n.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished wall surrounded with woodland shade planting and a bronze sculpture by<a href="http://eamonnceannt.ie/" target="_blank"> Eamonn Ceannt</a> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkdoTvwQVU4t4x7D0BNPr04fkAp5fKqTkL-qPNIasjzLpswdxalsAzDaP9gPyZ32Xg_m4KvPykistOC0onlR_cTcn9li0J9dXTU7gxk0epJ9xytrcO3h5GFSsFeBSPSQw1xljqliUYWE/s1600/1231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkdoTvwQVU4t4x7D0BNPr04fkAp5fKqTkL-qPNIasjzLpswdxalsAzDaP9gPyZ32Xg_m4KvPykistOC0onlR_cTcn9li0J9dXTU7gxk0epJ9xytrcO3h5GFSsFeBSPSQw1xljqliUYWE/s1600/1231.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Limestone pebble water feature by <a href="http://www.stoneart.ie/" target="_blank">Stone Art</a></td></tr>
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Unlike the mosaic panel, the water feature had to be made on site. Tim was inspired by the free flowing pebble work of UK artist <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2013/01/can-tradespeople-be-artists-lets-ask.html" target="_blank">Johnny Clasper</a> and wanted something similar. I first contacted Johnny to see if he wanted to come over to do it but unfortunately he was busy with show gardens in the UK at the same time. So I decided to do it myself. So I would spend the next three days on my knees in the garden building the water feature, and it would have been even longer had Alex Panteleyenko not stuck around for an extra day after finishing the dry stone wall to help get me started with the water feature.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIW0_lhqliJMMrprW8pnGgONEzmWVcG9Zq6YuCx0-q0DZ90H31Zhof_3o-lhVmhA3zOlreV0L_9H94NcvZqAYm02rTb4O-I-fCN5ttkPXh0UrVGP6_TdkZCjbwWC3OGzzlI31MOjvVW6A/s1600/DSCF4962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIW0_lhqliJMMrprW8pnGgONEzmWVcG9Zq6YuCx0-q0DZ90H31Zhof_3o-lhVmhA3zOlreV0L_9H94NcvZqAYm02rTb4O-I-fCN5ttkPXh0UrVGP6_TdkZCjbwWC3OGzzlI31MOjvVW6A/s1600/DSCF4962.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myself and Alex setting the first stones in the water feature. Photo Tim Austen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1L0nHiY46P-zm8Wa3ou5CU6Zu6szOrTn5dYEJjroz7fnJSP0v8lTiLxBzxOJk0CYDKhs_u3NVmzA-11Wpruz3wjNpeSr_FOL_lhA4KoomC1ZwkO-2HJhHQFIVY-mcEBXOxf3r5d8ptB4/s1600/DSCF5014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1L0nHiY46P-zm8Wa3ou5CU6Zu6szOrTn5dYEJjroz7fnJSP0v8lTiLxBzxOJk0CYDKhs_u3NVmzA-11Wpruz3wjNpeSr_FOL_lhA4KoomC1ZwkO-2HJhHQFIVY-mcEBXOxf3r5d8ptB4/s1600/DSCF5014.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slow progress.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGs92K4bvkfvs-qTzT_pK1gBKh63BcYnq2s2pRXTYaYSmRypBTZQvG6zLGJnSflPUOVdm-564hFTOAjTX7tAOldwyLngzQPc-FYzrQ0dHEvldGl6wSDm4JFzwczrpnuC902RF49VtgyN0/s1600/1476544_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGs92K4bvkfvs-qTzT_pK1gBKh63BcYnq2s2pRXTYaYSmRypBTZQvG6zLGJnSflPUOVdm-564hFTOAjTX7tAOldwyLngzQPc-FYzrQ0dHEvldGl6wSDm4JFzwczrpnuC902RF49VtgyN0/s1600/1476544_1.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished piece.</td></tr>
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I was delighted to see Tim win Gold for the garden. It was wonderful to be part of the whole process and look forward to future involvement in the show. It was great to see the reactions to the garden over the festival weekend. Tim's garden proved to be a big hit with many of the 110,000+ visitors who attended the show over the four days of the event.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo88PsrauogKPtvggdY-huTmk8JOk3DaAWKIxoykHZxvXIeVtO2lJS3uGfDmOboPznVscT62SYfAsusAWw1Q7BSbOTY-8UIAGwkGGwClqUS7ZpK-Iw9rENAaOqZfSvy2tpouu85Tb16Zg/s1600/600604_10152854910725023_108735409_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo88PsrauogKPtvggdY-huTmk8JOk3DaAWKIxoykHZxvXIeVtO2lJS3uGfDmOboPznVscT62SYfAsusAWw1Q7BSbOTY-8UIAGwkGGwClqUS7ZpK-Iw9rENAaOqZfSvy2tpouu85Tb16Zg/s1600/600604_10152854910725023_108735409_n.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the 110,000+ people who visited<a href="http://bloominthepark.com/facts/" target="_blank"> Bloom in the Park</a> last year </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavBn3MaTdO2dmLm_wrq7EMVZipdp7oocfxA42RdC-PyxbClCZ7rw7t5L1BIHT_5xtfWIcJqfzPb2W3bhBUo-z7i0L39zdtR65nB9Oos73d0HJFWgi0rVBHH2BOMv3Hk8adigiuuTLyQQ/s1600/michael-D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavBn3MaTdO2dmLm_wrq7EMVZipdp7oocfxA42RdC-PyxbClCZ7rw7t5L1BIHT_5xtfWIcJqfzPb2W3bhBUo-z7i0L39zdtR65nB9Oos73d0HJFWgi0rVBHH2BOMv3Hk8adigiuuTLyQQ/s1600/michael-D.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and his wife chilling out by my mosaic.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3u9fsLpEKV92YlQ2SUgBXfR7W6tMDqbjzV00ykqCccTIUWMwxSJ1iDSy4Vk8c3cYhzxR3WovM8CG4tM_SK7dxQ9Ufa6nHIzo6vEUxqpany4FnxJLiqmM6bI0oN0eN55pjo-SzR7btC_c/s1600/457_10152854909540023_979882284_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3u9fsLpEKV92YlQ2SUgBXfR7W6tMDqbjzV00ykqCccTIUWMwxSJ1iDSy4Vk8c3cYhzxR3WovM8CG4tM_SK7dxQ9Ufa6nHIzo6vEUxqpany4FnxJLiqmM6bI0oN0eN55pjo-SzR7btC_c/s1600/457_10152854909540023_979882284_n.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicate blue flowers of <i>Camassia cusickii</i> (Cussick's camas)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJLvDpzJgbjfXNR7mDGHDRvtAbdcisDf8meVvA6QVjleRLacebXUHhRdk6fhBlicMJxwZRXESkkP1Ea0NheWYNwOQKl2QEDE7MHINI2HK3AULoJUdZGovqZU_s7oD3FJsGAc2dMoX-6Q/s1600/8765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJLvDpzJgbjfXNR7mDGHDRvtAbdcisDf8meVvA6QVjleRLacebXUHhRdk6fhBlicMJxwZRXESkkP1Ea0NheWYNwOQKl2QEDE7MHINI2HK3AULoJUdZGovqZU_s7oD3FJsGAc2dMoX-6Q/s1600/8765.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLPIypLoRJDQAu9BXECLPtP4-OCqKszrMyLN2rWANEp7UwV_7kuc1-nTvH-3pcdODTH9If_z7Vu9md371bE72D618onbHMQtsQCPSCOAEinsYpg6M77mgiVkbLDnK_0kVwI3uV-uBSrc/s1600/960280_10152848319405023_1884825688_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLPIypLoRJDQAu9BXECLPtP4-OCqKszrMyLN2rWANEp7UwV_7kuc1-nTvH-3pcdODTH9If_z7Vu9md371bE72D618onbHMQtsQCPSCOAEinsYpg6M77mgiVkbLDnK_0kVwI3uV-uBSrc/s1600/960280_10152848319405023_1884825688_n.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Mosaic reflected on wet tiles on Tim Austen's Giardino della Mostra</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFf6iUcoXWJMZ20ZvTtugnYA-7KOkecKkdR9_XAMwj2aM8f6wAU-ZEG5GADBKfcqdjPXj4tFs-NauAqGEZEc_QNP3tEQNZT2fVlnLUdCIEek2r-GUXn4wotZtLZFpwSKZj10JnCV9D3pA/s1600/taustenbloom2013-1421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFf6iUcoXWJMZ20ZvTtugnYA-7KOkecKkdR9_XAMwj2aM8f6wAU-ZEG5GADBKfcqdjPXj4tFs-NauAqGEZEc_QNP3tEQNZT2fVlnLUdCIEek2r-GUXn4wotZtLZFpwSKZj10JnCV9D3pA/s1600/taustenbloom2013-1421.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening shot of the water features. Photo courtesy of Tim Austen</td></tr>
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For more information about the garden and its designer check out Tim Austen's Website <a href="http://www.timaustengardendesigns.com/" target="_blank">http://www.timaustengardendesigns.com/</a><br />
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If you have time check out this great short film about Tim's road to Bloom and the building of the show garden. Well worth a watch. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="282" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/69260262?byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe><br />
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Thanks again to Tim Austen for letting me be involved in the wonderful garden. I would also like to make a very special thanks to Alex who after Bloom was over came and helped me for a day to finish off the outdoor classroom which I am pleased to say also got finished on time.<br />
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Also of note. I custom make these mosaic panels in all shapes and sizes so be sure to <a href="http://www.stoneart.ie/site41/index.php/contact-us" target="_blank">contact me</a> with your enquiries should you want one for your garden.Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-72043699408190446852014-03-03T15:07:00.000+00:002014-03-03T15:07:04.433+00:00'The tree that ate the church' and other stone hungry Irish trees <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">Around this time every year I try and do a special tree themed blog post especially for National Tree Week which this year runs from 2nd March to 8th March.<br />
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Reading through this wonderful new book by Aubrey Fennell about the Heritage Trees of Ireland I got inspired to do a blog post on some of the stone hungry trees of Ireland.<br />
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This book is full of wonderful photos, stories and information and I thoroughly recommend getting a copy. Below are two stories from the book that I have been permitted by the publishers to share with you. They are the story of <b>The Tree That Ate the Church in Co. Offaly </b>and the story of <b>Castle One Tree in Co. Cavan </b>written in the words of the author.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Heritage-Trees-Ireland-Aubrey-Fennell/9781848891593?a_aid=stoneartrecommends" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiGLmPFV3QHgz4JOXcYSTmXq1mJKw7p5bn58KCYjo9O0ku24ET3RQLbA6VFnByC3LrDDzO3A9FTBIQNsD3siW_05CQzC58AJA0TYRLoIioVw3r6cl7tRyyXDrmTbP-1BUCLdJHMWVCRo/s1600/9781848891593.jpg" height="400" width="371" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heritage Trees of Ireland By Aubrey Fennell. Click <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Heritage-Trees-Ireland-Aubrey-Fennell/9781848891593?a_aid=stoneartrecommends" target="_blank">here</a> to buy with free worldwide shipping</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;">I have always been fascinated by the folklore surrounding many of Ireland's trees. Many of these trees are also often closely tied to stone I find. Unfortunately though the same trees are also often the slow killers of the same stone structures as was the case below. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TMHA1XSCyIbgN8Axgaj8DdCEfUL5_ZVAP2mx-ECk4gEAqrmAGNvYHKt0OsNAUJgHFDyjMTbUj9zuXbpwwwVipwycLJWfot-mDSNDUfnmUbCxJJfyYMy81wnlQzW_GyVBF1XnvGalF7E/s1600/that-tree-that-ate-the-chur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TMHA1XSCyIbgN8Axgaj8DdCEfUL5_ZVAP2mx-ECk4gEAqrmAGNvYHKt0OsNAUJgHFDyjMTbUj9zuXbpwwwVipwycLJWfot-mDSNDUfnmUbCxJJfyYMy81wnlQzW_GyVBF1XnvGalF7E/s400/that-tree-that-ate-the-chur.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tree that Ate the Church. Co. Offaly. (Photo from <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Heritage-Trees-Ireland-Aubrey-Fennell/9781848891593?a_aid=stoneartrecommends" target="_blank">Heritage Trees of Ireland</a> book with the publishers kind permission)<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Tree That Ate the Church, Tihilly Church, Laughaun, Coleraine, County Offaly</span></b> </div>
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<i>"I have been as guilty as anyone in rushing through the countryside on our improved road network, and not seeing some of the wonders of our beautiful island. The road between Tullamore and Clara was one I had often travelled, when a beam of sunshine illuminated a pair of ash trees I had not noticed before. They are two fields in, behind a farmyard, and after getting permission from the farmer I approached them with growing anticipation.</i></div>
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<i>Surface roots of the first ash seemed ready to grab my ankles and pull me into if gaping cavity. The gargantuan tree did not look benign and, if I did not know better, appeared to be ‘Old Man Willow’ exiled from Tolkien’s Middle-earth. </i></div>
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<i>It stands on a mound of stones which are the remains of Tihilly church. Moss-covered stones and bark merge to create a trunk 7.6m in girth, a new Irish champion at the turn of the millennium. Since then its</i></div>
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<i>cavity has become a cave, which has shrunk its girth to 7.18m. It supports a respectable storm-damaged crown, and at over 300 years old, is living on borrowed time. It probably started life as an opportunist seedling on the walls of the church, when it was abandoned in medieval times. Two walls remain standing beyond its grasping roots.</i></div>
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<i>The second ash stands proudly clear of all this carnage, and is in the prime of life, ready to guard this religious site when the old brute is gone. It shelters a standing High Cross made from sandstone, which depicts scenes from the Bible, along with geometric and animal interlacing. St Fintan founded a monastery here in the seventh century. The last abbot served here in 936, while the church we see now was built from the stones of previous churches.</i></div>
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<i>Ash trees have a special place in Irish folklore, and massive old trees have been venerated down through the ages. After the hawthorn, it is the tree most likely to be found at holy wells and sites of special significance.</i></div>
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<i>Here we have a tree to rival those of the past and I hope to revisit it before it returns to Middle-earth."</i></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Castle One Tree. Bawnboy, County Cavan</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJi_MJGr5CkBsgnlKyyWHqRWTk26OWj5-sMwYKpRhlGoHXGvhjX0M2yIJzsLccps_ZWUk4lw94a-dZ_-lUGek_eNN_DqxTQmSfgaNgLTk3_5ThDx139nHOTVY4WxPfgCaz9rqZQ5AeMOQ/s1600/castle-one-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJi_MJGr5CkBsgnlKyyWHqRWTk26OWj5-sMwYKpRhlGoHXGvhjX0M2yIJzsLccps_ZWUk4lw94a-dZ_-lUGek_eNN_DqxTQmSfgaNgLTk3_5ThDx139nHOTVY4WxPfgCaz9rqZQ5AeMOQ/s400/castle-one-tree.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castle One Tree<br />
(Photo from <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Heritage-Trees-Ireland-Aubrey-Fennell/9781848891593?a_aid=stoneartrecommends" target="_blank">Heritage Trees of Ireland</a> book with the publishers kind permission)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castle One Tree<br />
(Photo from <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Heritage-Trees-Ireland-Aubrey-Fennell/9781848891593?a_aid=stoneartrecommends" target="_blank">Heritage Trees of Ireland</a> book<br />
with the publishers kind permission)</td></tr>
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<i>‘Castle One Tree’ is a recently coined name given to an incredible old ash tree which is gorging on what remains of Lissanover Castle between Bawnboy and Templeport. Lissanover translates from Irish as the ‘Fort of Pride’, and the story goes that one of its occupants had a priest murdered at the altar because he had started Mass without him. In medieval times the castle was a stronghold of the ruling McGovern clan, and commanded views of the Barony of Templeport from Fermanagh to the Shannon basin as it fed into Lough Allen. </i></div>
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<i>Another account translates Lissanover as ‘Fort of Extravagance’; in this version a Baron McGovern was building the castle and had his tenants drive their cows to be milked at the castle every day, and the produce was used instead of water to make the mortar. BuIlocks’ blood was also used, and if anyone refused, the Baron had them hanged.</i></div>
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<i>The McGoverns’ despotic rule did not survive the Elizabethan plantation, and the castle stone was recycled into the construction of Lissanover House in the 18th century. </i></div>
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<i>By the early 20th century, the mansion had suffered the same fate as the castle, and its stone was reused in the building of local farmers’ homes after the estate was divided up by the Land Commission.</i></div>
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<i>Permission to view the tree from Martin Donohoe on whose land the tree stands is essential, as the grazing bullocks may have an ancestral memory of what happened to their forebears. Climb the hill until it levels off, and only bumps and hollows remain of the fort, except for the stout ash on its pedestal of stone. The trunk is over 7m in girth although it is not a conventional trunk, as many roots drop down from the original height of the wall where the ash seeded itself some 300 years ago. The tree’s height and spread is over 18m, and it is obviously thriving on its diet of blood and milk. It is clear why this tree was left well alone, for who knows what malevolent spirit might be released if it is interfered with? The McGoverns had the habit of imprisoning their opponents in wooden barrels with nails driven in and rolling them down the hill from this castle.</i></div>
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Below are two other trees that are stone bound which I have long admired. The first is an old crab apple growing out of a sold rock (an old mass rock I believe) close to my family home in West Cork.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KXrNpbXv4UjKrEVqMtdk1R5F2yuf-aWrIh8FquRHQeNIKNE8hoS-T9mjPFbFDNZgN5vPRdc8ylMfFYR_1QumAQV_TitZE6WlafQDDJ00wwfdVZMtIRkl7YqS74xkU3S8mkFskOnb8Xc/s1600/Mealagh+Valley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KXrNpbXv4UjKrEVqMtdk1R5F2yuf-aWrIh8FquRHQeNIKNE8hoS-T9mjPFbFDNZgN5vPRdc8ylMfFYR_1QumAQV_TitZE6WlafQDDJ00wwfdVZMtIRkl7YqS74xkU3S8mkFskOnb8Xc/s1600/Mealagh+Valley.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab Apple tree, Mealagh Valley, West Cork. (Rock not very visible from this angle as grass has creped up over the rock on this side.) </td></tr>
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The tree below is a lovely old Hawthorn growing through the wall at the 12th century St Doulagh's Well, in the outskirts of Dublin city. I love how the wall around the Hawthorn tree has carefully been maintained and repaired over the years to allow the tree to grow freely through the wall. It was actually visiting this site that inspired me to incorporate the Hawthorn 'fairy tree' into the <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2013/11/an-outdoor-classroom.html" target="_blank">outdoor classroom project</a> I created for the school in Donabate.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawthorn growing through the wall at the 12th century St Doulagh's Well</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymSbcxj2rNVEIU1TGvhLrQeHf9DOD_z3gDDfJh5xyOOAoMbcxPCI6WnG3oYm82bSyS4kh8Y48vlhW7fOlTN7r1HeIAlJV5HvNwUXnMIXOJjlZqlm9e7unttAjY0rD_8y8B-OMVlvdlYc/s1600/planting-the-fairy-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymSbcxj2rNVEIU1TGvhLrQeHf9DOD_z3gDDfJh5xyOOAoMbcxPCI6WnG3oYm82bSyS4kh8Y48vlhW7fOlTN7r1HeIAlJV5HvNwUXnMIXOJjlZqlm9e7unttAjY0rD_8y8B-OMVlvdlYc/s1600/planting-the-fairy-tree.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planting the fairy tree in the <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2013/11/an-outdoor-classroom.html" target="_blank">outdoor classroom</a>. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fairy Tree in place</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">In regards to other Stone Hungry Trees, </span>I also like this photo by Ken Curran of vines consuming a dry stone wall in Co. Tipparary<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctuNx54cvwkTH-to8yoM-Nwj5QlzDb4pn0Eao7I_sFO3PLh81oJPWiXDWDS7VvOjVemdyWIw2g-KlX4CvMr1ckIP08KKhCWKKm7EDxdbANR_D3JW24L8ebZB8nLs7RpBSCqbmFMwRE24/s1600/photo-ken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctuNx54cvwkTH-to8yoM-Nwj5QlzDb4pn0Eao7I_sFO3PLh81oJPWiXDWDS7VvOjVemdyWIw2g-KlX4CvMr1ckIP08KKhCWKKm7EDxdbANR_D3JW24L8ebZB8nLs7RpBSCqbmFMwRE24/s400/photo-ken.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vines consuming a dry stone wall in Co. Tipperary (Photo by Ken Curran of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthStone/107819046036924" target="_blank">Earthstone</a>)</td></tr>
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Grave Yards are also great places to see stone eating trees.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlXatIp7Xu4tR5qLwvQxlwGgo-JC2fHcXqEHik4rY4ilEKdZT1Fs4K3SpuH4VrafctTdrp0Jvzd0mBrb5AxlpZcnHmxWp51A05FsOfhYZSjobKrE4iAE8qeKwWEtdv4z0mPTi-fkb8Mc/s1600/IMG_7146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlXatIp7Xu4tR5qLwvQxlwGgo-JC2fHcXqEHik4rY4ilEKdZT1Fs4K3SpuH4VrafctTdrp0Jvzd0mBrb5AxlpZcnHmxWp51A05FsOfhYZSjobKrE4iAE8qeKwWEtdv4z0mPTi-fkb8Mc/s1600/IMG_7146.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone Hungry trees in Glasnevin cemetery in Dublin</td></tr>
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If you want to see some funny hungry trees from around the world, you should check out this link <a href="http://hungrytrees.com/" target="_blank">http://hungrytrees.com/</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.333333015441895px; line-height: 14.373332977294922px;">You can see my previous posts for National Tree Week </span><a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/search/label/National%20Tree%20Week" style="background-color: white; color: #783f04; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.333333015441895px; line-height: 14.373332977294922px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.333333015441895px; line-height: 14.373332977294922px;">.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">There are plenty of events on around the country this week for National Tree Week. To find out what is happening in your area or to advertise your own event, check out the Tree Council of Ireland website </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #783f04;"><a href="http://www.treecouncil.ie/initiatives/treeweek2014.html" target="_blank">http://www.treecouncil.ie/initiatives/treeweek2014.html</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Thanks again to </span><a href="http://www.collinspress.ie/" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Collins Press </a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> for allowing me to share the stories from their book. </span><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Heritage-Trees-Ireland-Aubrey-Fennell/9781848891593?a_aid=stoneartrecommends" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">The Book Depository</a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> has the wonderful </span></span><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Heritage-Trees-Ireland-Aubrey-Fennell/9781848891593?a_aid=stoneartrecommends" target="_blank">Heritage Trees of Ireland</a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> book on sale at the moment with 39% off plus free worldwide shipping so </span><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Heritage-Trees-Ireland-Aubrey-Fennell/9781848891593?a_aid=stoneartrecommends" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">click here</a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> to get yourself a copy </span></div>
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</span>Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-80698285624391055942013-11-29T18:30:00.001+00:002013-11-29T18:30:54.304+00:00An Outdoor Classroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Having this sculptural outdoor classroom project for a school as my first large public work was both challenging and rewarding. Following a site visit with the arts committee of the school I created a concept that would be distinctive of the schools ethos and beliefs, while also creating a visually stimulating space that would be a slice of earthiness and nature in an urban area largely dominated by concrete and steel.<br />
It took almost a year, and 100 tonnes of stone to complete, but I think the before and after shots below shows how successful the project has been.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new favorite before and after photo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6IJ_OPB_BSyoyhLJz4_K8fnjI8TA_ICRRwYerMK_3K8qnLpLNmcmoDY5DFTFtsIpe0zpEaJAjUXsxAPFjiBJd18qE07FAzs0X3mOWUcBmUp93ckTo4pujDf5vbyU0g_uSciHYD23OM4/s1600/102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6IJ_OPB_BSyoyhLJz4_K8fnjI8TA_ICRRwYerMK_3K8qnLpLNmcmoDY5DFTFtsIpe0zpEaJAjUXsxAPFjiBJd18qE07FAzs0X3mOWUcBmUp93ckTo4pujDf5vbyU0g_uSciHYD23OM4/s200/102.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom Pollard acting out a scene on our theatre stage.</td></tr>
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Working in the middle of a school yard, the site often felt like a theatre stage, with students and parents alike curious to see what was happening and eager to see how the structure developed. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to share some knowledge of the craft I am so passionate about. I would sometimes find myself performing for my audiences, overly dressing a piece of stone so that the ping of hammer and chisel rings out over the school yard to the delight of the spectators.<br />
There are almost 500 students in this school. So if you multiply 500 students by 1 million questions each, it equals some pretty amusing questions. I have been asked "Are you building a church?" "When will the castle be finished?" "Why are you hammering the bricks?" "Why are you doing that" "Why do you have a hole in your jacket", but the most common question and response I would get from students and parents alike went as follows:<br />
"What are you building??.......An outdoor classroom!............(long pause).........."Will it have a roof on it?"....No it is an <u>outdoor</u> classroom!.......(another long pause)......."oh"...<br />
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I was delighted to be able to create a space that visually demonstrates the schools ethos and sparks excitement and curiosity in the process. It is a wonderful feeling to leave the space behind knowing that it will continue to excite and intrigue minds young and old for generations to come, also knowing that the structure will only improve with age as the stonework weathers and the planting evolves.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixXFg5dBvJQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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click on the video to see the building process from start to finish. Get yourself a cup of tea 'cos it's seven minutes long, but then again it did take a long time to build.</div>
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<b>The Concept</b><br />
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The outdoor classroom consists of a walled garden type structure. The walls are comprised of dry faced stonework, inspired by the ancient traditional dry stone walls found throughout the country. The stone is <a href="http://www.lackenstone.ie/" target="_blank">Lacken sandstone</a> from Co. Mayo.<br />
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Taking inspiration from the four strands of the learning spiral from the school ethos, the centre of the structure is a large spiral incorporated into the floor and walls. The first strand of the spiral is already visible as you walk towards the classroom. It spirals first along the ground, then into the wall, before curling up to create the arched entrance into the classroom. Similarly, another of the strands runs into the wall, curling up to form the border of the family tree mosaic. Yet another strand finishes at the teachers stone chair, with the fourth strand of the spiral turning into the path of the exit from the classroom.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzg0HiM021oNpIshESpmcYHxE-OyHbd8cfi_5KFO-jYj3haK1mbFOUIO21nsuOHzGmgCKizv1dA4CUevLFo203FfLr5UPi7VAxbrjf6GX1qMUgo59DsTMCc7RHavPjgrjDNcbtFeOmrnM/s1600/DSC_0138_39_40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzg0HiM021oNpIshESpmcYHxE-OyHbd8cfi_5KFO-jYj3haK1mbFOUIO21nsuOHzGmgCKizv1dA4CUevLFo203FfLr5UPi7VAxbrjf6GX1qMUgo59DsTMCc7RHavPjgrjDNcbtFeOmrnM/s400/DSC_0138_39_40.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance into the outdoor classroom</td></tr>
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The concept is to have a structure that is visually inspiring from both the outside and the inside, a place for children to get excited about being in the great outdoors as well as learning about it.<br />
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The stone structure sits in between sculpted grass mounds that help create a wilderness setting. These mounds fill with colour in the early spring with a dense mixture of spring bulbs. This explosion of colour is continued on into the late autumn by the blend of native Irish wildflowers which will also encourage wildlife into the area. The planting inside the structure is composed of various colourful seasonal flowers the children can both plant and admire throughout the year.<br />
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Planted inside the stone structure, behind the stone teachers chair is a native<a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2010/05/blackthorn-shillelaghs-and-tree-of.html" target="_blank"> ‘Fairy Tree’</a>, or Hawthorn. The <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2010/05/blackthorn-shillelaghs-and-tree-of.html" target="_blank">Hawthorn</a>, with its beautiful spring blossoms, is a tree embedded deep in Irish myths and folklore and will make for many a great tale on a sunny day in the classroom.<br />
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One feature in the structure I was very much looking forward to building was the spiralling moongate. I had this feature in my head for some time and was waiting for the right opportunity to build one. Building this moongate involved a lot of head scratching and even more stone cutting. In order to build it in a way that it would be structurally sound and withstand the heavy traffic it is likely to endure, a lot of cleaver cutting had to be done. The most difficult and time consuming part was building the lower left (as seen below) section where the spiral coils back into itself. These skinny pieces are in some cases three time the thickness of what is visible, they have been chamfered back into the larger stone below to give them strength and weight. <br />
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Another complex feature that I was excited to build was the stone tree mosaic. I have already written about this feature in a separate blog post that can be read <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2013/02/the-family-tree-mosaic.html" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87qBlTtKWyjS-IC5s5h4fX0LEjf6nevH9YAFaQthnY10E-PqJDBIF2uurFaUrqSLNbRSGg324u8imOzUxGxzMm1tZZxu2Pt2cFsf7igLhE1mIVHwRlP-Eoqy-UNhyphenhyphenUX87rufg4JX0l7g/s1600/DSC_0169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87qBlTtKWyjS-IC5s5h4fX0LEjf6nevH9YAFaQthnY10E-PqJDBIF2uurFaUrqSLNbRSGg324u8imOzUxGxzMm1tZZxu2Pt2cFsf7igLhE1mIVHwRlP-Eoqy-UNhyphenhyphenUX87rufg4JX0l7g/s400/DSC_0169.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roots of the family tree mosaic</td></tr>
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<b>Student participation.</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdnqKGrpJBRKt7Ov20KvPeweBAIkf65QONR_cqkq2MiEWasXjB6Kb6H-lUzX65wJdOK16yCFeC_uYOR8apOXiyh48om6OU4ocBeAGc-joF8YE7_O-2S8gzsxNgplP1ledz6A5D60czwE/s1600/DSC_0187-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdnqKGrpJBRKt7Ov20KvPeweBAIkf65QONR_cqkq2MiEWasXjB6Kb6H-lUzX65wJdOK16yCFeC_uYOR8apOXiyh48om6OU4ocBeAGc-joF8YE7_O-2S8gzsxNgplP1ledz6A5D60czwE/s320/DSC_0187-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">students painting leaf tiles for the family tree mosaic</td></tr>
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The design brief called for the students to be involved in the project in some way so that they could put their own stamp on the project. The design allowed for a number of projects for the kids to get involved in. The natural stone <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2013/02/the-family-tree-mosaic.html" target="_blank">'Family Tree' mosaic</a> that is incorporated in the walls has leaf shaped tiles which the kids got to paint in class along with the border tiles that surround the mosaic. Read more about the family tree mosaic in the blog post I did about that <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2013/02/the-family-tree-mosaic.html" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpAYAY3qc2eAvlsvdHUnzdiE6dZt8RbhApzBqhGkOb84NtVU33_IVpPnZhlKA62rpqJWVJKicfNPfvlLe_oUs7lZRyMzSKiKa6NqkkSEsbowY2_ma3O4jJmX5mz5hSsNkZ2QI3P34P8s/s1600/DSC_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpAYAY3qc2eAvlsvdHUnzdiE6dZt8RbhApzBqhGkOb84NtVU33_IVpPnZhlKA62rpqJWVJKicfNPfvlLe_oUs7lZRyMzSKiKa6NqkkSEsbowY2_ma3O4jJmX5mz5hSsNkZ2QI3P34P8s/s400/DSC_0017.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The family tree mosaic</td></tr>
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The four large tables in the classroom have also been mosaiced. A competition was held in the school to design the table tops. The students were asked to design the table tops to represent the four strands of the schools ‘Learn Together’ Curriculum, these being Equality and Justice, Ethics and The Environment, Belief Systems, and Moral and Spiritual Development.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKJoRuSbf4s1WXnmzmF5wpX7Rdi_4eCVxOWlHeQzOqFL9ovabPJnKr3Nw2m_yAfnv6sWi3qnEhXvaCNKPVuDQgZ7B5CsKfLWtP4p0M8HqLGSN2hYIsoD47QsjzxXwlQIE0GNTox5UJcc/s1600/DPETNS+mosaic+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKJoRuSbf4s1WXnmzmF5wpX7Rdi_4eCVxOWlHeQzOqFL9ovabPJnKr3Nw2m_yAfnv6sWi3qnEhXvaCNKPVuDQgZ7B5CsKfLWtP4p0M8HqLGSN2hYIsoD47QsjzxXwlQIE0GNTox5UJcc/s400/DPETNS+mosaic+01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every student in the school (almost 500 in total) got the opportunity to be part of the mosaicing process </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCr7kdPd7E-pAGSc4fyx2UQnPK3oq_mYi6XaAK48sdwzirQS9-b40FFgTGWyn0Ntp-V6a1AKeFk67_Thb9Nvn2jK8EIIdxqztz26jeaZ8OwIS8YoOhvAzDUvzHTDGUSNHN5ScWXJ1zCxk/s1600/DSC_0128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCr7kdPd7E-pAGSc4fyx2UQnPK3oq_mYi6XaAK48sdwzirQS9-b40FFgTGWyn0Ntp-V6a1AKeFk67_Thb9Nvn2jK8EIIdxqztz26jeaZ8OwIS8YoOhvAzDUvzHTDGUSNHN5ScWXJ1zCxk/s400/DSC_0128.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed tables</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguFEQIXMiNB7LkORLcVx91O1eB33PihZLBXfGhXYtrYaXyVS1QcbQWiw7s8vGXI69vZrUXV278MD8k_pZdkz10vZGb5ta8yY5D7W-yplaJ3dCUwPArsT5qeXL_kf5pLkhjgiw3yApPoQ/s1600/DSC_0126-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguFEQIXMiNB7LkORLcVx91O1eB33PihZLBXfGhXYtrYaXyVS1QcbQWiw7s8vGXI69vZrUXV278MD8k_pZdkz10vZGb5ta8yY5D7W-yplaJ3dCUwPArsT5qeXL_kf5pLkhjgiw3yApPoQ/s400/DSC_0126-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Ethics and The Environment table</span></td></tr>
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Students were involved in planting some of the 3000 daffodil bulbs into the mounds that surround the outside of the classroom. They will be involved on an annual basis in planting of flowers in the raised planting bed inside the classroom walls. Two past students, now in transition year in the neighbouring secondary school also got the opportunity to work with the artist for a number of weeks gaining valuable experience in stonemasonry through the building of the stone walls of the structure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHZW-dWoHjcRpl-OfiS6_RAsbPaEsGM_v4vtDpsw7gJYI1nASz1GeCl_vpWUniPwCFSp7G2MU6FIiIRt9mwtjgNnn9cz8RUI_O1F7_kuchWA_kb891bPPqD9M_DrZhJUljVDolGhqooo/s1600/DSC_0094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHZW-dWoHjcRpl-OfiS6_RAsbPaEsGM_v4vtDpsw7gJYI1nASz1GeCl_vpWUniPwCFSp7G2MU6FIiIRt9mwtjgNnn9cz8RUI_O1F7_kuchWA_kb891bPPqD9M_DrZhJUljVDolGhqooo/s400/DSC_0094.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First of the spring bulbs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcq6LgAZjxaIqP29UOdvO3AWF_dURrZUHFCq8JAmAVvVO1QWF9EBCwctThDIhXP0y7Wih4yKVFm0ZIkIvR7JyigDzaym-ajf1n3BNfNo8alatc9PEHY9O4tVNPv9ksCv_q0JFWswjzWc/s1600/DSC_0149-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcq6LgAZjxaIqP29UOdvO3AWF_dURrZUHFCq8JAmAVvVO1QWF9EBCwctThDIhXP0y7Wih4yKVFm0ZIkIvR7JyigDzaym-ajf1n3BNfNo8alatc9PEHY9O4tVNPv9ksCv_q0JFWswjzWc/s400/DSC_0149-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer wildflowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The teachers chair (well most of the time)</td></tr>
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I will leave the final words to the school who wrote this lovely testimonial for me.</div>
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<b>Testimonial from the School</b></div>
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Awarded the project after successfully competing in a public tender process, Sunny Wieler from Stone Art was commissioned by the school to create an outdoor classroom. From the very start it was clear that Sunny had fully embraced the ethos of the school both in his presentation and his daily work.<br />
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Sunny has been working at the school for the last year, practical in his approach, he has been very flexible working around school yard time/ PE etc. He has worked in close contact with our caretakers/gardeners in order to maintain a strong link with any changes happening during the school day he needs to be aware of and has always been enthusiastic in answering the children's many questions. Starting on site early each morning he has built a rapport with the parents as they drop their children to school.<br />
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He has contributed positively to all our committee meetings, embracing changes and answering all our queries, helping us shape our thoughts as the project developed. Sunny has consistently been eager to include the children, staff and parents and indeed the wider community in the project. Each have been involved in creating many of the mosaic pieces and planting around the classroom.<br />
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Sunny is meticulous in his approach to his craft. Both in the original design consideration and in his daily approach to his work. He certainly never 'cuts corners', his attention to detail in many elements of the design have been remarkable. The almost soothing sound of him chipping away at one of our native stones will be truly missed when he completes the project.<br />
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It has been an honour to have Sunny create for us a lasting piece of art that, in a rapidly changing world, is both a beautiful testament to our history and a practical outdoor space we hope will be used and appreciated by many future generations.<br />
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Finally a quote from one of our caretakers, “Sunny has the patience of a saint, he quietly works away, it sometimes feels like he isn't here at all, that the classroom just grew out of the ground” I hope this indicates how much he has become part of our school community, how his craft is quietly appreciated everyday and how successful our 'Outdoor Classroom' project has been.<br />
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Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-82246380129359356892013-10-01T07:28:00.000+01:002013-10-01T07:31:47.879+01:00Feile na gCloch (Festival of Stone) 2013 Inis Oírr Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So two weekends ago I made my annual retreat to Inis Oirr, the smallest of the three islands that make up the Arran Islands in Galway bay. Although this was only my third year attending Feile na gCloch (Festival of Stone) it feels like I have been coming here for many years. Despite the fact that I was born and raised in west Cork, arriving on the island I get an relaxed feeling of familiarity and a sense of coming home. </div>
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This is the effect this island has on you. It is a world of its own. You won't find any road rage here, no 'zombies' walking into each other as they seem to be unable to lift their heads out of their smart phones, no news flashes of our pending doom. Here modern life dissolves and becomes insignificant. If you want to go somewhere here, you walk. If you pass someone on the road, you look into their eyes and say a friendly hello. And if you want to know the news you go to the pub for a chat. </div>
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My annual visit to Inis Oirr is of course not just to bask in the exuberance of island life. It is also to attend the Feile na gCloch (Festival of Stone). </div>
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The festival is organised and run by the country's most knowledgeable and experienced drystone waller, Patrick McAfee, in conjunction with the wonderful Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer of Galway County Council and Paddy Crowe, manager of the Inis Oirr Cooperative. </div>
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Under the instructio<span style="font-family: inherit;">n of <a href="http://homepage.eircom.net/~mcafee/" target="_blank">Pat McAfee</a> and Scottish master craftsman <a href="http://www.spanglefish.com/GeorgeGunnWalling/index.asp?pageid=366186" target="_blank">George Gunn</a>, this years participants constructed a 130 feet section of wall in just two days. The style of </span>wall built was a Feidín wall, a wall unique to Ireland and this part of the country in particular. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mix of both armature and professional stonemasons working on the wall. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott Hackney co-director of Stonefest in Seattle also returning for another Feile na gCloch </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George Gunn and Donegal DSWAI member Rónán Crehan smile for the camera (well Rónán dose at least)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Capping off the double wall with a large single course</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In just two days the 130 foot long Feidín wall is complete </td></tr>
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This year's Feile na gCloch was bigger than ever, with the addition for the first time ever of a stone sculpting and letter carving workshop run by two master carvers from America <a href="http://www.moroscofinearts.com/index.html" target="_blank">Alexandra Morosco </a>and <a href="http://www.karinsprague.com/" target="_blank">Karin Sprague</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexandra giving Rory a few pointers on a block of native island stone. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist and regular Feile na gCloch goer, Louise Price swaps the paint brushes for hammers and chisels for the weekend</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3X1RCNY1sRG_0-fEaX6eZ6ZOPLI9Wp08Y7QeS994LeLfsZ8fZngH6KJey_JRLg3XCP8HEd0vgNM4d-gR-e4VEdz319Uj9d2at_zLECxu_t_BHoY9eMUpJ4hb7ejUa3eCxg3LFbPSG3wo/s1600/DSC_0097-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3X1RCNY1sRG_0-fEaX6eZ6ZOPLI9Wp08Y7QeS994LeLfsZ8fZngH6KJey_JRLg3XCP8HEd0vgNM4d-gR-e4VEdz319Uj9d2at_zLECxu_t_BHoY9eMUpJ4hb7ejUa3eCxg3LFbPSG3wo/s400/DSC_0097-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Karin and Aexandrea also got to leave their own mark on the island by creating this stunning memorial for the islanders to commemorate all those who lost their lives at sea.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Karin Sprague</td></tr>
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Literally working on top of each other, they managed to transform this local coastal boulder into a moving tribute in just three weeks.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The stone depicts a traditional Irish boat a '</span><a href="http://currach/" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank">Currach'</a><span style="font-size: small;"> being engulfed by waves.</span></td></tr>
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The stone now sits just meters from where it lay, on the north west side of the island.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaIwoNbo6iOe1lThbfZR9n4HJq9aJyVrhyEh3ZELqMu8yj_cJMKpcF0rhFoPs-2OcL0JaFxOdjD451w7K4Ju9CNs3wIKf5ikfNSuCm3riVPAvXZBByndz58lshKoJ6uWzkj6ufA0Targ/s1600/1377194_211341315701172_935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaIwoNbo6iOe1lThbfZR9n4HJq9aJyVrhyEh3ZELqMu8yj_cJMKpcF0rhFoPs-2OcL0JaFxOdjD451w7K4Ju9CNs3wIKf5ikfNSuCm3riVPAvXZBByndz58lshKoJ6uWzkj6ufA0Targ/s400/1377194_211341315701172_935.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Maireann a gcuimhne fos i m' aigne" "We will always remember them in our mind." Photo courtesy of Karin Sprague</td></tr>
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The wall built during the festival was already completed on the Saturday, which gave people the opportunity to go on a guided walk with Pat McAfee to explore some of the wonderful wall styles on the Island. In fact it is believed that almost every style of wall can be found here including countless unclassified ones. </div>
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I tend to spend a lot of time walking around the island when I'm here. This year I was taking particular attention to some of the amazing textures and patterns in the walls.</div>
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Maybe it was the Guinness from the night before, but stare at some of these walls long enough and they almost seem to move and become fluid. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Textures in stone</td></tr>
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And thus, Feile na gCloch 2013 comes to an end , and with a heavy heart and a heavy back pack (as a result of the new Throw and Holden 'Stone buster' hammer I acquired over the weekend) I leave the island with one final panoramic view form our little seven seater plane back to the mainland. </div>
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Touching down at Connemara Airport after our six minute flight, reality sets back in, and I get back into my motorised vehicle and propel myself back to the city. </div>
Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-72364987756026496602013-07-14T16:40:00.001+01:002013-07-15T19:45:02.742+01:00The Gathering of Stones in the heart of Ireland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcFkvz5lhqKShossK5AoigcGAK8ELUEW38t57ZzwA6-_gTKLoYJBD-kZSLAL6-IuFFOVSnN-pZc6jTjLjSaiPqTPo2GLQyCDO9vkY0lxsn74CbzXB_2cAtDONOl2RQC9TA7FR6AdOQlI/s1500/DSC_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcFkvz5lhqKShossK5AoigcGAK8ELUEW38t57ZzwA6-_gTKLoYJBD-kZSLAL6-IuFFOVSnN-pZc6jTjLjSaiPqTPo2GLQyCDO9vkY0lxsn74CbzXB_2cAtDONOl2RQC9TA7FR6AdOQlI/s1500/DSC_0102.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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After months of anticipation, stones, masons and dry-stone enthusiasts from the four corners of Ireland as well as the rest of the world came to a head in the center of Ireland. </div>
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June 20th 2013 marked the beginning of The Gathering of Stones.</div>
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Stories were shared, songs were sung (and written) and monuments were built.</div>
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Just like the cross marked the spot in the posters, the 'Emigrant Stones' mark the centre of our dry stone monument.</div>
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<b>From the beginning.</b></div>
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Last summer after <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2012/10/feile-na-gcloch-festival-of-stone-2012.html" target="_blank">Feile na gCloch</a> on Inis Oírr, Tomas Lipps, director of <a href="http://www.stonefoundation.org/index.html" target="_blank">The Stone Foundation</a> stayed with me while doing fieldwork for his publication <a href="http://www.stonefoundation.org/stonexus/index1.html" target="_blank">Stonexus magazine</a>. Over a few pints of the black stuff one night we discussed the possibility of the DSWAI and The Stone Foundation collaborating on a event in Ireland. At almost exactly the same time Nick Aitken of the DSWA in Scotland contacted the us suggesting that this being the year of <a href="http://www.thegatheringireland.com/" target="_blank">The Gathering Ireland</a>, we should build a monument in the center of Ireland to commemorate this in a way that also celebrates the craft we all love so much.</div>
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It was these early conversations that sowed the seeds for what would become 'The Gathering of Stones 2013'</div>
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<b>The concept for our monument.</b></div>
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Our primary idea was to create a gathering point for people to congregate, a circle seemed the most appropriate shape to begin with. </div>
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The bi-vallate (twin walled) enclosure also reflects Ireland's built heritage. The ringfort is the most common archaeological site to be seen in the Irish landscape. The status of a ring fort is not only evident by its diameter but more significantly through the number of rings it contains. Therefore, a bi-vallate enclosure would often be the seat of the local lord or the central focal place for a network of ring forts which formed a community.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYDPyV4w_HrNgVqU0aNB2dJC23saS1rNVJoaMrs1iD1yir6237hHOsObVB727xzTo05Fq2PuxaSsnbnfL7mJ0qukFWiUBgFVrQxfP9SB4R8pKU_AEBdnL5vj4-oMnJB4-cfNnTyo4ZZY/s1600/Plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYDPyV4w_HrNgVqU0aNB2dJC23saS1rNVJoaMrs1iD1yir6237hHOsObVB727xzTo05Fq2PuxaSsnbnfL7mJ0qukFWiUBgFVrQxfP9SB4R8pKU_AEBdnL5vj4-oMnJB4-cfNnTyo4ZZY/s200/Plan.jpg" width="200" /></a>The outer wall symbolises the 4 provinces. Thus the Island of Ireland and all its people, with its many varying ways and vernacular styles, forms a comforting embrace around the 5th province. That fifth province once had a physical existence here in the Iron Age and was known as Breifne. However, the King of Breifne (Michael McMurtaigh) was driven from Ireland after attempting to unite the country under a single monarch. In addition, in this structure the fifth province also represents the individual, creativity, imagination and the Diaspora.</div>
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The structure represents the country of Ireland and a welcome home to the people who left and never returned. The outer walls embrace the creative mind, the millions of souls and talents who left our shores and spread their skills far and wide. </div>
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It becomes entirely appropriate that the 'Emigrant Stones should be laid in cruciform shape at the centre of the sculpture embracing people from all corners of the world </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpGA1Smn2LOktoHXDqRRpilf6h4NBXxecaFqxE0UnuRLH4TETTVGNOmSJyi7TEXuTQ3czy3TrDWxrMc7KUEp3doZO-gU7KEnPSYYN74LGkKpXR3X7CV_70XH6F5a7JFIXdUTgMG1aino/s1600/inner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpGA1Smn2LOktoHXDqRRpilf6h4NBXxecaFqxE0UnuRLH4TETTVGNOmSJyi7TEXuTQ3czy3TrDWxrMc7KUEp3doZO-gU7KEnPSYYN74LGkKpXR3X7CV_70XH6F5a7JFIXdUTgMG1aino/s400/inner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>A crest for each province.</b></div>
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The monument includes the crest of the four provinces (60x 60cm). Four DSWAI members who are also stone carvers donated these carvings to the monument. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex Panteleyenko working on the Ulster crest, with a bit of help from Christian Helling</td></tr>
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Victor Daly's carving of the three crowns of Munster was carved in Valletta Slate. Alex's red hand of Ulster was carved in Donegal Sandstone. Julia's Harp of Leinster is carved in Tipperary blue limestone and the Connacht Crest of arms was carved by Christian in Liscannor sandstone. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-sBJMjvkYxp6Om2UfPH24J8C_tYcttl44a5r73vTMLO25JoQnMUC1JBiN9wIJKf7Hbs15y50TsqmGlhnkYeVC1Z4Lhugo7UZQRLsYgQD63jRaD7_zbndyUz-DiaGVu5b0M7D6GSqIu4/s1600/crests.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-sBJMjvkYxp6Om2UfPH24J8C_tYcttl44a5r73vTMLO25JoQnMUC1JBiN9wIJKf7Hbs15y50TsqmGlhnkYeVC1Z4Lhugo7UZQRLsYgQD63jRaD7_zbndyUz-DiaGVu5b0M7D6GSqIu4/s400/crests.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The four finished crests. (from left, <a href="http://thestonecarver.com/" target="_blank">Victor Daly</a> (Munster), <a href="https://www.facebook.com/traditionalstonecrafts" target="_blank">Alex Panteleyenko</a> (Ulster), <a href="http://dswaireland.ning.com/profile/JuliaGebel?xg_source=profiles_memberList" target="_blank">Julia Gebel</a> (Leinster), <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christian-Helling-Sculptor-Stonemason/464699896903110" target="_blank">Christian Helling</a> (Connacht) </td></tr>
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<b>To build a dry stone monument, you need a hell of a lot of stone!</b></div>
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The completed structure will consume an estimated 300 tonnes of stone. As you can imagine, the logistics of getting 300 tonnes of stone from the four corners of Ireland and beyond to our central location is no mean feat. Trying to do this without any funding seemed like an impossible task. After the crushing news that the review board for 'The Gathering' in County Offaly refused to pass our application to be funded as a 'Flagship event', the outlook for our event looked very bleak. However the DSWAI decided to take a leap of faith and call on the people of Ireland to help us make this event happen.</div>
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A call for stone was made, and the proud farmers and quarrymen of Ireland answered.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTm6aStfRaISz_ium0sf8a5Ox10yeLrB0QA5X0RhUh5E4Tu-hJ_gPIrVUfk6FSfUcAmGoG8nz8Y_b3DGC5bghkudgOk6wRDDUDsrw0kzHPbb7yVHbQmPb7jyv7Um8c6iIpshzLNRZ_w-0/s1600/phonemayjune2013089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTm6aStfRaISz_ium0sf8a5Ox10yeLrB0QA5X0RhUh5E4Tu-hJ_gPIrVUfk6FSfUcAmGoG8nz8Y_b3DGC5bghkudgOk6wRDDUDsrw0kzHPbb7yVHbQmPb7jyv7Um8c6iIpshzLNRZ_w-0/s400/phonemayjune2013089.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thomas Egan, Rodger Degan, Mick Connelly and Padraig Larkin (missing from photo Don O’Boyle) collecting local Boora limestone donated to the project by Joe Molloy. Photo Ken Curran. More about this stone <a href="http://dswaireland.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-gathering-of-stones-accepts-donation-of-local-boora-stone" target="_blank">here</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3ybpPyQAILKX_cATVfEuyev3kwTak26UQFNu1MQKajEJyh2XO_SBwgGrVvYPoivN-mFZrAIl3jl48CYjt4XzM3jMVuc5chp_rq6kjkJlqtoS90epwLBHmwVuAMa7sRwx6bAI2P6lXvU/s1600/p1110585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3ybpPyQAILKX_cATVfEuyev3kwTak26UQFNu1MQKajEJyh2XO_SBwgGrVvYPoivN-mFZrAIl3jl48CYjt4XzM3jMVuc5chp_rq6kjkJlqtoS90epwLBHmwVuAMa7sRwx6bAI2P6lXvU/s400/p1110585.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quarryman Brian Kerrigan & haulier Padraig Meehan loading Brian’s donation of a truckload of Drumkeelan stone from Donegal. Photo Louise Price. More about this in Louise's blog post <a href="http://limewindow.wordpress.com/2013/06/20/drumkeelan-sandstone/" target="_blank">here </a></td></tr>
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<b>Stones from the four corners of the world.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EZsAESEJEw35bgtaObS3roPsbB2H0jnwtyppB7QgJpH7WDcJ7lsStr1zq_txwPM5gEkpzO3uduHeTIxLW_-RwvkV-FOKO3wGCS1SNSNSb8ID8coWZqY5VFEOY8rIWoeycwXJoUXeKfI/s1600/27120_611868985507855_220611142_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EZsAESEJEw35bgtaObS3roPsbB2H0jnwtyppB7QgJpH7WDcJ7lsStr1zq_txwPM5gEkpzO3uduHeTIxLW_-RwvkV-FOKO3wGCS1SNSNSb8ID8coWZqY5VFEOY8rIWoeycwXJoUXeKfI/s400/27120_611868985507855_220611142_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As part of the event, attendees and the public were invited to bring a stone home to Lough Boora, to become part of the monument. It was wonderful to see how the public took to the project, bringing stones and stories with them. Many people have connections with stones and many of us have taken a stone with us from a place we have made a connection with, be it a pebble from a beach or a stone from a mountaintop. It is these connections with stones that made the whole event emotionally charged and it is only as these stones and stories began to collect on site that the importance of this monument really started to sink in with those building it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Yil647z-3CoXXsC1JeEc86dcUP0L-_onVMyVY_08JwJ669eizlj_V1SWtxg58u5OnqJpHFnO25ZwyMIbrwFUk7w8NOKSy4Q7EPHPK0DDTGBtALkRpALv_6jScRD87eMS4O1dmkZu-cI/s1600/Katherine+with+her+stone+from+Coolanarney,+Blueball,+Co.Offaly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Yil647z-3CoXXsC1JeEc86dcUP0L-_onVMyVY_08JwJ669eizlj_V1SWtxg58u5OnqJpHFnO25ZwyMIbrwFUk7w8NOKSy4Q7EPHPK0DDTGBtALkRpALv_6jScRD87eMS4O1dmkZu-cI/s400/Katherine+with+her+stone+from+Coolanarney,+Blueball,+Co.Offaly.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katherine with her stone from Coolanarney, Blueball, Co.Offaly. "Katherine – who brings a stone from her old home place, now a tumbled memory. As a child she ploughed and thatched alongside her father, and carried stones to pile atop of walls of ancient fields. It means everything – her stone" Photo and quote from Louise Price's blog <a href="http://limewindow.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/the-gathering-of-stones-2013/" target="_blank">Limewindow</a></td></tr>
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<b> Stones from New York and Wales</b><br />
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There are also a number of historically significant stones have made long journeys over land and sea to be incorporated into the monument. The most poignant of all is the four 'Emigrant stones' from Battery Park in New York. For millions of emigrants, their first steps in the New World would have been onto these stones after registering at Ellis Island, including nearly everyone from Ireland during the famine years and after. These stones seemed to really capture the public's imagination, with a constant stream of visitors throughout the four days having their photos taken standing on them.<br />
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These stones had a long journey, starting back in the early 1800's when they were quarried in various parts of New England to become part of the emigrant docks at Battery park that date back to the 1700's.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9ePJMjgedVnrIAdiTIWZDNkpWqaq6HyYcZ7wKxDcnXP1WNSys35g6BxMd1AlGR0zdJTtryGd8VvlYsuYdaqqE5-acvgJU7rhJWRulxJDn5OqbLK64bWfn7UFknIRkRdUGBdqtucyKGs/s1600/hudson1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9ePJMjgedVnrIAdiTIWZDNkpWqaq6HyYcZ7wKxDcnXP1WNSys35g6BxMd1AlGR0zdJTtryGd8VvlYsuYdaqqE5-acvgJU7rhJWRulxJDn5OqbLK64bWfn7UFknIRkRdUGBdqtucyKGs/s400/hudson1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Removal of the 'Emigrant stones' from Battery park in 2002</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeHVTdi3HSP9A3_j_LLqi77d6QE7tcbSPMi8FRHncruLdO7ZA2t22wQSpj0pm4dBADPUT3v7Fa-9LH4ktDsIr_ivQ2GH7ckq81T1b9a-0S3k9LxXPkw4Go1W3xCnUvERouU5gAv5NLCM/s1600/DSC_0066-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeHVTdi3HSP9A3_j_LLqi77d6QE7tcbSPMi8FRHncruLdO7ZA2t22wQSpj0pm4dBADPUT3v7Fa-9LH4ktDsIr_ivQ2GH7ckq81T1b9a-0S3k9LxXPkw4Go1W3xCnUvERouU5gAv5NLCM/s400/DSC_0066-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The arrival of the 'Emigrant Stones' from New York at <a href="http://www.irish-shipping.com/" target="_blank">Irish Shipping and Transport</a>'s depot in Dublin.<br />
Read more about the arrival of the 'Emigrant Stones' <a href="http://dswaireland.ning.com/profiles/blogs/arrival-of-the-emigrant-stones-in-ireland" target="_blank">here</a> </td></tr>
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Here they lay on the rivers edge until their removal by <a href="http://www.rjwgem.com/en/home/" target="_blank">RJW Campbell</a> during the reconstruction of Battery Park in 2001. When the president of <a href="http://www.rjwgem.com/en/home/" target="_blank">RJW Campbell</a>, Bobby Watt heard about the event, he immediately offered these stones to the project. Bobby, a Scottish stonemason and Stone Foundation Member based in Canada is also a fine songwriter and singer. In the video below he tells the story of the stones and also signs the poignant "Whispering Stones" a song he composed after being inspired by the event. This song brought a tear to many an eye when first played at "Stories and Stones" and again when reprised by Rónán Crehan at the conclusion of the 4 day event.<br />
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<b>Stones from the DSWA UK Wales branch</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0qZwnXlECj7ipzaxQcgOUmOrpFT5atbJfgSac_ZSEj_B-DNU5BIQFsEzDIjtAIo8x1aZkFlWcIOGkXfccEePgSZNB2zWJv7fd9WlolQmugCU4zfpSCNDQsRDHif5v-SSnnzuouX4lPU/s1600/DSC_0087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0qZwnXlECj7ipzaxQcgOUmOrpFT5atbJfgSac_ZSEj_B-DNU5BIQFsEzDIjtAIo8x1aZkFlWcIOGkXfccEePgSZNB2zWJv7fd9WlolQmugCU4zfpSCNDQsRDHif5v-SSnnzuouX4lPU/s200/DSC_0087.jpg" width="184" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sean Adcock setting the Welsh <br />
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We were also lucky enough to have Sean Adcock join us for the event. Sean is a DSWAUK master Dry Stone Waller and Secretary of the North Wales Branch of the DSWA. He has prolifically produced books and papers on the craft of dry stone waling and standards in the profession over the years. Sean is the editor of Stonechat magazine amongst many other contributions to the world of dry stone building. He also oversaw the building of the central feature over the course of the event. In the months leading up to the event Sean helped behind the scenes with working out the structural details of the inner structure.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.dswa.org.uk/" target="_blank">DSWA</a> also wanted to donate a stone to the project, Sean was also involved in the organisation and transportation of two stones from Wales to Lough Boora.<br />
Originally Sean was working on getting a boulder from the birthplace of Saint Patrick in Banwen (near Neath, South Wales) but when the logistics of this became impossible, he managed to find two other historic Welsh stones with an Irish connection to bring with him. These were a sleeper stone from the Ffestiniog Railway and a stone from the old Breakwater Quarry.<br />
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<b>The Ffestiniog Railway stone</b> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaM4NLr1N28GyPYJ8-LsUL-Sts4f3UOMEp69ECH3J38_inF3EbSP42mDyD0TWyeil7ashROQPzMNqdWJOSQfLSWOi0hXfBy7jkZajRcbREDMlRsxccQPux0ZhLCmbaSobUvcjKAds06k/s1600/FfestiniogStone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaM4NLr1N28GyPYJ8-LsUL-Sts4f3UOMEp69ECH3J38_inF3EbSP42mDyD0TWyeil7ashROQPzMNqdWJOSQfLSWOi0hXfBy7jkZajRcbREDMlRsxccQPux0ZhLCmbaSobUvcjKAds06k/s400/FfestiniogStone.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fred Howes, Chairman of Ffestiniog Railway Heritage Group at the Railway's Minffordd Yard alongside the granite sleeper stone donated to the event. Photo Sean Adcock</td></tr>
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The Ffestiniog Railway started life as a gravity/horse drawn tramway built in the 1830s, to provide a transport route from the Slate quarries of Blaenau Ffestiniog to the port at Porthmadog, a distance of over 13 miles.The creation of the tramway was made possible largely through Irish investment. The original tramway rails were secured to stone blocks, with around 4000 to a mile. When the tramway became a narrow gauge steam railway in the 1860s - the world's first narrow gauge railway built to haul over a longer distance than just short shunting. At this point much of the track-bed was widened and the a new rail/sleeper system introduced. Many of the stone blocks were incorporated into the new trackside walls. One of the original granite blocks has been donated to the Gathering of Stones by The Ffestiniog Railway. Read more about these stone in Sean Adcocks article <a href="http://www.dswales.org.uk/GatheringStones.html" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiSUt05TR8HFbTlJ7mPjLsrBTz9SoAalVAoPSwEE8H8HiYa3wOjHgKgF3vKYHwfdavIxhZE9kIt2T5HYJwHJ5LWgDRjnoxNpxtmvFd2jRx7sWlwsMTOLYYkjptTkJdAf8FMoz9uW45-4/s1600/DSC_0135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiSUt05TR8HFbTlJ7mPjLsrBTz9SoAalVAoPSwEE8H8HiYa3wOjHgKgF3vKYHwfdavIxhZE9kIt2T5HYJwHJ5LWgDRjnoxNpxtmvFd2jRx7sWlwsMTOLYYkjptTkJdAf8FMoz9uW45-4/s400/DSC_0135.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ffestiniog sleeper stone built into the inner structure of the monument.</td></tr>
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<b> The Breakwater Quarry Stone</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvZriF2ap-KNNeQpzq038MbFlwQ5dAxm8SKqBdrN77g5G8Zg4bzJBtvR-fLWvyigqlW99dwwJMKbNDQPnSPwqzX0JnQqFBVJuJ-iuBEtCzNzt3PxSyH3tOvXEnaja4q1n7lTAj7kMPOQ/s1600/HolyheadBreakwaterFromHolyh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvZriF2ap-KNNeQpzq038MbFlwQ5dAxm8SKqBdrN77g5G8Zg4bzJBtvR-fLWvyigqlW99dwwJMKbNDQPnSPwqzX0JnQqFBVJuJ-iuBEtCzNzt3PxSyH3tOvXEnaja4q1n7lTAj7kMPOQ/s400/HolyheadBreakwaterFromHolyh.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the breakwater from Holyhead Mountain and extracting the stone to bring to Lough Boora. Photos courtesy of Sean Adcock</td></tr>
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Holyhead is the main port in North Wales and provides a direct link with Dublin via the Stena Line and Irish Ferries. At 1.7 miles in length, Holyhead breakwater is the longest in the UK. Started in 1845, it took 28 years to complete and consumed over 7 million tonnes of stone quarried from nearby Holyhead Mountain. These quarries now form part of Breakwater Country Park.<br />
The last blasted rockfall remains alongside one quarry face and a stone from alongside this has been donated to the gathering of Stones by Breakwater Country Park/Isle of Anglesey County Council with the permission of RSPB and NRW. Read more about these stone in Sean Adcocks article <a href="http://www.dswales.org.uk/GatheringStones.html" target="_blank">here</a> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDp9JMX0REIHW4iSCGEXKwSytH_31o2ZgD9a1uOk3U6fsYERNn3ezZpnoWVT-Mc_XzOBRqSAEhPFimm7lBE8R6ieBT5aGA028WmcZxZHw6y9bXrCRDEqUx0UqPR0EyXKfwkqdWXCTEZs/s1600/p1110892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDp9JMX0REIHW4iSCGEXKwSytH_31o2ZgD9a1uOk3U6fsYERNn3ezZpnoWVT-Mc_XzOBRqSAEhPFimm7lBE8R6ieBT5aGA028WmcZxZHw6y9bXrCRDEqUx0UqPR0EyXKfwkqdWXCTEZs/s400/p1110892.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The founding members of the <a href="http://www.dswai.com/" target="_blank">DSWAI</a> Fran Coady, Ken Curran and Waldemar Wower move the Welsh Breakwater stone into place in the center of the Munster wall during the Gathering of Stones. Photo Louise Price</td></tr>
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<b>Building the Gathering of Stones</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfho7QQ-YMLwPj3feKdrezPax-lzsY9BBNo66ad3QIwjFrZ6Ewi2N8jnvJPnxHYqEDgWG1EEKOMTECUSGKa83WJF3j06tt5Y9X9MuwM8KDSDLxn8Wa5ll-ITIFgPyCsKac2C_0r86V-8/s1600/2013061610.34.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfho7QQ-YMLwPj3feKdrezPax-lzsY9BBNo66ad3QIwjFrZ6Ewi2N8jnvJPnxHYqEDgWG1EEKOMTECUSGKa83WJF3j06tt5Y9X9MuwM8KDSDLxn8Wa5ll-ITIFgPyCsKac2C_0r86V-8/s400/2013061610.34.36.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinpointing the center of the monument. Canadian Stone Foundation member Tom Parkin with three of the GoS organisers, Nick Aitken, Sunny Wieler and Ken Curran. Photo Fran Coady. </td></tr>
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Not only was there a great mix of sunshine and showers over the weekend, there was also a great mix of professional stonemasons/drystone wallers and amateur stone enthusiasts. The public too became very captivated by the event with a constant stream of spectators arriving over the weekend, many bringing a stone with them to be incorporated into the monument. This vibrant atmosphere around the site quickly warded off any threatening rain clouds, and kept the morale on site high.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xZDs2jPgDhdN0UaTJAA5RH9BM2ZjgkUxEHNQD1h9D_4nIPZkqBNXO5X4d0qqdqv5CiP-ZBEr2-HmPl8O9gFGC2RNQJ870qGJpMVjaUo2l13VqqW6_SvsLP_DK732N8M0JbuyacyT_b4/s1600/DSC_0085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xZDs2jPgDhdN0UaTJAA5RH9BM2ZjgkUxEHNQD1h9D_4nIPZkqBNXO5X4d0qqdqv5CiP-ZBEr2-HmPl8O9gFGC2RNQJ870qGJpMVjaUo2l13VqqW6_SvsLP_DK732N8M0JbuyacyT_b4/s400/DSC_0085.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Project manager Ken Curran points with resolution as project managers do so well.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0amMc9LPqzSWqe146lZXKokgI7VgWoa-6GZ_RoZBY5wXdUAe7bIBpEy0ON1g9EL4EZyN6HV4xgTiEAVgFRo59eEZdRNGWcPIUuL783gwJKvrOYpZ__kf4iibt4fRaZt2TanwsGu64fCY/s1600/DSC_0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0amMc9LPqzSWqe146lZXKokgI7VgWoa-6GZ_RoZBY5wXdUAe7bIBpEy0ON1g9EL4EZyN6HV4xgTiEAVgFRo59eEZdRNGWcPIUuL783gwJKvrOYpZ__kf4iibt4fRaZt2TanwsGu64fCY/s400/DSC_0092.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Work begins on the Ulster wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NsOipt1WFNug9Cpx-jStoApp-fCHL97WOQyCFFc_qIe_W0BEDPNrdm3lN9B8EhwWqDOkLumBGdmrY3sLFtaqsqQi2Op0CbIwIriCIIwwLq3iA_RpUVzbobmz-eCBV-6Lj029ne7hRIU/s1600/DSC_0130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NsOipt1WFNug9Cpx-jStoApp-fCHL97WOQyCFFc_qIe_W0BEDPNrdm3lN9B8EhwWqDOkLumBGdmrY3sLFtaqsqQi2Op0CbIwIriCIIwwLq3iA_RpUVzbobmz-eCBV-6Lj029ne7hRIU/s400/DSC_0130.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donegal DSWAI member Rónán Crehan leading works on the Ulster wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbfzIhy1yr5wV7kPCmAxHN-DIwfocfkqyHy3xZ9JW4UdRobPMZ6n1d15rX9bP9TWNZ9q7TDykp92na06bZ-6mR_jCNizKtsbvVMoMGWigzLgm1Msqqm65UWy_xMfmUdjxWnW59ycRTjI/s1600/DSC_0096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbfzIhy1yr5wV7kPCmAxHN-DIwfocfkqyHy3xZ9JW4UdRobPMZ6n1d15rX9bP9TWNZ9q7TDykp92na06bZ-6mR_jCNizKtsbvVMoMGWigzLgm1Msqqm65UWy_xMfmUdjxWnW59ycRTjI/s400/DSC_0096.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scottish master craftsman Nick Aitken chats with <br />
Helmut Schieder from Austria, <br />
Tom Parkin of Canada and Irish man Damian Williams</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio75bmLhhMpX4MiIZQ-tQhz2l_5M0IpYeCDHPfVTZS3L3TJV7OO-nPabunmQgerChIbnBsX0P1Hh5iuFQzgSmDodUDe_FN_Q8Dh5N2-xKRhr-ArS6rxw3jcMdC2XFcfpufb-A5sy_Tzzg/s1600/DSC_0194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio75bmLhhMpX4MiIZQ-tQhz2l_5M0IpYeCDHPfVTZS3L3TJV7OO-nPabunmQgerChIbnBsX0P1Hh5iuFQzgSmDodUDe_FN_Q8Dh5N2-xKRhr-ArS6rxw3jcMdC2XFcfpufb-A5sy_Tzzg/s400/DSC_0194.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking through one of the entrances. Ulster wall on the left, Connaught on the right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0UDM8acupC-fJ2kJ9MJ7GQ5ywmnml78-qQsK_lJ2bvelylwYhskCRWPGxd8B32fOGRPTP9QTuBqdEJuzAAv8oz2z9_LClylM9ZF-YIaCDMpekUgeHKtrBlH6HxcD68puTdd_Ji_vC4c/s1600/DSC_0096-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0UDM8acupC-fJ2kJ9MJ7GQ5ywmnml78-qQsK_lJ2bvelylwYhskCRWPGxd8B32fOGRPTP9QTuBqdEJuzAAv8oz2z9_LClylM9ZF-YIaCDMpekUgeHKtrBlH6HxcD68puTdd_Ji_vC4c/s400/DSC_0096-2.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Lyons of <a href="http://www.irish-shipping.com/" target="_blank">Irish Shipping and Transport</a> standing on one of the 'Emigrant Stones' he helped get across the Atlantic Ocean from New York to Lough Boora. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbA8G5nu1oxgQYXe2MMT64BR0n0KQ0OzVRHGxL8GIWpsyaWu5BgoKSqBURPcAEOkiQWS0eoUfFID8ku6b7bJ5RKT3K0HdKFUYwDvsy4qPTtYNtrUqGsMHKJ91U4lgrRbx3reCD5GZIVuc/s1600/DSC_0091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbA8G5nu1oxgQYXe2MMT64BR0n0KQ0OzVRHGxL8GIWpsyaWu5BgoKSqBURPcAEOkiQWS0eoUfFID8ku6b7bJ5RKT3K0HdKFUYwDvsy4qPTtYNtrUqGsMHKJ91U4lgrRbx3reCD5GZIVuc/s400/DSC_0091.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Work progressing well on the boulder wall of Leinster in the foreground</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIUoEd-awpduGriNqJflZTIyrGjvMJV6zd4JR6dXxTvT63jwTTCKewKQsXwHdMHatXGuGikeviMOFtWfFRfNjh5ShAyQ7t2vYsuIWzGd3e_OlKoAGjSge-Wwt27devHZAiGo4ou5v7oE/s1600/DSC_0159-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIUoEd-awpduGriNqJflZTIyrGjvMJV6zd4JR6dXxTvT63jwTTCKewKQsXwHdMHatXGuGikeviMOFtWfFRfNjh5ShAyQ7t2vYsuIWzGd3e_OlKoAGjSge-Wwt27devHZAiGo4ou5v7oE/s400/DSC_0159-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great weekends work. Will post more when we return to finish the structure in the coming weeks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wonderful weekend. Thanks to all those who came and gathered stones with us for the weekend. </td></tr>
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<b>A BIG Thank you from the DSWAI</b></div>
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'The Gathering of Stones' as the first major event of DSWAI was a real success with much being achieved.</div>
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One thing which was important to the committee was that the participants enjoyed the experience and went away with a sense of having achieved something. We feel that this goal was achieved and feedback from all the folk who took part has so far been very positive, with quite a few itching to get back to help put the finishing touches to the sculpture.</div>
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The Gathering of Stones is a concept far bigger than the collecting of rocks to build a sculpture. It is as much about people as it is about anything else.</div>
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Perhaps, even more so?</div>
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This was quite evident during the course of the 4 days during which the event took place with the arrival of many people from around the country to place a stone at the site or within the walls.</div>
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The imagination of people has been captured by the project.</div>
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I believe one of the reasons for this is because 'real' people have been involved in the development of the project from day one.</div>
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Thanks to all those who contributed by investing their ideas, time, stone, resources, money and belief in the project. We give you all our assurance that we will bring the project to completion soon.</div>
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With the appeal out of the way there are many many people the association wishes to thank from deep in our hearts.</div>
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Those people are:</div>
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<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">The builders;</li>
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Padraig Larkin, Christian Helling, Ronan Crehan, Louise Price, Oisin Price, Eddie Farrelly, Nick Aitken, Sean Adcock, Sunny Wieler, Ken Curran, Joanna Williams, Lucy Warmington, Barry & Jacob Noyce, Frank Gleeson, Eamonn Carthy, Thomas Donnelly, Cait Fealty, Caitriona Fealty, Tom Parkin, Michele Carini, Richard Schrade, Victor Daly, Waldemar Wower, Fran Coady, Damian Williams, Karl Kennedy, Sandro Cafolla, Dariusz Jurkiewicz, Seamus May, Mark O’Loughlin, Malachy Sheehan, Helmut Schneider, Alex Panteleyenko, Charlie McFadden, Scott Hyslop, Shaun McFadden, Anne Holland, Simon Hickey, Lynne Hoare, Herbert O’Toole, Liam Friel and Liam Walsh</div>
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<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">The organising committee of;</li>
</ul>
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Nick Aitken, Tomas Lipps, Sunny Wieler, Eddie Farrelly, Ronan Crehan, Alex Panteleyenko, Ken Curran and Francis Coady</div>
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<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">For contributing the Emigrant Stones and writing Whispering Stones Bobby Watt (RJW<a href="http://www.rjwgem.com/en/home/" style="color: black;" target="_blank"> Cambell</a>). You gave the boys a real lift.</li>
</ul>
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<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">For making sure the Emigrant Stones got to Montreal from Ottawa Danny Brennan and Pat Kelly.</li>
</ul>
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<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">For getting the Emigrant Stones across the Atlantic.</li>
</ul>
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John Lyons (<a href="http://www.irish-shipping.com/" style="color: black;" target="_blank">Irish Shipping and Transport</a>)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBqou1GM8Xza2m0zcFTYQUHwxuBTT0WV2BJ47pX-3wsGkymmLqz5UZwxrUYpaMjiHWRUJRHZoQPjMxURPqjKdW5NR5O4ryAP-IyfniVz8wrZxhBezoNwXujDOxalMgpiOd2sjN-_xGNk/s1600/1011348_539881766059951_1183246640_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBqou1GM8Xza2m0zcFTYQUHwxuBTT0WV2BJ47pX-3wsGkymmLqz5UZwxrUYpaMjiHWRUJRHZoQPjMxURPqjKdW5NR5O4ryAP-IyfniVz8wrZxhBezoNwXujDOxalMgpiOd2sjN-_xGNk/s200/1011348_539881766059951_1183246640_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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To the carvers for producing the four wonderful provincial crests:</div>
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<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://dswaireland.ning.com/profile/JuliaGebel?xg_source=profiles_memberList" target="_blank">Julia Gebel</a> (Leinster) </li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christian-Helling-Sculptor-Stonemason/464699896903110" target="_blank">Christian Helling</a> (Connacht) </li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/traditionalstonecrafts" target="_blank">Alex Panteleyenko</a> (Ulster) </li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;"> <a href="http://thestonecarver.com/" target="_blank">Victor Daly</a> (Munster)</li>
</ul>
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<br />
To all those who donated stone to the project:</div>
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<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">DSWAI members would like to thank DSWA Wales Branches members for donating the quartzite boulder from the breakwater quarry at Holyhead and the railway sleeper block from the Festiniog Railway, delivered by hand through Sean Adcock.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.rosshop.ie/directory/stone-a-precast/mike-kelly-stone-a-precast.html" style="color: black;" target="_blank">Mick Kelly</a> (a proud Connacht man from Roscommon living in nearby Kilcormac) for the many tons of Connacht limestone he hand-picked and delivered to us.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Rodger Deegan for the hours and hours of work he has (and continues to) put in to the project, plus the huge volumes of stone he donated. We could not have done it without him. </li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Niall and Michael at <a href="http://www.mckeonstone.ie/" style="color: black;" target="_blank">McKeon</a> Stone in Stradbally for the beautiful dimension stone which will form part of the arches and building stone in the central feature as well as to be used in seating areas.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.mcmonaglestone.ie/" style="color: black;" target="_blank">McMonagles</a> from Mountcharles in Donegal. For supplying the quartzite used in the Ulster wall.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">For donating a truck load of Sandstone for the Ulster wall <b>Drimkeelin Sandstone</b> from Donegal.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">David O'Connor of <a href="http://liscannorflagstone.ie/" style="color: black;" target="_blank">Liscannor Flagstone</a> for donating building stone and those wonderful slabs of Liscannor to be used as further seating areas.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Joe Molloy (local farmer) for donating the fine Boora limestone from his farm.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">The Sculpture Parklands staff, Thomas Egan, Rodger Deegan, Don O’Boyle, PJ and Mick Connelly. For believing in the concept, for their continuing support and enthusiasm through the grounds staff. For preparing the site so well and providing facilities for people over the weekend. Also, for excavating so many tons of lovely blue limestone used throughout the project.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Don O’Boyle for making the profiles and scaffolding and any other steel works we required.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Pat Dooley for hunting high and low in search of stone for the project. Many thanks Pat.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Tony Maher of <a href="http://www.redbook.ie/results.php?subCat=723&coCode=16" style="color: black;" target="_blank">Maher Stone Stradbally</a> for donating (and delivering) the bags of lovely green Sandstone.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Kilkenny Blue limestone for giving us a small bit of their waste off-cuts.</li>
</ul>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4B3DtyYmLIrY7Gfjd8oZ4zxWa2o22NnLlBO55roEfTvFDHrxoLdcNZndnWWUAPloicADBbF8Mkj8iVVTyxr1OwTetA0YD8mHnR1UErn6DL5Ez0HxRD47OYXKzOU0HoFgywqL7ulLJIAY/s1600/phonemayjune2013082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4B3DtyYmLIrY7Gfjd8oZ4zxWa2o22NnLlBO55roEfTvFDHrxoLdcNZndnWWUAPloicADBbF8Mkj8iVVTyxr1OwTetA0YD8mHnR1UErn6DL5Ez0HxRD47OYXKzOU0HoFgywqL7ulLJIAY/s200/phonemayjune2013082.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local Boora stone being <br />
delivered. Photo Ken Curran</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To those who helped with transport:</div>
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<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Thank you to Sean Fox for transporting the Emigrant Stones from Irish Shipping's depot in Coolock to Lough Boora.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Thanks to Donal from <a href="https://plus.google.com/117986623006800665907/photos?hl=en" style="color: black;" target="_blank">Roscrea Express</a> for moving stone for the association free of charge.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Thanks to Pauric and Enda Meehan of <a href="http://www.goldenpages.ie/meehan-brothers-killybegs/" style="color: black;" target="_blank">Meehan Brothers</a> for hauling all that stone down from Donegal (close to 50 tons!).</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Rodge Deegan and Mick Connolly of Bord na Mona for hauling all that stone from Cadamstown to the site.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">To Bord na Mona themselves for moving the Boora stone from Jo Molloy’s farm and from various locations including McKeons in Stradbally as well other places locally to the site.</li>
</ul>
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To those in the media who helped with promoting the event:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppSgggRrq3rGEOKdUtzsSA0PufWJZCvsjStagQ-DdhiDe3-j5YvyYsoy4cTLaCZrs0-7cXq080FsCP9_NXS2UkU8qtMrItJdhGuMbUTuFtaYIfQbO7gCMEhLJ0_pEHgMrQN4lyAElGns/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppSgggRrq3rGEOKdUtzsSA0PufWJZCvsjStagQ-DdhiDe3-j5YvyYsoy4cTLaCZrs0-7cXq080FsCP9_NXS2UkU8qtMrItJdhGuMbUTuFtaYIfQbO7gCMEhLJ0_pEHgMrQN4lyAElGns/s200/Untitled-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Karen O’Grady from the <a href="http://www.midlandtribune.ie/" style="color: black;" target="_blank">Midland Tribune</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Katriona McFadden, Fergus, Derek, and all on RTE Radio 1’s The Mooney Show.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Rebecca Kelly and the <a href="http://hospicefoundation.ie/" style="color: black;" target="_blank">Irish Hospice Foundation</a> for inviting us to be a part of their book on gathering events.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Jim Finn at <a href="http://www.tippfm.com/" style="color: black;" target="_blank">Tipp Fm</a> for having us on the show</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Thanks to Paul and all at <a href="http://www.brixworkwear.com/" style="color: black;" target="_blank">Brix Workwear</a> for donating our safety gear.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Thanks to <a href="http://www.bancrete.com/" style="color: black;" target="_blank">Banagher Concrete</a> for saving our lives with the heavy gauge re-inforcing bars to make our profiles for the inner valette.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">To Kitty Curran for all her help with sending out endless press releases, letters and for her continuing help behind the scenes.</li>
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<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Many thanks to Tom Parkin, Tori and Christine for running the shop, meeting the public and being the information point for people.</li>
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<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Thanks a million for Tori for looking after the catering.</li>
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<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Thanks to Barry Bryan for cooking and serving the lunches.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">A big thanks to Sean Corrigan (Corrigan’s Bar, Ferbane) for bringing us water, drinks, snacks and lots of delph and cutlery for serving the food onto.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">Thank you to Dooleys' Hotel and The Maltings B&B, both in Birr, for looking after our participants very well and offering them generous discounts on accommodation and food.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">A big thank you to all those who donate money or came down to the site and offered us words of encouragement or contributed a stone.</li>
<li style="font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em 2.5em; padding: 0px;">The organizing committee would like to thank very much their spouses, partners and family members for the support, patience and encouragement during the planning and delivery of the event. We love you all very much</li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloBFQPzSJocdqgUGjHJu2U0nQfvOBMfm0uiT9klwweCw-YarWW4tXBp-Ve0JTapkEBq0jlxbIpawznWjzITye5EwldQfKoBs_GfTldKV1EphQSCv7J3qfAb1zwsDCz7QeXIk8ND8hf_g/s1600/DSC_0188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloBFQPzSJocdqgUGjHJu2U0nQfvOBMfm0uiT9klwweCw-YarWW4tXBp-Ve0JTapkEBq0jlxbIpawznWjzITye5EwldQfKoBs_GfTldKV1EphQSCv7J3qfAb1zwsDCz7QeXIk8ND8hf_g/s400/DSC_0188.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stones bearing names of loved ones.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oWSi2zMzT_1uO2kF-FLfnDK1CnJgzfCBT2lGg4YJ_UHt8HI0U5Axwqmak3Z3An2TkJmcp8a4_YTeoagJ4JODT6I8XuWfXP9c6syR58dlopziIP8TXw4mEbyqogpupExDRJK75euzU-k/s1600/DSC_0157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oWSi2zMzT_1uO2kF-FLfnDK1CnJgzfCBT2lGg4YJ_UHt8HI0U5Axwqmak3Z3An2TkJmcp8a4_YTeoagJ4JODT6I8XuWfXP9c6syR58dlopziIP8TXw4mEbyqogpupExDRJK75euzU-k/s200/DSC_0157.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>
<b>It should be noted that it is far from too late to be involved with this project.</b></div>
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<b>Whether it’s:</b></div>
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<b>donating stone for building</b></div>
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<b>helping with transport</b></div>
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<b>getting involved in the building</b></div>
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<b>or even digging into your pocket to make a financial contribution.</b></div>
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<b>We still do not have funding and every little bit (really! anything! even as little as €5) will help to push this forward.</b></div>
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<b>Get involved, be a part of it.</b></div>
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<b>Don’t look back and regret not having contributed something to this ground-breaking moment for Irish dry stone construction.</b></div>
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It is pretty amazing what has been achieved considering that we have had <b>ZERO </b>financial backing for this event. Funding is something that we do desperately need so please consider donating what ever you can. </div>
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We also have a small number of the hugely popular Gathering of Stones Tshirts available for purchase. These limited edition Tshirts cost €20 plus postage and packaging. All proceeds of the Tshirts go to funding the Gathering of Stones event.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVoUPiCwA1Bo6rFfsZ_MJwfdtfBxSdLVtv5enyTm0Kw-bXiPP5nVMfa7do8y4qvd43E8ZEoE9OETqFUzwAmzYm3B4m-MOwdxPqjc-sCeOGR7avnOunyKa69MFgittR0URZecpq5gofhI/s1600/tshirts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVoUPiCwA1Bo6rFfsZ_MJwfdtfBxSdLVtv5enyTm0Kw-bXiPP5nVMfa7do8y4qvd43E8ZEoE9OETqFUzwAmzYm3B4m-MOwdxPqjc-sCeOGR7avnOunyKa69MFgittR0URZecpq5gofhI/s400/tshirts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<option value="Tshirt + P&P Ireland">Tshirt + P&P Ireland €25.00 EUR</option>
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If you wish to visit the monument, it can be found in the <a href="http://www.loughbooraparklands.com/" target="_blank">Lough Boora Sculpture Park</a> between Tullamore and Birr in County Offaly. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 17px;">View </span><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ll=53.592505,-7.525635&spn=2.008447,6.240234&t=m&z=8&iwloc=0004d53ab9ef66f332da0&msa=0&msid=205638211513147337490.0004d53aab89601a9ede3&source=embed" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 17px;">The Gathering of Stones, Lough Boora Parklands</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 17px;"> in Google maps </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 17px;">(GPS Coordinates +53° 13' 5.59", -7° 43' 34.37"</span></form>
Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com6Boora, Co. Offaly, Ireland53.210986653747753 -7.788580663036555153.201425653747755 -7.8088366630365549 53.220547653747751 -7.7683246630365552tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-64640816413308310282013-03-19T07:47:00.004+00:002013-03-19T07:47:36.854+00:00Miniature stoneworks. Giants amongst pebbles. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AQA0nEKPfQeFYmLkO9lEJtY-0T7L5uA1juiJRVrAeOJJsaD1inTa0jZ8trEHh9n4lf_bWFmxlcPaxiDK7-v9GoXYyvU3wbECR78Bk1-MT7tddwcv-Nm_2z0FDIqIJAe1NTZpNVAf5b4/s1600/65804_142077062618121_992343405_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AQA0nEKPfQeFYmLkO9lEJtY-0T7L5uA1juiJRVrAeOJJsaD1inTa0jZ8trEHh9n4lf_bWFmxlcPaxiDK7-v9GoXYyvU3wbECR78Bk1-MT7tddwcv-Nm_2z0FDIqIJAe1NTZpNVAf5b4/s1600/65804_142077062618121_992343405_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'The inner circle' by land artist <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jaime.p.leap/photos_albums" target="_blank">Jaime Filipe</a></td></tr>
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Miniature stoneworks may look like the real deal close up, but they are in fact far more complicated to build and also cannot withstand the same abuse as large scale stonework. In general stonework can take a lot of abuse , only really taking damage by human error when being hit by a vehicle or if poorly built. Miniature stoneworks are a lot more fragile, a dangling sleeve,a strong gust of wind or even placing a stone with too much conviction can bring the whole thing crumbling down. This is why I think I will stick to the big stuff and leave the miniature stuff to the real pros,<br />
Below are a few examples of some great miniature stoneworks and a bit about a few of the artists as well.<br />
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American environmental artist <a href="http://www.greenspiritarts.com/Welcome_to_Greenspirit_Arts.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Sally J. Smith</a> builds these wonderful fairy houses below, and shares with me a little about her stone fairy houses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPdVRduvnLXnrb3Z7tYRCFYXh3RcwWRvkLIRqKlRuCf3_rFufKkht3vqzUB6gom5N6kCNYWJEQ_lN7jvNjgRV4aHLINyecy1OaEzG3rpuMJBjiCLMa9LWxxzpfnElhQskcLqOM2MPem0/s1600/6+GreenspiritArts_Emerald+Moss+House_+lo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPdVRduvnLXnrb3Z7tYRCFYXh3RcwWRvkLIRqKlRuCf3_rFufKkht3vqzUB6gom5N6kCNYWJEQ_lN7jvNjgRV4aHLINyecy1OaEzG3rpuMJBjiCLMa9LWxxzpfnElhQskcLqOM2MPem0/s400/6+GreenspiritArts_Emerald+Moss+House_+lo.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Emerald Mossy Fairy House by artist <a href="http://www.greenspiritarts.com/Welcome_to_Greenspirit_Arts.html" target="_blank">Sally J. Smith</a></span></td></tr>
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The Emerald Mossy Fairy House was a relatively large construction built on a woodlands trail. It took a week to build... 2 of those days were spent gathering the stones and bringing them in to the site. The large mossy boulder-cliff already looked like a house in Sally's eyes...<i>"it just needed a little encouraging to bring it out!" </i>A Weeping Willow twig branch was twisted and woven to make the large window. A shelf fungus was found nearby and used as an awning to protect the entrance-way. A small dormer room was added later. The stone walling portion is approx 30 inches high.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8ruB7kqyOrBrqAX90jCmpmklKMIDRybkvr0TMgID4Y4a1kQb6_HfQbt5oKGcu3ceDaKMk4-ajNhVJ6WbpyRnmTU8lTII0ji5mPIt_Rzwe1pQxZ79C8sxP8M5Ow50BxWa7E-JBMEgjf4/s1600/1+GreenspiritArts_Emerald+Moss+House+progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8ruB7kqyOrBrqAX90jCmpmklKMIDRybkvr0TMgID4Y4a1kQb6_HfQbt5oKGcu3ceDaKMk4-ajNhVJ6WbpyRnmTU8lTII0ji5mPIt_Rzwe1pQxZ79C8sxP8M5Ow50BxWa7E-JBMEgjf4/s400/1+GreenspiritArts_Emerald+Moss+House+progress.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building sequence of Emerald Mossy Fairy House</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhez-THa30c5mDwdfRgfcS9XjKYgEYd1aFvQaZcdPdy8kUF_v67-lu5_BdN2pX3LmBwV082d3xZsGrRPVT1hD4V4B6pLytszYNTwXSmKZe5tDX-3wLV2OG9Q5ChcwRm72VAUiGay9qOtng/s1600/Emerald-House-side-view-2-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhez-THa30c5mDwdfRgfcS9XjKYgEYd1aFvQaZcdPdy8kUF_v67-lu5_BdN2pX3LmBwV082d3xZsGrRPVT1hD4V4B6pLytszYNTwXSmKZe5tDX-3wLV2OG9Q5ChcwRm72VAUiGay9qOtng/s400/Emerald-House-side-view-2-e.jpg" width="368" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view of Emerald Mossy Fairy House</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8oqdx-FQcvzX8J-8ukBjA74hDBvLwB50WMWLQs5YHQC_8IcRIwXpfxxJqu0VlXRj82mFIw6qBqmvyNgCT7GZ7NpADlLBAZ4O16LqXUsaqiE4G7YAFLujbnIwKleDjBsBiqcWVHGolKk/s1600/4+Greenspiritarts_Riverstone+Tower_+approach+lo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8oqdx-FQcvzX8J-8ukBjA74hDBvLwB50WMWLQs5YHQC_8IcRIwXpfxxJqu0VlXRj82mFIw6qBqmvyNgCT7GZ7NpADlLBAZ4O16LqXUsaqiE4G7YAFLujbnIwKleDjBsBiqcWVHGolKk/s400/4+Greenspiritarts_Riverstone+Tower_+approach+lo.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riverstone tower by <span style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="http://www.greenspiritarts.com/Welcome_to_Greenspirit_Arts.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank">Sally J. Smith</a> </td></tr>
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This was one of Sally's first stone sculptures. Finding all different colours of stone along the river, Sally tried to graduate the shading as she built the tower up from a very special pothole which was now exposed along the bank due to the low water of mid-summer. "<i>The tower took many pleasant days to build. I found a few very special stones that looked like fanciful gargoyles so I saved them to line the access bridge".</i> Moss was brought in as were some ferns and wildflowers. The house had a special visitor one day...can you spot it? The tower was enjoyed by a lot of people who saw it. "<i>After it had been up for about 2 weeks, we had a flash flood. I rushed to the river and took one final image because I knew the river was going to flood over night. I came back the next morning and it was all down and deep underwater. A week later I came back to a pothole full of small stones. I cleared out the shards and distributed them along the banks....grateful for the experience"</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApDcIgSYkyfkklRXvrncL535EHeEQUYemUbPWP4wHMlOE3kwCzcnI7jvg2VzNy-9h4__tUk8mApfmJlfWoj9F0ek212iohkuUgZRI1p-e7n4JtPhpLFzch0KxRE3unhKH7MLN0ixb5cE/s1600/1-Greenspiritarts_Riverston.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApDcIgSYkyfkklRXvrncL535EHeEQUYemUbPWP4wHMlOE3kwCzcnI7jvg2VzNy-9h4__tUk8mApfmJlfWoj9F0ek212iohkuUgZRI1p-e7n4JtPhpLFzch0KxRE3unhKH7MLN0ixb5cE/s400/1-Greenspiritarts_Riverston.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of riverstone tower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFkO0cngEKnXDi4azoNJKoEc2jh2H0Q0GVQT9cqSf_tmCz4VvPiwAHu0s3sjAeSnEwN5nXRe470XXxGrnP74UouZenmaN3PglfJm2TWLJnBBmLvxEH5_kj-NU7OxNF9n9vUuxinkRmr0/s1600/2+GreenspiritArts_Garden+Hut+front+view+with+bench+lo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFkO0cngEKnXDi4azoNJKoEc2jh2H0Q0GVQT9cqSf_tmCz4VvPiwAHu0s3sjAeSnEwN5nXRe470XXxGrnP74UouZenmaN3PglfJm2TWLJnBBmLvxEH5_kj-NU7OxNF9n9vUuxinkRmr0/s400/2+GreenspiritArts_Garden+Hut+front+view+with+bench+lo.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rock Garden Stone Cottage by <a href="http://www.greenspiritarts.com/Welcome_to_Greenspirit_Arts.html" target="_blank">Sally J. Smith</a></span></td></tr>
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<i>"A sweet little Stone cottage to grace a rock garden. When I made it I had installed one window design, but eventually I figured out how to bend a Weeping Willow branch into a Celtic-styled window so I installed that one instead. A grey slate heart made by the wave actions of the nearby lake forms the back of the wee stone bench in the Faerie-sized garden out back. The "Standing Stone" is an homage to Scotland and the lovely stones I was able to meet on my many trips there. The last photo is mainly for fun and to also give a sense of scale...sometimes it is hard to know what the scale is on these houses...that is part of the fun! This house lasted for several years. Eventually the weight of an especially snowy winter killed off the moss and a cat landing on the roof went thru the moss and the house was not repairable...so the stones are waiting in a basket for another day"</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Door detail of Rock Garden Stone Cottage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1N_sqI-pX0PtEXcFb5tCsJ4Pygb2324pocdyJQxzs4dP-ozJ9V3kptifWTgvNcMCy6azuGaqz8yXuJHYRga8qItKjbOKjBHNCkUaADdnFyH9snGPNcDZpg7bzILMUP5zFIcrOnQN9VA/s1600/5+GreenspiritArts_Garden+Hut_scale+lo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1N_sqI-pX0PtEXcFb5tCsJ4Pygb2324pocdyJQxzs4dP-ozJ9V3kptifWTgvNcMCy6azuGaqz8yXuJHYRga8qItKjbOKjBHNCkUaADdnFyH9snGPNcDZpg7bzILMUP5zFIcrOnQN9VA/s400/5+GreenspiritArts_Garden+Hut_scale+lo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Garden Stone Cottage with a cat thrown in for scale</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPj1IcY8xjJXZKAZn8oCUaOW607TX92v1jgXal6tCJJPkRZG73N6TCtxjxHQf2Se_WekzqOhBGVa3WP855kByg6qXsgl3pt_XPW83YuXhyphenhyphenawrMgcE2nnojsNQOisBkdRb1vnwnkq7G3A/s1600/5+GreenspiritArts_Shire+house_front+close+view+lo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPj1IcY8xjJXZKAZn8oCUaOW607TX92v1jgXal6tCJJPkRZG73N6TCtxjxHQf2Se_WekzqOhBGVa3WP855kByg6qXsgl3pt_XPW83YuXhyphenhyphenawrMgcE2nnojsNQOisBkdRb1vnwnkq7G3A/s400/5+GreenspiritArts_Shire+house_front+close+view+lo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Shire House <span style="font-size: small;">by</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="http://www.greenspiritarts.com/Welcome_to_Greenspirit_Arts.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank">Sally J. Smith</a></td></tr>
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The Shire House was built along a mountain stream. There was a trail nearby used by hikers and campers. The house took several days to complete. While it was under construction Sally left a small sign asking folks to please respect the artwork. One day Sally came to work and found a message written in pebbles under the mossy bank. ~"<i>That was fun</i>!" Several days later Sally returned to see how the house was doing....sadly, a wild animal had ripped it apart.<i> "There were some VERY large canine tracks in the sandy beach...another message this time, not so nice. I suspect it was either a large wolf-coyote hybrid or just a hikers large dog. I took all the stones and put them back in the river and cleaned up the moss. It was sad to see it go but the river gives and takes all the time."</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEjNHTpISMZkUOklbCSfvNdnl5mUidOq-1xLVpqNNFV9Uc3Pv-GNal_2c3thkmxvJftwZCKliN918eyqQnjrHAffgZxaP91t-EiErxXuYtJXQBKt9_B1HyqjJcQ-lHGDVTKoscuuQo5A/s1600/3+GreenspiritArts_Shire+house+under+construction_so+cool+lo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEjNHTpISMZkUOklbCSfvNdnl5mUidOq-1xLVpqNNFV9Uc3Pv-GNal_2c3thkmxvJftwZCKliN918eyqQnjrHAffgZxaP91t-EiErxXuYtJXQBKt9_B1HyqjJcQ-lHGDVTKoscuuQo5A/s400/3+GreenspiritArts_Shire+house+under+construction_so+cool+lo.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Shire House with a message left by a fan.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0ydQjEkWab6PKl0fOKuL5XK3cE572uid4TIWMjKRoPfo1xgJ9SomdChA8LlRA_LGS4MLqDWctpvZWuF3EBphUtm-BGpy4iz4Y3Er60OCksjT0OIN0bnXvR5hiW4nTx4KmrCZ-yV3Z_w/s1600/1+GreenspiritArts_Shire+house+under+construction+lo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0ydQjEkWab6PKl0fOKuL5XK3cE572uid4TIWMjKRoPfo1xgJ9SomdChA8LlRA_LGS4MLqDWctpvZWuF3EBphUtm-BGpy4iz4Y3Er60OCksjT0OIN0bnXvR5hiW4nTx4KmrCZ-yV3Z_w/s400/1+GreenspiritArts_Shire+house+under+construction+lo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Shire House under construction</td></tr>
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These fairy houses are only a small part of some of the gorgeous work Sally does so be sure to check out her website <a href="http://www.greenspiritarts.com/" target="_blank">www.greenspiritarts.com</a> to see some of her other work. She also takes commissions if you want a fairy house of your own or just order on of her lovely calenders that have prints of the ones she already has created.<br />
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UK based landscaper/ artist David Wood of <a href="http://www.woodlandscapes.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wood Landscapes</a> has recently started making these wonderfully accurate miniature stonework. The detail in these is just astounding.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTt9XVO0Zsu8v2O56teS9bMV-50gkQrrjLW-FTLpsD_FRhKwmvuckajcu8vzdRfYqCF_vfggQ4mdski59mGjvJBFbWapDFaXKLQJtREWxbcoP5g9k2-6nhZTDbrpBaymx3DFihWygb8A/s1600/427342_480625681987432_2009217253_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTt9XVO0Zsu8v2O56teS9bMV-50gkQrrjLW-FTLpsD_FRhKwmvuckajcu8vzdRfYqCF_vfggQ4mdski59mGjvJBFbWapDFaXKLQJtREWxbcoP5g9k2-6nhZTDbrpBaymx3DFihWygb8A/s1600/427342_480625681987432_2009217253_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miniature stone bridge by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/woodlandscapes" target="_blank">David Wood</a> </td></tr>
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See more pictures of these as well as his latest works on his facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/woodlandscapes" target="_blank">WoodLandscapes</a> and while you are at it check out his other facebook page too <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Inspired/465814776801856?fref=ts" target="_blank">Inspired</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdMxgvl8CCJEEr9EBGaXc1ayB-4xcnt2yUcQ8SZO3MIYXwsjELr_xGtJRFjY3aYVOBTwq5uK6pwmSmWBJ2nWLvF6D1O-MLW5VCDYanq8iFIlpXbF00BiPrSr0c7kYmJeuG4SKoCxrgyU/s1600/11784_477450895638244_300664602_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdMxgvl8CCJEEr9EBGaXc1ayB-4xcnt2yUcQ8SZO3MIYXwsjELr_xGtJRFjY3aYVOBTwq5uK6pwmSmWBJ2nWLvF6D1O-MLW5VCDYanq8iFIlpXbF00BiPrSr0c7kYmJeuG4SKoCxrgyU/s1600/11784_477450895638244_300664602_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Miniature Barn by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/woodlandscapes" target="_blank">David Wood</a> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8DMW-rDmx4AnZdaLJ5-sTlRue4H0Mx0bFf4Rh6iGeU-aDh_HvyoYtQF1z87XTerNEQhdsJrsLQaTvJVeoTrV64_wXfnLr4aUUZrAIJUWod-n5fuZixcI5B7yItdKYqGqTYvzhgMBdr8/s1600/11323_477450585638275_2082081772_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8DMW-rDmx4AnZdaLJ5-sTlRue4H0Mx0bFf4Rh6iGeU-aDh_HvyoYtQF1z87XTerNEQhdsJrsLQaTvJVeoTrV64_wXfnLr4aUUZrAIJUWod-n5fuZixcI5B7yItdKYqGqTYvzhgMBdr8/s1600/11323_477450585638275_2082081772_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Miniature Barn by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/woodlandscapes" target="_blank">David Wood</a></td></tr>
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Slightly more abstract German land artist and <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2010/11/art-of-stone-balancing.html" target="_blank">stone balancer</a> extraordinaire <a href="https://www.facebook.com/volker.paul.39" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Volker Paul</a> creates these unavailable miniature stoneworks. It is hard to even comprehend the hours and patience it must take to create these, as well as deal with all the failed attempts. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKy76bxXVy-StEnk4hr_ExxDuJqRv6jnEKFvfJfYyxpuPWSfbO-P8P1ctHOyWkeAEE17rcV-1YVfAUcrRrpLZapSdCz4hhW7JDBp1OxLI1oBj54d5xmCdHx9HyUG764AnsIUM2Lp4jmI/s1600/volker+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKy76bxXVy-StEnk4hr_ExxDuJqRv6jnEKFvfJfYyxpuPWSfbO-P8P1ctHOyWkeAEE17rcV-1YVfAUcrRrpLZapSdCz4hhW7JDBp1OxLI1oBj54d5xmCdHx9HyUG764AnsIUM2Lp4jmI/s1600/volker+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautifully delicate land art by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/volker.paul.39" target="_blank">Volker Paul</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhJq6aFdhkmazrOoXH0dHGx9mQf_n_ajrw3Ai-TrKp-JMyCpaEl8kKLI9Pc0oK01CEZSBVaibXAZ1BXoeZHDM3n7hyphenhyphenYaclpDAyVPygH42Kzz1qTVE7XbnxCh1KYm43i5hor9vYoXOT0Q/s1600/volker+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhJq6aFdhkmazrOoXH0dHGx9mQf_n_ajrw3Ai-TrKp-JMyCpaEl8kKLI9Pc0oK01CEZSBVaibXAZ1BXoeZHDM3n7hyphenhyphenYaclpDAyVPygH42Kzz1qTVE7XbnxCh1KYm43i5hor9vYoXOT0Q/s1600/volker+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Land art by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/volker.paul.39" target="_blank">Volker Paul</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMEVcqKz8hAhvisfT9I7HKlWXTyu91bHrLLztQkneIVRFYzEZxwFLILIOajxI4bHX_zXX6ubtNDqyVjRY8hr5dyYxlMCLvwtFp0AfXJcItWW9KfstAOx2bgWH63s2h-2SDW5-T1mh8Sw/s1600/volker+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMEVcqKz8hAhvisfT9I7HKlWXTyu91bHrLLztQkneIVRFYzEZxwFLILIOajxI4bHX_zXX6ubtNDqyVjRY8hr5dyYxlMCLvwtFp0AfXJcItWW9KfstAOx2bgWH63s2h-2SDW5-T1mh8Sw/s1600/volker+2.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Land art by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/volker.paul.39" target="_blank">Volker Paul</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5GMFr_pam4FoQkLvvZEDzbA3tNZzcXwxgIA-DFMV13K6_xjRswcAk_zQzWu1U9qLTVPshpX0FV-b5eHoocbQZNxv9qwS0xl5RUW4opMkRuZhILiWpRt0MrR6NH6WcPIMEBzcaAwO-Ug/s1600/volker+arch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5GMFr_pam4FoQkLvvZEDzbA3tNZzcXwxgIA-DFMV13K6_xjRswcAk_zQzWu1U9qLTVPshpX0FV-b5eHoocbQZNxv9qwS0xl5RUW4opMkRuZhILiWpRt0MrR6NH6WcPIMEBzcaAwO-Ug/s1600/volker+arch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Land art by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/volker.paul.39" target="_blank">Volker Paul</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqIGz6kaV-kql3QUeutO06_iRS65An43A2R6qHLLWqvwToW2nSTU70tse97BLKUN4F4qWWgfc4odpgTt_RFdK6_FIiVkCXmQX66yWWXs2xDZRY6Yit9IANnffpmOLf2ipVp8DKQjFnho/s1600/volker4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqIGz6kaV-kql3QUeutO06_iRS65An43A2R6qHLLWqvwToW2nSTU70tse97BLKUN4F4qWWgfc4odpgTt_RFdK6_FIiVkCXmQX66yWWXs2xDZRY6Yit9IANnffpmOLf2ipVp8DKQjFnho/s1600/volker4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Land art by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/volker.paul.39" target="_blank">Volker Paul</a></td></tr>
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If you are into stone balancing (see my post on stone balancing <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2010/11/art-of-stone-balancing.html" target="_blank">here</a>) I highly recommend checking out some of his other work as he is one of the most impressive balancing artist I have ever come across. (I called him a balancing artist rather than a stone balancer as some of the things he balances are truly mind bending!) Photos of his work can be found on his facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/volker.paul.39/photos_albums" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QomzfwZRjB9v3DOYaIZ2kSJkQmwVRAjWz40eZeAiXyLy_frUHHsglMFsUZTC_QBtGE_lPueG5rXFc6gsZ62X6wmjeEv2YlcPY0BLrXHyBD0dyTCaIvfqUHXPNyIvxUtweQOkPQE4yD4/s1600/volker+The+tallest+sculpture+in+this+photo+was+about+2point60+meters+tall+and+consisted+of+more+than+100+stones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QomzfwZRjB9v3DOYaIZ2kSJkQmwVRAjWz40eZeAiXyLy_frUHHsglMFsUZTC_QBtGE_lPueG5rXFc6gsZ62X6wmjeEv2YlcPY0BLrXHyBD0dyTCaIvfqUHXPNyIvxUtweQOkPQE4yD4/s400/volker+The+tallest+sculpture+in+this+photo+was+about+2point60+meters+tall+and+consisted+of+more+than+100+stones.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Land art by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/volker.paul.39" target="_blank">Volker Paul</a></td></tr>
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North Carolina based stonemason Michael Stephens custom builds these great little stone buildings for clients. Micheal began building miniature stone houses more than twenty years ago after visiting a miniature replica tourist attraction in Canada. Constructed dry-stack style with reinforced concrete, they are weather hardy and very durable. They can be used in a model railroad, terrarium, aquarium, fairy garden, miniature zen garden and in homes as a conversation piece or gardens for accent.<br />
If you wish to see more of his work or wish to order your very own one you can contact him through his website <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fstoneworkbystephens.com%2Fminiatures&h=KAQGeT9Lw" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank">http://stoneworkbystephens.com/miniatures</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSxHN_KZAZdkiz1BX5bzaOrhUoGrrLR4D5GWacCy1jHdAoU_z-s8DTkjxpmuomRJAhtkJ2FMgwNElELgDZa8hrCPPvvdCjGwHKLRG-1XGT_nQziMturiScclFz1i2IE9trJ35hyphenhyphencpqag/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSxHN_KZAZdkiz1BX5bzaOrhUoGrrLR4D5GWacCy1jHdAoU_z-s8DTkjxpmuomRJAhtkJ2FMgwNElELgDZa8hrCPPvvdCjGwHKLRG-1XGT_nQziMturiScclFz1i2IE9trJ35hyphenhyphencpqag/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miniature stoneworks by <a href="http://stoneworkbystephens.com/miniatures" target="_blank">Michael Stephens</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1YDrfy9blADanP3dV4PsBkRmid4-4nQtbhvm5B9WbQTki4ick9IdFALkvpoZA8WeFbkHnrehrI5bDlsCAU3VRM_pmASioJF9qYaCf_aDCqTVbjk_qxPh_gI3bi9Dll6AAPeV87o4Cc0/s1600/100_44642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1YDrfy9blADanP3dV4PsBkRmid4-4nQtbhvm5B9WbQTki4ick9IdFALkvpoZA8WeFbkHnrehrI5bDlsCAU3VRM_pmASioJF9qYaCf_aDCqTVbjk_qxPh_gI3bi9Dll6AAPeV87o4Cc0/s1600/100_44642.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miniature stoneworks by <a href="http://stoneworkbystephens.com/miniatures" target="_blank">Michael Stephens</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRe8D3JX9pDjt9c0TIcF6gA5q6DO8jxoV__049CPEhDlzkZ7_ox3Dl3NrrKWHxTR2J4yIzte0jndTiZh0ru7WKQmVhtT_9QI-87t_RQgxper7iOCXOsWbbHNt9_Vln-B6b3xdGt2Dswk/s1600/100_44651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRe8D3JX9pDjt9c0TIcF6gA5q6DO8jxoV__049CPEhDlzkZ7_ox3Dl3NrrKWHxTR2J4yIzte0jndTiZh0ru7WKQmVhtT_9QI-87t_RQgxper7iOCXOsWbbHNt9_Vln-B6b3xdGt2Dswk/s1600/100_44651.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miniature stoneworks by <a href="http://stoneworkbystephens.com/miniatures" target="_blank">Michael Stephens</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhj4cXFe1Htg2K_SAWRdz5zs7Ul8h_UyY9iE8cePVYtVQYbnZA7Vx1dTNqYSKF7Plyz9jIUHD28Qn69OsdvzohNxsOUrnhK2c4e4eUM5Hctz2OGo7IXRD_Co-bhxWdnn2N4BmqJkF86g/s1600/mountain-cabin-0131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhj4cXFe1Htg2K_SAWRdz5zs7Ul8h_UyY9iE8cePVYtVQYbnZA7Vx1dTNqYSKF7Plyz9jIUHD28Qn69OsdvzohNxsOUrnhK2c4e4eUM5Hctz2OGo7IXRD_Co-bhxWdnn2N4BmqJkF86g/s1600/mountain-cabin-0131.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miniature stoneworks by <a href="http://stoneworkbystephens.com/miniatures" target="_blank">Michael Stephens</a></td></tr>
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For the traditionalists out there I have come across many miniature drystone walls also. Many of these built by dry stone wallers trying to pass the time during long winter nights.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPfqEGuYnxHgBE0fu11woM-Eum7lV-CyUczI13Zm3fTlo0Khtj1Yagm6uaD5mvBGLXBR0_62QLumlCEnz1kBr_L9Rg4Bk0gw9MX-3R2KpPIBLagv8UWlhoTS-0nfIeDiI39ZA_PpmB94/s1600/WM+Miniwallashly.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPfqEGuYnxHgBE0fu11woM-Eum7lV-CyUczI13Zm3fTlo0Khtj1Yagm6uaD5mvBGLXBR0_62QLumlCEnz1kBr_L9Rg4Bk0gw9MX-3R2KpPIBLagv8UWlhoTS-0nfIeDiI39ZA_PpmB94/s1600/WM+Miniwallashly.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dry Stone Wall built by Ashley Meadows. Photo curtsy of </span><a href="http://www.rockinwalls.com/" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank">Rocking Walls.com</a></td></tr>
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The stone wall above was spotted my Mark Jurus of <a href="http://www.rockinwalls.com/" target="_blank">Rocking Walls</a>. On his way back down from Vermont he stopped in to see his good friends from the DSC doing a workshop in PA. Mark spotted this great miniature Dry Stone Wall built by Ashley Meadows from KY. The size of this is about 5 inches high by 12 inches long.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MFT4M97PegFJbFs0ApJ_hpQPBv8KGZRAtFMgkZ2CFCdO9bFivetVb9kNBYidwlEGkLAUYgBAKLdA_0hvy2AxQmGO3XPjNPRG8WAMup5kDWNQppM-dh3nLeF-KBhE1c7qZqTcXc_w5Ms/s1600/255351_417837444920013_573042343_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MFT4M97PegFJbFs0ApJ_hpQPBv8KGZRAtFMgkZ2CFCdO9bFivetVb9kNBYidwlEGkLAUYgBAKLdA_0hvy2AxQmGO3XPjNPRG8WAMup5kDWNQppM-dh3nLeF-KBhE1c7qZqTcXc_w5Ms/s1600/255351_417837444920013_573042343_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miniature stonewall landscape by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/woodlandscapes" target="_blank">David Wood</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXee_BaMndINmDOF94EBU9WXIqTAPiYL9hFdDWRb61o2wHZ0BkrNKq4oKWyQ8Yo-e2-DCHE6RgM2BFcGO10aqFOGWkVh0T9jshjdebDSi_AVFze_t0UkF-Je3l0z5CU-AkfT_iRMC4gQ/s1600/16769_220662437039_7393109_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXee_BaMndINmDOF94EBU9WXIqTAPiYL9hFdDWRb61o2wHZ0BkrNKq4oKWyQ8Yo-e2-DCHE6RgM2BFcGO10aqFOGWkVh0T9jshjdebDSi_AVFze_t0UkF-Je3l0z5CU-AkfT_iRMC4gQ/s400/16769_220662437039_7393109_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miniature dry stone walls by artist/musician <a href="http://www.oldfield-press.blogspot.nl/" target="_blank">Tony Wright</a> </td></tr>
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When not in his printing press or rocking it out with his Bradford based band Terrorvision Tony Wright makes these great little miniature dry stone walls, complete with traditional features.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2zBb_-zwfdtXRKB2Lsd2jkf0mQryK6AMAVhJMNULcg10no7nJeMvHHogEZchlh97fkiY9LyjsIEOqIK7KYB81UyV7drKon9dLGUAihAL0qoaiSeWrsXU-njDISNhHUGazzThf5asEFw/s1600/222065_8601102039_3593_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2zBb_-zwfdtXRKB2Lsd2jkf0mQryK6AMAVhJMNULcg10no7nJeMvHHogEZchlh97fkiY9LyjsIEOqIK7KYB81UyV7drKon9dLGUAihAL0qoaiSeWrsXU-njDISNhHUGazzThf5asEFw/s400/222065_8601102039_3593_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miniature dry stone walls by artist/musician <a href="http://www.oldfield-press.blogspot.nl/" target="_blank">Tony Wright</a> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiKPEFkrYZwCAQ7rdHm9qVI-3A3NLyJAxVEzMp5cgI9MBjJzZr4xMHjdHxpWxUo7yGiOSGUXtJQ6AIQ7sYjG5fc350AJdOxjmIfKTdVjKPGorc_slx64-VwhVl_3b0vyYkaz87iwGYtA/s1600/230160_8601217039_990_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiKPEFkrYZwCAQ7rdHm9qVI-3A3NLyJAxVEzMp5cgI9MBjJzZr4xMHjdHxpWxUo7yGiOSGUXtJQ6AIQ7sYjG5fc350AJdOxjmIfKTdVjKPGorc_slx64-VwhVl_3b0vyYkaz87iwGYtA/s400/230160_8601217039_990_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miniature dry stone walls by artist/musician <a href="http://www.oldfield-press.blogspot.nl/" target="_blank">Tony Wright</a> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL-ugWiBwV6gbZLJMm0N4pWL-2ormcayW9KrOci3yWhZKsZn35KA0Qpb5FJU8jcOPxKFeIuZ2ppS49a7LSrxDzSvdn0Qupbxt846jqUxqEvaG9fkKXGbmamAnXFmmUC8b1EVBziGVu4I/s1600/6237102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL-ugWiBwV6gbZLJMm0N4pWL-2ormcayW9KrOci3yWhZKsZn35KA0Qpb5FJU8jcOPxKFeIuZ2ppS49a7LSrxDzSvdn0Qupbxt846jqUxqEvaG9fkKXGbmamAnXFmmUC8b1EVBziGVu4I/s1600/6237102.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miniature dry stone wall by land artist Ian Rennie. See more of his lovely land art in his flickr set <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ir0nee/sets/72157605034552302/" target="_blank">here</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbV_V38EtJdUWyKpW9zUK1Jfdh_t5Pd-fkOZSNuxf4n0Mr2DeKOXfIgY-OLDp5hwAFNKxHM8xQwowGJr1vYdlq2SyRHyyUIc6QQELlWTtKvvLxwXy_7FqsJUKp_GzrUyvv4BVSgb7OYE/s1600/new_034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbV_V38EtJdUWyKpW9zUK1Jfdh_t5Pd-fkOZSNuxf4n0Mr2DeKOXfIgY-OLDp5hwAFNKxHM8xQwowGJr1vYdlq2SyRHyyUIc6QQELlWTtKvvLxwXy_7FqsJUKp_GzrUyvv4BVSgb7OYE/s200/new_034.jpg" width="200" /></a>I have even come across a miniature dry stone walling course. The Yorkshire Dry Stone Walling Academy in the UK offer a mini dry stone walling training course that is aimed a junior groups, such as Cubs and Scouts. The half day training courses show the attendees how to build a dry stone wall and using the specially prepared kits that allow each attendee to construct their own replica dry stone wall to take away <span style="text-align: center;">using the same materials and principles of walling construction to produce a 1:24 replica of a dry stone wall. Find out more about these courses </span><a href="http://www.ydswa.com/index.php?p=1_11_Mini-Walling-Course" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="text-align: center;">. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjNBke-75EmwZIUEin552Ovzm6Lrq0uRkyqzCjeh5sN_M1_M4ShVOWNzJgwD0C6UG2YygXGGPdmEvUj4H0uiHaf8zWjQpdnbuLspdO_GtoslxI1K-Azp1QafePN5zk6C1EfYydmidTtE/s1600/small-wall-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjNBke-75EmwZIUEin552Ovzm6Lrq0uRkyqzCjeh5sN_M1_M4ShVOWNzJgwD0C6UG2YygXGGPdmEvUj4H0uiHaf8zWjQpdnbuLspdO_GtoslxI1K-Azp1QafePN5zk6C1EfYydmidTtE/s1600/small-wall-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I thought that I could not end the post without representing some of Ireland's unique dry stone walls, so I had a go at building a few miniature walls of my own. <br />
My first miniature wall is single stone wall common in Donegal and Down where large rocks are stacked and wedged together leaving large gaps between the stones.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IbjRQv975Zh6omRSDSl7mmBJoJ33Nq1MnUhkOqXna0T_LH9PKjEgy2Kk5-d1BkYIFI1H7VpnKgIlXpdQqYmv9yM0NebzNyoSz95EhNGzYsYZV06DHVwMjIYoGopAO2XMp6nf9A__2CQ/s1600/guinness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IbjRQv975Zh6omRSDSl7mmBJoJ33Nq1MnUhkOqXna0T_LH9PKjEgy2Kk5-d1BkYIFI1H7VpnKgIlXpdQqYmv9yM0NebzNyoSz95EhNGzYsYZV06DHVwMjIYoGopAO2XMp6nf9A__2CQ/s1600/guinness.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The second wall I attempted was one of Ireland's iconic dry stone walls, a feidín wall, usually found in the Burren in Co. Clare and on the Aran Islands. A 'feidín wall' has the smaller stones on the bottom with the big stones on top. This type of wall is made up of a double sided wall on the bottom with a large single stone wall on top. The double sided wall at the bottom is often made up of a series of large upright stones called mother stones, that run the full depth of the wall. The space between them is built up with smaller stones known as daughter stones. The upper part of the wall is then built using large stones only a single stone wide. The result is a extremely strong wall with a dense base to shelter animals and protect the soil from the strong prevailing winds, while the cracks and holes in the top of the wall let wind filter through. The light that shines through the cracks makes the wall look unstable, deterring animals from jumping on it.</div>
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This wall is also quite difficult to build in miniature, the hardest part being trying to 'heart' the wall. (back pinning the stones in the centre of the wall) Thirsty work too. And anyone who has been to <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.nl/search/label/Inis%20O%C3%ADrr" target="_blank">Feile na gCloch </a> will be able to tell you, you can't build a feidín wall with out a pint of Stout (or maybe that's just me)</div>
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Thanks to all the artists above for kindly giving me permission to share their photos with you. </div>
Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-85082396845116109722013-02-10T23:36:00.000+00:002013-02-10T23:36:07.106+00:00An invatation to The Gathering of Stones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm5rVsdNAr_9FSM3Heapn8x1KgroqbPow_SqsLFgok1Nhku-oGhv82zAjRb7yfZCgC2mYq5q5S_6yNABvrjbXLciWr7AVjK20V64vvkI3sF-wz63_LpiwrYHwU_armJ4w-JedyQ1_CSQ/s1600/GatheringFlyer-final-draft-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm5rVsdNAr_9FSM3Heapn8x1KgroqbPow_SqsLFgok1Nhku-oGhv82zAjRb7yfZCgC2mYq5q5S_6yNABvrjbXLciWr7AVjK20V64vvkI3sF-wz63_LpiwrYHwU_armJ4w-JedyQ1_CSQ/s640/GatheringFlyer-final-draft-.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the past number of months <a href="http://dswaireland.ning.com/" target="_blank">The Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland</a> in collaboration with <a href="http://www.stonefoundation.org/" target="_blank">The International Stone Foundation</a> have been working hard behind the scenes on creating a big dry stone walling event to join in the nation wide celebrations of <a href="http://www.thegatheringireland.com/" target="_blank">The Gathering Ireland 2013</a> that is running throughout the year.</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="line-height: 1.2 !important;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland (DSWAI) and the <a href="http://www.stonefoundation.org/index.html" style="color: black;" target="_blank">Stone Foundation</a> based in the USA have come together with a vision to invite this international community ‘home’ for a Gathering of Stones in the geographical centre of Ireland. In association with Bord na Mona, The Gathering of Stones will be an event where wallers and masons from all over the world as well as people with an interest in Irish dry stone walls will come together. Under the instruction and guidance of the DSWAI they will build an attractive communal stone installation that will act as a permanent monument to all events and gatherings that will take place during The Gathering 2013.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ENbSiyZqN_B0gN4M9GCUEUtLFWanFkC-N409ZU5JRtZG_npmNXNM_4r4FjzHqJpCAxGA69q3NcGOA5vXzGhrfTU4K6T8nGZS_7lS4MVgImYoetZsJdoM0RTsAAKbiYDD19d6TpDy_BQ/s1600/Plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ENbSiyZqN_B0gN4M9GCUEUtLFWanFkC-N409ZU5JRtZG_npmNXNM_4r4FjzHqJpCAxGA69q3NcGOA5vXzGhrfTU4K6T8nGZS_7lS4MVgImYoetZsJdoM0RTsAAKbiYDD19d6TpDy_BQ/s400/Plan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="line-height: 1.2 !important;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Set in the grounds of the beautiful <a href="http://www.loughbooraparklands.com/" style="color: black;" target="_blank">Lough Boora Parklands</a> in County Offaly, the event will take place over the course of four days, during which we will build our dry stone gathering point.</span></span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="line-height: 1.2 !important;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All four provinces in Ireland will be represented in the sculpture by using a particular stone type and style from each province.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bring a stone home to Lough Boora</span></b></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="line-height: 1.2 !important;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b>Attendees are invited to “Bring a stone home to Lough Boora. These stones will be incorporated into the final installation. You are welcome to bring a rock, but a pebble will be more practical, something that will fit in your pocket will do just fine. A few larger rocks will also be making the trip to Ireland. A small number of granite blocks from the old Immigrant Docks near Battery Park in New York have been offered to the project. Millions of emigrants walked over these stones after registering at Ellis Island, including nearly everyone from Ireland during the famine years and after. RJW–Gem Campbell Stonemasons Inc. in Canada who have obtained these blocks have offered to donate a number of these to be incorporated into the sculpture.</span></span></div>
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Please come and joins us for this unique celebration of Irish dry stone heritage.</div>
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For more information log onto the DSWAI website <a href="http://dswaireland.ning.com/" target="_blank">http://dswaireland.ning.com</a></div>
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Bookings for this event as well as a detailed information pack for people planning on joining us for this event will be available on the DSWAI website within the next week so be sure to book your spot quick before the event fills up. </div>
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Very excited about this event. Look forward to seeing some of you there. </div>
Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-10970854284958007042013-02-05T20:45:00.002+00:002013-02-05T20:45:49.237+00:00The Family Tree Mosaic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As part of the sculptural outdoor classroom that I am working on at the moment for a school here in Dublin, I was asked to incorporate a tree somewhere into the design to represent the 'Family Tree'. The 'Family Tree' is a song which has come to symbolise the 'Cro<span style="font-size: 12pt;">í</span> na Scoile' (The heart of the school).</div>
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I was also asked to give the students a chance to have some input into the outdoor classroom so that they can make it their own (a very important part of the process for sure) </div>
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My solution to this was to create a large stone mosaic of the tree into the wall of the structure and to then let the students paint the leaves of the tree on precut tiles.</div>
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Past pupils, staff, board and PTA members (past and present) received a leaf to design and paint.</div>
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Almost 100 leaf tiles were painted as well as another 70 square tiles that make up the border around the mosaic.</div>
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It was great to spend some time in the classroom with students and see the excitement about creating their very own piece of art that will remain part of the outdoor classroom for years to come.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9zI1KAvTtOYVCjck-8ZDQ48_cDaP2z5y54YcWGyxN01Bej9mFWMy3LRmzgXuQ09mVmOP3B7g1mO93BcQoLiXgg9SiG27Pe08mt_kg0egG18FAnoYXNwaWtebmuIklrODyjwCSlWQq5I/s1600/DSC_0189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9zI1KAvTtOYVCjck-8ZDQ48_cDaP2z5y54YcWGyxN01Bej9mFWMy3LRmzgXuQ09mVmOP3B7g1mO93BcQoLiXgg9SiG27Pe08mt_kg0egG18FAnoYXNwaWtebmuIklrODyjwCSlWQq5I/s1600/DSC_0189.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting the leaf tiles in class</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVUaaRjyzFSywab5UnImAYMcIOqC0WumubWAo0pt8mMNU0oSP7C3VXPUi2hIa9OuKzUF6AfVosJYJhrydD4y1xbEJRlzz-YurCP7TDyiStfjLJ4_8lm3FLJ2_nBF2eo40rk9lyfHNoxI/s1600/DSC_0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVUaaRjyzFSywab5UnImAYMcIOqC0WumubWAo0pt8mMNU0oSP7C3VXPUi2hIa9OuKzUF6AfVosJYJhrydD4y1xbEJRlzz-YurCP7TDyiStfjLJ4_8lm3FLJ2_nBF2eo40rk9lyfHNoxI/s1600/DSC_0195.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished leaf tiles painted by the students</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-azQdCB3fQXywb4VEP5wc-yyQmJzyp4lLWoQQSVOv76GWXO0yrIKMh9xhPP7XRUUnEJKTbDDe0zvYTnVMTIV0oTQZ6mDfPkRoEX887PBqHuphPER1XMtdkTfYAOva4cjfH39b2idFr8/s1600/DSC_0037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-azQdCB3fQXywb4VEP5wc-yyQmJzyp4lLWoQQSVOv76GWXO0yrIKMh9xhPP7XRUUnEJKTbDDe0zvYTnVMTIV0oTQZ6mDfPkRoEX887PBqHuphPER1XMtdkTfYAOva4cjfH39b2idFr8/s1600/DSC_0037.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyJYWACD35lxJOSs-6_UzRNa51yLAoCNxSbxgSTSrCxqPbuR6-eI0a4cB5KJpJ41RkPjH-uIPutk41yydk00r7-XPv3qHOitbPf7FUJa5ExU0uFkLeu3lNnBCmuX9hFs8eNgMIGDH-2Y/s1600/DSC_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyJYWACD35lxJOSs-6_UzRNa51yLAoCNxSbxgSTSrCxqPbuR6-eI0a4cB5KJpJ41RkPjH-uIPutk41yydk00r7-XPv3qHOitbPf7FUJa5ExU0uFkLeu3lNnBCmuX9hFs8eNgMIGDH-2Y/s1600/DSC_0023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Many many hours went into the making of the stone part of the mosaic, far more than anyone will ever know, but now that it is finished I know that it was all worth it. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVR177T5BzYBNg9jEo3CvmEqMabev7wlbJwNMbPUI-26-9yCk87EjG82W2URHoH0kTl8LDPtYVEtLlXR7j_8JDMKsP0ziWrTafRZT_M8mDEjRL1TaJDiiAees5sydMurSZmvX9nCnqq6s/s1600/tree-mosaic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVR177T5BzYBNg9jEo3CvmEqMabev7wlbJwNMbPUI-26-9yCk87EjG82W2URHoH0kTl8LDPtYVEtLlXR7j_8JDMKsP0ziWrTafRZT_M8mDEjRL1TaJDiiAees5sydMurSZmvX9nCnqq6s/s1600/tree-mosaic.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roots of the tree</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKxhFLz3DD6SzlH8XhZvrIVgMkWG09ynC5Q6ACDX2wyqKLfwtq-h99TJSqtG3J8T1gtzxXix1UA8YjzOth0g9LLiOtsCb9lkkDf34XCC6KSazR2FNUQl1jI3c4odWcHs8ULUQyXGCf2A/s1600/DSC_0045_6_7_tonemapped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKxhFLz3DD6SzlH8XhZvrIVgMkWG09ynC5Q6ACDX2wyqKLfwtq-h99TJSqtG3J8T1gtzxXix1UA8YjzOth0g9LLiOtsCb9lkkDf34XCC6KSazR2FNUQl1jI3c4odWcHs8ULUQyXGCf2A/s400/DSC_0045_6_7_tonemapped.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The border tiles that surround the mosaic spell out '<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>All different all
equal</i>' as well as its Irish translation '<i>G</i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>ach duine atá
difriúil ach freisin cothrom</i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">'</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXo8Qku6pcmGRk0_TOxgnY4vmoUyMKBPpk2KP5g1xdDhKfsBYDaxu3X8qNpZ7PSrNnvitBkT_K76kTjmwx93Hiog8axjMpbb0ca4bwCb9s3r9ASxUPzXkmX7x_tLvm7wRvFusETzhFDk/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXo8Qku6pcmGRk0_TOxgnY4vmoUyMKBPpk2KP5g1xdDhKfsBYDaxu3X8qNpZ7PSrNnvitBkT_K76kTjmwx93Hiog8axjMpbb0ca4bwCb9s3r9ASxUPzXkmX7x_tLvm7wRvFusETzhFDk/s640/DSC_0019.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
There is still lots to do before the outdoor classroom is complete with lots more exciting features and student involvement also, so I will get back to work now, and will post more about the outdoor classroom once it is completed.<br />
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<br />Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-694271814774941062013-01-22T22:35:00.004+00:002013-01-22T22:39:15.916+00:00Can tradespeople be artists? Lets ask Johnny Clasper.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislhwR-vsJbtPV52tlef3XRGxP8p0QKdn5J79oNQkhn8rlfIskjKorAFvExVGwZXsrtyyFyjfGSXrL-qGlog-zrD0UFXzhshCBxMH6GdPOMF7RJTx9yJygsEhAuJAXW-bMDopjDITuh9Q/s1600/555459_352296214835892_1419354099_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislhwR-vsJbtPV52tlef3XRGxP8p0QKdn5J79oNQkhn8rlfIskjKorAFvExVGwZXsrtyyFyjfGSXrL-qGlog-zrD0UFXzhshCBxMH6GdPOMF7RJTx9yJygsEhAuJAXW-bMDopjDITuh9Q/s400/555459_352296214835892_1419354099_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone mosaic by Johnny Clasper</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can tradespeople be artists?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An interesting question which is being explored by a new Irish series on TG4 at the moment called 'Dullamullóg'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Launched last Sunday 13th January, the show follows six tradespeople
who take on the challenge of creating a piece of critically acclaimed art.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each tradesperson is paired up with a professional artist
who helps them with their work. The final piece is then put in amongst professional
art works which are all scrutinised by art critic Ciaran Bennett who then has
to decide which piece is made by the tradesperson.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRNlUl33bNdglxeN2N1LLPraZYOyG_BhX4wUDrJGskJX5sK6vzK6nXOVhRZmHqisToyz-mCtHULDbqt-wGNTyA32bK8-6cL35naswLyOmC-v6lCGvXpmdhvjMuWdfEl3OAfdz5wBVGcY/s1600/Art-Critic-Ciaran-Bennett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRNlUl33bNdglxeN2N1LLPraZYOyG_BhX4wUDrJGskJX5sK6vzK6nXOVhRZmHqisToyz-mCtHULDbqt-wGNTyA32bK8-6cL35naswLyOmC-v6lCGvXpmdhvjMuWdfEl3OAfdz5wBVGcY/s200/Art-Critic-Ciaran-Bennett.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art Critic Ciaran Bennet</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The show features renowned Irish artists Cliodna Cussen,
Peadar Lamb and Turner nominated Liam de Frinse. The first episode follows
Eamonn O'Neill, a Tree Surgeon from Shankill, Co. Dublin paired with
professional sculptor Séighean Ó'Draoi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Episode two pairs plasterer and bricky Gearóid Ó Ceannabhái, from Dublin, with
the great Irish stone sculptor Cliodna Cussen. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5_sisveQ_yoa3KhDDe2bNMGZjy9nkPs_fEYAM_XeTdB-rh9C4S_vLDCYqUI8h-nOIvg-ATyGN58wScEaowU7RF6dqX28aiEtDanUYWnL6dVbSGyTs6vPaZxMpkxnT-hM-4MVJQrtRZw/s1600/Gearoid+Tradesman+Still.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5_sisveQ_yoa3KhDDe2bNMGZjy9nkPs_fEYAM_XeTdB-rh9C4S_vLDCYqUI8h-nOIvg-ATyGN58wScEaowU7RF6dqX28aiEtDanUYWnL6dVbSGyTs6vPaZxMpkxnT-hM-4MVJQrtRZw/s200/Gearoid+Tradesman+Still.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bricky Gearoid on the show.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An interesting show, worth checking out. Screens at 8.30pm
on TG4. Repeated the following Tuesday at 11.30pm. The series will run for six
weeks. Can also be played back on the <a href="http://www.tg4.ie/en/tg4-player/tg4-player.html?id=2092442508001&title=Dallamull%C3%B3g" target="_blank">TG4 website</a> <a href="http://www.tg4.ie/en/tg4-player/tg4-player.html?id=2092442508001&title=Dallamull%C3%B3g" target="_blank">watch it here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will look forward to seeing the next episode. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This show reminded me of a great tradesperson cum stone artist that I have been meaning to highlight for a while now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This person being <a href="http://www.johnnyclasper.co.uk/" target="_blank">Johnny Clasper.</a></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist Johnny Clasper sitting on front of one of his flowing stonework art pieces.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before becoming obsessed with stone, Johnny started off as a bricky. In fact from an early age his weekends were spent working with his father (a builder) as a labourer on building sites. Johnny quickly got promoted from broom and wheelbarrow to trowel and hammer. Johnny said that something happened when he was handed that rusty old trowel and heavy split handled lump hammer in his hands, a magic feeling inside.<i> "With these tools I can build (a feeling I still get today when I pick up certain tools). A short while after I saved up and bought myself some decent tools. I was one proud 16 year old lad!"</i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail from another stone mosaic by Jonny Clasper</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A fast learner and keen to learn anything he could, Johnny put himself into college to study brickwork <i>"At last something I really wanted to learn and really enjoyed doing"</i>.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Johnny became top of the class and earned the student of the year award 1997. <i>"College taught me all about the modern ways of building while my time at work I learned many traditional techniques of laying stone, at the time I was always drawn to stone.. so many ways to lay it as opposed to bricks."</i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning stone wall by Johnny Clasper. I do love this wall.</td></tr>
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The next 5 years or so Johnny worked on many stone houses, extensions and barn conversions before going self employed. Years passed doing the same things, that is until he started to read up and practice drystone walling. </div>
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<i>"This changed everything, without the mortar separating the stone, i became more in-tune and aware of the stone, studying the grain, natural shape and textures, different results and finishes were possible, everything was now falling into place or was it?</i></div>
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<i>it was always my dream and goal to build something that hadn't been done before, but everything seemed to have already been done by someone..</i></div>
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<i>I had thoughts of somehow bringing stone to life but how?</i></div>
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<i>a wall will always be a wall or will it?"</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drystone sculpture 'the seed' by Johnny Clasper</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2010 Johnny decided to rent a small studio where he hoped to create something that wasn't bound by the rules of building or drystone walling <i>“both seem to contradict each other”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He started by making a seed sculpture with leftover roof slate, the pinnacle moment and the start of his creative journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“But the seed sculpture wasn't quite what I had in mind” explains Johnny.<i> “I wanted movement in the stone somehow”.</i></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Johnny's stone scorpion sculpture</td></tr>
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<i>"I had an image of an attacking scorpion in my mind made with jagged stacked slate and polished black limestone, materials I had kept from previous jobs.</i></div>
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<i>against all advice from my sculptor friends, family and my own instinct telling me not to do it, I decided to create the scorpion (or the illusion I saw in my mind)</i></div>
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<i>the scorpion was an instant success and the door to my creative part of my mind blew wide open!"</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dry stone stream by Johnny Clasper</span></td></tr>
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<i>From here Johnny started experimenting with flow. “If stone can be brought to life maybe it could become fluidic and flow like water would?”.</i><br />
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<i>"Any chance I got I would arrange pebbles or shards of slate into flowing patterns or drains, mimicking the flow of water spiralling away."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Johnny's swirly pebble path in the gold winning garden at the 2012 Harrogate Spring Flower Show </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last year Johnny was involved in the construction of a gold awarded show garden at the 2012 Harrogate Spring Flower Show. Part of Johnny’s design brief was to lay a stone slab and pebble path. Most people, if not pretty much everybody else would have been content with pebbles neatly spread between the flagstones. But Johnny being Johnny felt compelled to spend what should have been a five minute job into a nine hour labour of love, transforming what (in my opinion) was otherwise a nice ordinary show garden into an extraordinary gold winning one. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Johnny's wishing well</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Johnny has lots more great work on his website <a href="http://www.johnnyclasper.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.johnnyclasper.co.uk</a> but he is also a great man for the facebook so be sure to give <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Johnny-clasper-stonemasonsculptor/221045687947093" target="_blank">his facebook page</a> a like and keep up to date with all his work. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More flowing pebbles by Johnny Clasper</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can tradespeople be artists? Hell yeah!</span></div>
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Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-7648091686694764042013-01-06T22:14:00.000+00:002013-01-07T07:35:24.075+00:00Happy New Year and reflecting back on 2012<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail from the 'Family Tree' mosaic I am working on for an outdoor classroom</td></tr>
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Happy New Year everyone. I feel the need to write a new blog post as I have been neglecting to do so over the past six months or so. Looking back at 2012 it has been a mixed year. While battling our way though a severe recession I reflected on some of the positives of 2012. <br />
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Although I had a long and quiet winter and spring, 2012 did bring along a few projects that I am very happy with. I did get to make a stone mosaic panel that I had been wanting to make for some time. My mind is full of many, many ideas. Some just plain crazy, some incredibly ambitious and some that just require an enthusiastic client to make them become a reality.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinr3EePsHrZAm8Qgn4_otw3CNmhe6BS2YKne1Wlofot2vbsw8GyBA1Ch93scZSIsDCutbqbiBPR4bEtOg-0UIN7O6Z0meIjzPs4PZfxwY1QipaxUMIL3F8_Qn4rcKxgMGS8ZryrMNKFko/s1600/plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinr3EePsHrZAm8Qgn4_otw3CNmhe6BS2YKne1Wlofot2vbsw8GyBA1Ch93scZSIsDCutbqbiBPR4bEtOg-0UIN7O6Z0meIjzPs4PZfxwY1QipaxUMIL3F8_Qn4rcKxgMGS8ZryrMNKFko/s400/plan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Fortunately I got one of these enthusiastic clients this year that let me create this mosaic panel as a focal point in a garden makeover I was doing for him at the time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerry's Town Garden. More photos of this garden <a href="http://www.stoneart.ie/site41/index.php/portfolio-landscape/46-gerrys-town-garden" target="_blank">here</a></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">For this panel I used some Golden brown Quartzite from Co. Donegal that I had left over from building the garden, with some Liscannor sandstone from Co. Clare I had laying around in the studio. These two stones make a striking contrast to each other and the mirror reflects fragmented colours and light from around the garden. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural stone mosaic in Gerry's Town Garden. More photos of this garden <a href="http://www.stoneart.ie/site41/index.php/portfolio-landscape/46-gerrys-town-garden" target="_blank">here</a></td></tr>
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In early 2012 I also took in the position on Chairman of <a href="http://dswaireland.ning.com/" target="_blank">The Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland</a> and although this has taken up much of my free time (time usually spent writing blog posts) it has been great working with like minded people that share a passion for stone and Ireland's rich stone heritage.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32f4-XbKM-RQe2X_b6eYh5Zt6zvge4q673jba_3v5gFcjghCeD4KDENLZSms5f9efYxdMs9kSJWZy6rjbacTCr1VFqRA9B779uA95yJMoqO4XoZPG7oIYoRtC3it3TJ4URj64_bZ67RE/s1600/DSC_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32f4-XbKM-RQe2X_b6eYh5Zt6zvge4q673jba_3v5gFcjghCeD4KDENLZSms5f9efYxdMs9kSJWZy6rjbacTCr1VFqRA9B779uA95yJMoqO4XoZPG7oIYoRtC3it3TJ4URj64_bZ67RE/s400/DSC_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Ireland's stunning dry stone walls. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMKtZLV6GYqgA7hEDIcuTv_DMgmyYQAb6Dxzb6I-CJcRd_yLCWVfA62PNGy1ew3JWEt_ktZr1jZ_eXrCCe23SwosDnTywOoyxYfE0EVI8Zm5B2zS6JqFO-Myc87p5ZgmxssfBvWiljTc/s1600/DSC_0078-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMKtZLV6GYqgA7hEDIcuTv_DMgmyYQAb6Dxzb6I-CJcRd_yLCWVfA62PNGy1ew3JWEt_ktZr1jZ_eXrCCe23SwosDnTywOoyxYfE0EVI8Zm5B2zS6JqFO-Myc87p5ZgmxssfBvWiljTc/s400/DSC_0078-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working on a section of dry stone wall at the Liscannor quarry with members of the DSWAI, more about this <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2012/04/trip-to-co-clare-for-some-dry-stone.html" target="_blank">here</a> </td></tr>
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During the summer I was asked by friend and fellow DSWAI member <a href="http://www.greenmanireland.com/" target="_blank">Tom Pollard</a> to help with a public art project he had organised at Electric Picnic, the country's premium music and arts festival. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFw8ETNk1ATbHBa_5LmFe3Gcwt99txj_oxo5wvMSAbrl9TusbvFNXJvnRpyTXTQDKnJzhUWp96eOAQwv29SwyyRZcDTPUZ52JYaR2_ixwjIqqfoMZ6LSe_4MubjWt8qa8h8z_FMiGDK8/s1600/DSC_0093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFw8ETNk1ATbHBa_5LmFe3Gcwt99txj_oxo5wvMSAbrl9TusbvFNXJvnRpyTXTQDKnJzhUWp96eOAQwv29SwyyRZcDTPUZ52JYaR2_ixwjIqqfoMZ6LSe_4MubjWt8qa8h8z_FMiGDK8/s400/DSC_0093.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry-stone public art project at Electric Picnic </td></tr>
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Tom had devised a sculpture that would only use materials that could be salvaged from the grounds of the estate that the festival is held on and also show off the craft of dry-stone construction. The cantilevered seats made the piece interactive and gave people the opportunity to take a rest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KDmBkSzk8WATAyWl63MhppTGvOCFjBSdbs0kp9YeWel_vxf85lZbUJ3Vm3ITw1QPTzvK1tjEdSLMTHS8NUxEWA9Hsehs_SRJpKLwg-B1FTO-6uX6QjtE1d8ytz3dRmFPdmAZ-gR39Kc/s1600/DSC_0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KDmBkSzk8WATAyWl63MhppTGvOCFjBSdbs0kp9YeWel_vxf85lZbUJ3Vm3ITw1QPTzvK1tjEdSLMTHS8NUxEWA9Hsehs_SRJpKLwg-B1FTO-6uX6QjtE1d8ytz3dRmFPdmAZ-gR39Kc/s400/DSC_0044.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The team. DSWAI members Tom Pollard, Alex Panteleyenko, Sunny Wieler and Julia Gebel</td></tr>
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The beautifully carved cap stone was carved by Julia from an old piece of cut stone that lay on the ground not 10m from where it now sits. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpurfrdJZRBItv1LsExFVnUAuyDrJsLIDslkO-hWBGWyJN80Bz_W6qlThU3WV6SFlLj89KJZQEITZhrxEIf1CeX2kMEFJzj6LUeB7QCUFsU41tIDiGbeCWypDFCVKMekpgGdjmePSBbg/s1600/DSC_0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpurfrdJZRBItv1LsExFVnUAuyDrJsLIDslkO-hWBGWyJN80Bz_W6qlThU3WV6SFlLj89KJZQEITZhrxEIf1CeX2kMEFJzj6LUeB7QCUFsU41tIDiGbeCWypDFCVKMekpgGdjmePSBbg/s400/DSC_0077.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The rest of the structure was built from reclaimed limestone and slates from the roof of the estate that had recently been replaced. Even the timber for the seats came from a damaged tree that was cut down on the estate the year before.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOxSlEygH2E0xEYzmhAz-PHS7Ctz3gFLsYlLrLXwFQo1t132Hs-l7h_DcLjVh7ccE61xGMI2ycL7PIcaIkAmKFvhxgSZV4NW0TpGYuvh1eYn6k8l6QxMlGdDNHDDouf6_MXpwzCpvcyg/s1600/DSC_0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOxSlEygH2E0xEYzmhAz-PHS7Ctz3gFLsYlLrLXwFQo1t132Hs-l7h_DcLjVh7ccE61xGMI2ycL7PIcaIkAmKFvhxgSZV4NW0TpGYuvh1eYn6k8l6QxMlGdDNHDDouf6_MXpwzCpvcyg/s400/DSC_0073.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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2012 also saw some of my stone projects included in a internationally distributed book on stone features. I was honoured to be featured alongside many wonderful stone artists from around the globe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9UPeEmUm2LGIfmycReJt2Hpn62SSQXqu1HZ_z2k7XGmZOKPeqlwtIBI6h7KdKTr8oSaPspgcrhwVx0-7ygHeH3heWVW1oTwsoYh9iqScHJO_ZaKPUiR8BqTk_sSLzZsIvY0VFc1ojKk/s1600/stone+features+book+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9UPeEmUm2LGIfmycReJt2Hpn62SSQXqu1HZ_z2k7XGmZOKPeqlwtIBI6h7KdKTr8oSaPspgcrhwVx0-7ygHeH3heWVW1oTwsoYh9iqScHJO_ZaKPUiR8BqTk_sSLzZsIvY0VFc1ojKk/s400/stone+features+book+(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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2012 also saw me return to the Aran Islands for another Feile na gCloch (Festival of Stone), a wonderful weekend of Stone, Stout and banter among fellow wallers and stone enthusiasts. This is a weekend I thoroughly recommend and one I will look forward to returning to next September. More about this event in my blog post <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2012/10/feile-na-gcloch-festival-of-stone-2012.html" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8BmXID9m8VnfIL6bIQZw9kCEKQcJCZPtFXaGxAv-iymEZtnnTzLKZA_CX86EuhogUV3_AXJu0HPUZHAjwtYlL2c9m9AVOXv3cGwagsYYU_1kP9P70iyIBG8bLSv3pyoCL0URQhihjUE/s1600/2012-inis-oirr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8BmXID9m8VnfIL6bIQZw9kCEKQcJCZPtFXaGxAv-iymEZtnnTzLKZA_CX86EuhogUV3_AXJu0HPUZHAjwtYlL2c9m9AVOXv3cGwagsYYU_1kP9P70iyIBG8bLSv3pyoCL0URQhihjUE/s400/2012-inis-oirr.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feile na gCloch 2012</td></tr>
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The rest of 2012 has been taken up working on a wonderful outdoor classroom I am building for a school in Dublin. This is still very much under construction but I will share more about this with you all once it has been completed. For now I will leave you with a sneak preview of the classroom as it looks now from one of the two entrances.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWgmKALBCrdZJ0uUJJiT7wR_xBillWmmOjXAXulFGEIrbI6UPkfv1g73CeChWuE79mc4WQhcrAY4GLVlVl9r74401bilPXBDyTHmOKTjn3fa9t4W05xjeQ-BJISTKiWfMga9OvMRMYLE/s1600/lacken3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWgmKALBCrdZJ0uUJJiT7wR_xBillWmmOjXAXulFGEIrbI6UPkfv1g73CeChWuE79mc4WQhcrAY4GLVlVl9r74401bilPXBDyTHmOKTjn3fa9t4W05xjeQ-BJISTKiWfMga9OvMRMYLE/s400/lacken3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under construction. Outdoor classroom for a school near Dublin.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b> Wishing you all much success and happiness in 2013. Regards, Sunny Wieler</b></span></div>
Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-68715103718571413312012-10-06T15:22:00.003+01:002012-10-06T15:22:54.481+01:00Feile na gCloch (Festival of Stone) 2012 Inis Oírr Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Xg2-uqD6e2Fh2g4h8ZYgxsHRJB7gp05uZlzT11LlHjL6AnmXqtjzdonV8iMNb4xDEkV3BjJH5yewRkrLLy8pjqOQ2S-gItrqz6d43o72AEUvZ6LWXZJnXDkTNvF0ftFSKcbY3zh0Qho/s1600/DSC_0270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Xg2-uqD6e2Fh2g4h8ZYgxsHRJB7gp05uZlzT11LlHjL6AnmXqtjzdonV8iMNb4xDEkV3BjJH5yewRkrLLy8pjqOQ2S-gItrqz6d43o72AEUvZ6LWXZJnXDkTNvF0ftFSKcbY3zh0Qho/s400/DSC_0270.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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On the fourth weekend of September I once again headed off to Inis Oirr (Inisheer) on the Aran Islands for this year's Feile na gCloch (Festival of Stone). </div>
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The festival is organised and run by the country's most knowledgeable and experienced drystone waller, <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/search/label/Patrick%20McAfee" target="_blank">Patrick McAfee</a>, in conjunction with the wonderful Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer of Galway County Council and Paddy Crowe, manager of the Inis Oirr Cooperative. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65RsaQfAwKRzDmBqyFnEWDg9D8bTGo8hGH80FlqP4C8UWECARkn-69_0WuiHJKMmmABltYQK0oTQWb0v_dr1cBddOr1eImMKluJorXJoQSa6y_kYj-ZzYnmkrWVYnHOxAizS0RbpXAMA/s1600/Karl8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65RsaQfAwKRzDmBqyFnEWDg9D8bTGo8hGH80FlqP4C8UWECARkn-69_0WuiHJKMmmABltYQK0oTQWb0v_dr1cBddOr1eImMKluJorXJoQSa6y_kYj-ZzYnmkrWVYnHOxAizS0RbpXAMA/s400/Karl8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group photo courtesy of Karl Kennedy </td></tr>
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Every year this event seems to get bigger and bigger, as does the list of international experts and speakers at the event. This year saw John Shaw-Rimmington of <a href="http://dswa.ca/" target="_blank">Dry Stone Walls Across Canada</a>, Tomas Lipps of the <a href="http://www.stonefoundation.org/" target="_blank">Stone Foundation</a>, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Alexandra Morosco of <a href="http://stonefest.org/" target="_blank">Stonefest</a>, Seattle, and Scott Hackney of <a href="http://www.marenakos.com/" target="_blank">Marenakos Stone</a>, Seattle and co-director of Stonefest share their knowledge as well as giving inspirational presentations on some of the amazing things happening with stone in many different parts of the world. </div>
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There were many other international people in attendance at the stone festival, including people from France, Switzerland, Australia, Netherlands, Ukraine, England ,Finland and the USA. </div>
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Also in attendance was seven of the eight person committee of the <a href="http://dswaireland.ning.com/" target="_blank">Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland</a> (Ken Curran, Sunny Wieler, Tom Pollard, Alex Panteleyenko, Rory Noone, Noel O'Shaughnassey and Francis Coady) who briefly explained their plans and aspirations for the association, which was met with a positive response. The eight member of the committee (Malachy Sheehan) was unable to attend this years Feile. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAIDbMG7bKYK1uxT4GLNEMkbrakY7Ng1fIQ9URLm7ZY9sEhAifrhO9-WhlyHFASGneSXaPXH2Fgf0F-Lu6wmZ1uG1Ds5uz80WWh4OaZJuUIhHb_ueJDxeFhnAkwEebiU9WJGofcTBT0g/s1600/DSC_0330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAIDbMG7bKYK1uxT4GLNEMkbrakY7Ng1fIQ9URLm7ZY9sEhAifrhO9-WhlyHFASGneSXaPXH2Fgf0F-Lu6wmZ1uG1Ds5uz80WWh4OaZJuUIhHb_ueJDxeFhnAkwEebiU9WJGofcTBT0g/s400/DSC_0330.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This years build was a large vertical stitch retaining wall (at least 150 tonnes)up to 12 feet (3.6Metres) high on one end. This wall style was traditional to the island, and the most effective method of building retaining walls.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdLObGk22swQDVFUct2pC91N30hVZ_JoT2F2-DK2psm1LO_LwEBUElEL4GeoY-O1pGX-dp8UvN49jESVykQ_Zmp2hrO-WTSZLUprR7Fh6sjpD1V4mVm8EpmQfLtXT40M5yHF-mQRckB8/s1600/DSC_0184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdLObGk22swQDVFUct2pC91N30hVZ_JoT2F2-DK2psm1LO_LwEBUElEL4GeoY-O1pGX-dp8UvN49jESVykQ_Zmp2hrO-WTSZLUprR7Fh6sjpD1V4mVm8EpmQfLtXT40M5yHF-mQRckB8/s400/DSC_0184.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Looking down at the retaining wall it is very easy to see why drystone retaining walls don't need any drainage pipes or gravel, as the entire structure is free draining (one of the many benefits of building in the dry stone method) </div>
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Because of the large number of participants this year, Nick Aitken and George Gunn, both well seasoned wallers and instructors from Scotland, very kindly took separate groups of people to train at walls beside the cooperative and near the harbour. </div>
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After three days of building one massive new retaining wall was completed, two free standing walls were rebuilt and a large quantity of Guinness and soup were consumed. But most importantly, new friendships were made, and the passion and respect for the traditional craft of dry stone walling continued to grow and be cared for in this country. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5EN1hyd5Ld7HII1Hvr15qo3ZEeFgBzJDer5pCLApQJeUWZGxLKBnklaiIm1YiYtT6jBQVnRd1J2vC5w40o5pmoKfa1ciVUgSeOJu2QoLziOR0yHUo_VVfNUhSzWfjMv36LYdjG3DnvE/s1600/DSC_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5EN1hyd5Ld7HII1Hvr15qo3ZEeFgBzJDer5pCLApQJeUWZGxLKBnklaiIm1YiYtT6jBQVnRd1J2vC5w40o5pmoKfa1ciVUgSeOJu2QoLziOR0yHUo_VVfNUhSzWfjMv36LYdjG3DnvE/s400/DSC_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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One of my favourite things to do when out on the island is to go off on a solitary wander, either early in the morning or late in the evening, to enjoy the spectacular scenery as well as the abundance of outstanding drystone walls the island has to offer.. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8IVFXx3KWgzF2m1mNmNfLlvDeeZD2T5fl0SFKjmINYVE5ec_CRqektD6t_boeckH2C15xjnZNeFpgrKfM6MolCZuPPACIFe9x3SAe_6e2p2EoND2pZTrlDrB7ULZoww9yc_-R0ZeAFLw/s1600/DSC_0225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8IVFXx3KWgzF2m1mNmNfLlvDeeZD2T5fl0SFKjmINYVE5ec_CRqektD6t_boeckH2C15xjnZNeFpgrKfM6MolCZuPPACIFe9x3SAe_6e2p2EoND2pZTrlDrB7ULZoww9yc_-R0ZeAFLw/s400/DSC_0225.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St.Gobnait church 'Cill Ghobnait' one of my two favourite buildings on the island (the second being Tigh Ned's pub)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old stone cairns</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">traditional stone gate</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FAR5nw9uk3jLn7GpCvey__HtLHUeDAFuxGvaeGXuWOP4eTROA68-boLCWOGxQRE9TBd7Sz22kTjtIMsqsL_tYrSAZj5y9pd0t0aNz_8I9fVjZnalrkTN4gJvUTU2AL6QwdS1c-6IJM0/s1600/DSC_0385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FAR5nw9uk3jLn7GpCvey__HtLHUeDAFuxGvaeGXuWOP4eTROA68-boLCWOGxQRE9TBd7Sz22kTjtIMsqsL_tYrSAZj5y9pd0t0aNz_8I9fVjZnalrkTN4gJvUTU2AL6QwdS1c-6IJM0/s400/DSC_0385.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Like all the other regular attendants of Feile na gCloch, I am already looking forward to next years Feile. If you would like to see my post on last years event click <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2011/09/drystone-walling-on-inis-oirr-island.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I also recommend checking out Louise Price of <a href="http://limewindow.wordpress.com/2012/10/02/feile-na-gcloch-on-inis-oirr-the-aran-islands-of-ireland/" target="_blank">Limewinow's blog post</a> on this years event. If you would like to keep up to date with Dry stone walling in Ireland or wish to find out about next years event, check out The Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland web page <a href="http://dswaireland.ning.com/" target="_blank">http://dswaireland.ning.com/</a> and feel free to sign up as a member too.</div>
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<b>And finally</b> </div>
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Sorry for my absence from my blog over the past few months. I have been very busy working on my new big <a href="http://www.stoneart.ie/site41/index.php/home" target="_blank">Stone Art</a> project. I will share more about this when I have it completed. I still have plenty of interesting things to write about and will try to get posting more often again. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busy working with stone instead of my computer</td></tr>
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<br />Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com13Inisheer, Co. Galway, Ireland53.0573325 -9.531841653.038246 -9.5713236 53.076419 -9.4923596tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-58535551261411521282012-07-08T15:21:00.000+01:002012-07-08T15:21:01.037+01:00Chris Millers Stone Truck Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Ahxao9hHucIn4vf9APk0k2c6qFH6fdZ3_ch6hBVAmR82o2eD_JMhiWE9b2l8E0mkcnKtTJ9mgxapGc35PRTrKQeKjP-TbsV9hHvosnqFI2fVkKVWT_USg0Kkkci6SIieoQQUTCJwFZs/s1600/Stone-truck-finished-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Ahxao9hHucIn4vf9APk0k2c6qFH6fdZ3_ch6hBVAmR82o2eD_JMhiWE9b2l8E0mkcnKtTJ9mgxapGc35PRTrKQeKjP-TbsV9hHvosnqFI2fVkKVWT_USg0Kkkci6SIieoQQUTCJwFZs/s400/Stone-truck-finished-crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Winter is a difficult time for a stonemason, as it is often to cold or wet to work. At this time of year you will find many twitchy stonemasons bundled up in their homes or studios like children waiting for the rain to stop so that they can go back out and play. This is, however, a great time to get inspired and conjure up interesting projects for the spring. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbc3Slfu9Oz_Gn0g_VBPwRsfZ9PVYF39JeM2y2BfSdRs_5dG8N6W4j8jhRSiqHOVB5iNrLEk4iGfBIWK1E6-YZBldye9FH6oF7qCnZHcsuEVPmYwc3J2Sp6pQAumo64K5_bOvn_GnwcY/s1600/truck+drawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbc3Slfu9Oz_Gn0g_VBPwRsfZ9PVYF39JeM2y2BfSdRs_5dG8N6W4j8jhRSiqHOVB5iNrLEk4iGfBIWK1E6-YZBldye9FH6oF7qCnZHcsuEVPmYwc3J2Sp6pQAumo64K5_bOvn_GnwcY/s1600/truck+drawing.jpg" /></a></div>
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This is exactly what Vermont sculptor and stonemason Chris Miller did.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWhZ1Xwzmx1S-enKRPkOWw9X4tQSyp_rpaadrNLrqKHj5Mz7K417Ql2ghgeZDkAaGs-Kgp27ITM4nbRpZqEmnpAA2pCtwQGnaAw7hyIqx3Zk6Tc4RWSTt26FrCOEB3_CTy55LRgY3Q4A/s1600/stone+vw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWhZ1Xwzmx1S-enKRPkOWw9X4tQSyp_rpaadrNLrqKHj5Mz7K417Ql2ghgeZDkAaGs-Kgp27ITM4nbRpZqEmnpAA2pCtwQGnaAw7hyIqx3Zk6Tc4RWSTt26FrCOEB3_CTy55LRgY3Q4A/s400/stone+vw.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Brad Bolton 1995
<span style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">(</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">read more about the stone VW </span><a href="http://thinking-stoneman.blogspot.ie/2011/12/beetlemasonry-remastered-rock-rolling.html" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">)</span></span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span></td></tr>
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Inspired by this stone VW beetle built in a field close to Ithaca New York in 1976, Chris dreamed up his own little art project.<br />
In the same spirit as the stone VW installation, Chris wanted to create a permanent installation that would both generate curiosity and inspire passers by. Having always been drawn to the relics of past industry, Chris noted that every little town in Vermont is blessed with rusty old farm trucks, abandoned and overgrown right where they came to rest. A stone truck would surely make a fitting tribute to these <span style="background-color: white;">relics of past industry.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_74JLBVJWQpxkVaB2QDysqDNCzm90RuuC3nvb1fxs1IwNdZr2w-5IESYhyphenhyphen8kUCA-wTgPaqSdo__Z1WFbLBRwrhB5cPQh7juJpbe_TCyhYvNf7kv1jJ-YbfFhnc54uX4bMqB4hoWvR9E/s1600/trucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_74JLBVJWQpxkVaB2QDysqDNCzm90RuuC3nvb1fxs1IwNdZr2w-5IESYhyphenhyphen8kUCA-wTgPaqSdo__Z1WFbLBRwrhB5cPQh7juJpbe_TCyhYvNf7kv1jJ-YbfFhnc54uX4bMqB4hoWvR9E/s320/trucks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">So now the concept was set, all he needed was the finances to build it. Most stonemasons and wallers are all very creative and artistic people, the only thing that suppresses their creativity and ability to create wonderful pieces of art is getting the opportunity from a client to build something a little different. Getting a client who is willing to give you full artistic licence is a wonderful but sadly rare thing, so the creation of websites like <a href="http://www.fundit.ie/browse" target="_blank">fundit</a> and <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/" target="_blank">kickstarter</a> have done wonders for creativity and art. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Basically these websites </span><span style="background-color: white;">provide a platform for people with great ideas to attract funding from friends, fans and followers across the world. People interested in funding a creative concept 'pledge' anything from as little as $1 towards a project. The great thing about this system is that when pledging a donation, no money is taken unless the full funding goal amount is reached. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsaCp_zcmsAEqd7IXm_1AjZD3HEhTSTKy06MXLdVFBmdFRimwjRx6bNzuptaY1sA9l12nXu7vGD5NYS91-Ddmale5T8TjAMHnIPHEWuqQAOpVlzREp-xypLU-anyDtVdNG1rGs2b1CyM/s1600/DSC04545-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsaCp_zcmsAEqd7IXm_1AjZD3HEhTSTKy06MXLdVFBmdFRimwjRx6bNzuptaY1sA9l12nXu7vGD5NYS91-Ddmale5T8TjAMHnIPHEWuqQAOpVlzREp-xypLU-anyDtVdNG1rGs2b1CyM/s1600/DSC04545-1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">In March of this year Chris Miller set up a <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/" target="_blank">kickstarter</a> page in hope of funding his stone truck project. With a modest funding goal of $2,500, Chris put out the call for funders. And to his delight a total of 85 'stone mad' art lovers from many different corners of the world backed the project. This meant that Chris could finally get cracking on the project, so in early May, he eagerly got to work.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzgRHwuqi7BfeJD6E8HCk4IwBSjJrYEUQkKWmYF8Et7Vm3ZBimsjQYrwUV0QdTQGfzRwThHeDE98b02X036g0IhYo7bD_12snzvk1hpcQ33TP9yLHfn0PaA69z2fU4W3WT_ENle-YWaE/s1600/image-122916-full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzgRHwuqi7BfeJD6E8HCk4IwBSjJrYEUQkKWmYF8Et7Vm3ZBimsjQYrwUV0QdTQGfzRwThHeDE98b02X036g0IhYo7bD_12snzvk1hpcQ33TP9yLHfn0PaA69z2fU4W3WT_ENle-YWaE/s400/image-122916-full.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSUXQd1FkcRgQny8mVrQhbH3Zb4pyOa_10hUyEY2GgTMAHhpeZbVyctbDJMSfRAhfjoZh1IVDQSQc377VX1CE-zj8ycTvXNSHmfwiJQprnZ6xaI-RqpJi6ASrO9icJvnYW_QAxWSN3PM/s1600/image-122915-full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSUXQd1FkcRgQny8mVrQhbH3Zb4pyOa_10hUyEY2GgTMAHhpeZbVyctbDJMSfRAhfjoZh1IVDQSQc377VX1CE-zj8ycTvXNSHmfwiJQprnZ6xaI-RqpJi6ASrO9icJvnYW_QAxWSN3PM/s400/image-122915-full.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 loads of quarry stone, 2 pallets of bluestone, a marble tailgate and some fine big chunks of granite went into the construction of the truck weighing in at about 40 thousand pounds (18 ton) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear window with names of donors and supporters </td></tr>
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So five weeks later the Stone Truck project was completed and ready to be discovered by passers by, hopefully filling them with intrigue and wonder for years to come.<br />
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A very interesting 3 minute <span style="background-color: white;">stop motion</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">movie of the construction.</span></div>
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Be sure to check out Chris' website <a href="http://chrismillerstudio.com/" target="_blank">http://chrismillerstudio.com/</a> <span style="background-color: white;">to see more of his </span><span style="background-color: white;">wonderful</span><span style="background-color: white;"> stonework and sculptures. Two of my personal favourite pieces of his work are below.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Firepit by Chris Miller. Granite top, Vermount bluestone and Marble fire insert.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqSV38RSvbqDgbLMPa47o6VAZV7Lj-y82EakV4u-5I1TW7q5nLswqy2FpTc_tw-yaXzH7SJg-YHXVuc8ln90ELy-7dwcIdmrAh858EPwn9_p2kOJrtaSKKAr3BXCq_KQmnVjNYeEFgwE/s1600/166389_1638936147602_3298629_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqSV38RSvbqDgbLMPa47o6VAZV7Lj-y82EakV4u-5I1TW7q5nLswqy2FpTc_tw-yaXzH7SJg-YHXVuc8ln90ELy-7dwcIdmrAh858EPwn9_p2kOJrtaSKKAr3BXCq_KQmnVjNYeEFgwE/s400/166389_1638936147602_3298629_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granite Catamount</td></tr>
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Hopefully this post inspires you to go out and create your own piece of stone art, or better still, inspires you to contact your local stonemason or dry-stone waller to commission your very own piece of art. I know for sure they are eagerly awaiting your call. </div>Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625859329247906501.post-58503973546420402752012-06-03T17:56:00.000+01:002012-06-04T08:39:26.071+01:00A look at Bloom 2012<span style="font-family: inherit;">So Bloom in the park is on in Dublin at the moment, Ireland's largest gardening, food and family event that takes place every June bank holiday weekend. (This year from Thursday 31st May - Monday 4th June). Last year 90,000 visitors visited the 70 acre site at the Visitor's Centre in the Phoenix Park, Dublin with similar numbers expected this year. I was there in the glorious sunshine yesterday and an again in the soggy rain today, and the atmosphere was great. Here is a look at some of the gardens that caught my eye over the past two days. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrup1c5skjdehpSISSNV5GjBuKzBZLFAtyi22fQfOQCArDTOnZN3XWrKwg6wJlwWnTf38-XmqWN8Ta8k9DNTpa8Dr_vcjLN2BrZ_tfVCD2us2hYuAS8LuuPfjOy-fJh13AaCaktNCY_U/s1600/Ar+Gh%C3%A1ird%C3%ADn+Cuil2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrup1c5skjdehpSISSNV5GjBuKzBZLFAtyi22fQfOQCArDTOnZN3XWrKwg6wJlwWnTf38-XmqWN8Ta8k9DNTpa8Dr_vcjLN2BrZ_tfVCD2us2hYuAS8LuuPfjOy-fJh13AaCaktNCY_U/s400/Ar+Gh%C3%A1ird%C3%ADn+Cuil2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ar Gháirdín Cuil by Students from Senior College Dun Laoghaire and Dun Laoghaire College of Further Education </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ar Gháirdín Cuil was created to celebrate two things; Ireland’s craft heritage and what a nation of skilled people can achieve by working closely together on shared goals.It is a collaborative garden which brings together the skills, knowledge and experience of two vocational colleges. The Senior College Dun Laoghaire and the Dun Laoghaire College of Further Education (with sculptures by artists Brian O’ Loughlin.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGfoikH4-H-EPoFpe82-mjXcqKcS39vzdiAogQ5IZ_KIOE9SKendfjCf7R0xPuHHJFcTu0Y4aU4_VDsAUefOgA6VP4xLE3mjhbjaDqmbX37qT3whiPrCaXDzOddpzI9nR7fDEkI9HVEs/s1600/Ar+Gh%C3%A1ird%C3%ADn+Cuil1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGfoikH4-H-EPoFpe82-mjXcqKcS39vzdiAogQ5IZ_KIOE9SKendfjCf7R0xPuHHJFcTu0Y4aU4_VDsAUefOgA6VP4xLE3mjhbjaDqmbX37qT3whiPrCaXDzOddpzI9nR7fDEkI9HVEs/s400/Ar+Gh%C3%A1ird%C3%ADn+Cuil1.jpg" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ar Gháirdín Cuil
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTx4VHyGelrr1Trv6VgoKZpSMjNTlxXAI_yNpsxWr4h0ytMbRL5rdLiSy-hBuntMj_wFw7ymnGfdiXPd_e4wg4Ha2IDeLPsyPjiIe7kawecq5cDhPCFEonD3rWoG4D7byStnwXprazIs/s1600/The+Cystic+Fibrosis+Garden,+in+Association+with+CF+Ireland3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTx4VHyGelrr1Trv6VgoKZpSMjNTlxXAI_yNpsxWr4h0ytMbRL5rdLiSy-hBuntMj_wFw7ymnGfdiXPd_e4wg4Ha2IDeLPsyPjiIe7kawecq5cDhPCFEonD3rWoG4D7byStnwXprazIs/s400/The+Cystic+Fibrosis+Garden,+in+Association+with+CF+Ireland3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Cystic Fibrosis Garden, in Association with CF Ireland by Erika Reeves of Growing Designs</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIZwDmeny11dTpsf-2kilTE_8Qxv4HAPcuPEHl69EDFFwhyciMKMT2rkejBDzehuLEU_wDzFWhfVjQa5yqpNgiY5qTGb6DTfDnW_PMzx9yg0ob1Ow8Pf8sohyphenhyphen-bxTcZIN2QEMIVP-FKQ/s1600/The+Cystic+Fibrosis+Garden,+in+Association+with+CF+Ireland2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIZwDmeny11dTpsf-2kilTE_8Qxv4HAPcuPEHl69EDFFwhyciMKMT2rkejBDzehuLEU_wDzFWhfVjQa5yqpNgiY5qTGb6DTfDnW_PMzx9yg0ob1Ow8Pf8sohyphenhyphen-bxTcZIN2QEMIVP-FKQ/s200/The+Cystic+Fibrosis+Garden,+in+Association+with+CF+Ireland2.jpg" width="132" /></span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This garden has been designed by Erika Reeves of Growing Designs to raise awareness of Cystic Fibrosis as the most common inherited disease in Ireland. Conversely it aims to bring attention to the great strides that have been made in research and treatment of the disease. Part of the garden has been devoted to the representation of one of its main characteristics, reduced respiratory function, the remainder of the garden, an open and airy seating area, signifies how medicinal help can alleviate some of the symptoms. It also tries to reflect how the support of family, friends and support networks such as the CF Association play a huge role in the life of a person living and coping with the disease. Sadly an underlying message in the garden, represented by the looming arches, is that Cystic Fibrosis can be treated but at the moment cannot be cured.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Wild Metal Garden by Jack Harte & Frank McGeeney </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> of Wild Metal</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have shared my love for <a href="http://stoneartblog.blogspot.ie/2012/02/roses-are-red-use-of-red-in-landscape.html" target="_blank">red in the landscape</a> before in a previous blog post, so it would come as no surprise that this garden caught my attention. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLtLJhJW0SxXFv6K751ZqsCAzbARduOYYwLh3AQamczOhz5Le8Eq0MOJiAeZzaxvnD8yc8mWtFe0TcVwmqYu4i1iO0dt8PnkLF5qa4t7Z581aQnA0dSKlC_bLRpX1ULXVjqp0LNa3vR0/s1600/Wild+Metal4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLtLJhJW0SxXFv6K751ZqsCAzbARduOYYwLh3AQamczOhz5Le8Eq0MOJiAeZzaxvnD8yc8mWtFe0TcVwmqYu4i1iO0dt8PnkLF5qa4t7Z581aQnA0dSKlC_bLRpX1ULXVjqp0LNa3vR0/s200/Wild+Metal4.jpg" width="132" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This garden is the work of garden duo Jack Harte & Frank McGeeney</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">of Wild Metal. Jack Harte is responsable for the wounderful red metal sculptures in the garden, and makes colourful and unique metal sculptures and ornaments for both public and private open spaces while Frank McGeeney uses his skills in both landscape archutecture and farming to creat the green oaises that suroundes the wounderful art.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sunken pods in the Wild Metal Garden</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NTMMToEaXeroDBVqUG2owZyQ1lyOYd8j7o4ynjoMWfah3DqpbCUePFwAH79uz23ur5MBm54Ew-ehFKsnLzXx8BipnLTYZS-yvWh-jSmQ8qRsqnky3HadqSY335GIpAJOG4WicT7LJ-o/s1600/Machnamh2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NTMMToEaXeroDBVqUG2owZyQ1lyOYd8j7o4ynjoMWfah3DqpbCUePFwAH79uz23ur5MBm54Ew-ehFKsnLzXx8BipnLTYZS-yvWh-jSmQ8qRsqnky3HadqSY335GIpAJOG4WicT7LJ-o/s400/Machnamh2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Machnamh / Reflection by Deirdre Pender of Talamh Landscapes</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The "Reflection" garden is designed by Deirdre Pender to provide a source of quiet contemplation and refuge from busy everyday living.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It draws on the ancient connection of hazel trees and water in Celtic mythology, in particular the sacred stand of hazel trees that hung over the Well of Wisdom in the Otherworld.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpDCq6BzFR-b0GRzsSUHEBSQulT20izssYKPKswjkDRRwISq533glTvanO191ipC1urSs3iY3kYKp8Auaskqbji9JmmejCbtd84B2W_LOGwv5FNp1ioiw87fPT8n4JPyLDlYivUE5OWE/s1600/The+Cavan+Crystal+Hotel+Wedding+Garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpDCq6BzFR-b0GRzsSUHEBSQulT20izssYKPKswjkDRRwISq533glTvanO191ipC1urSs3iY3kYKp8Auaskqbji9JmmejCbtd84B2W_LOGwv5FNp1ioiw87fPT8n4JPyLDlYivUE5OWE/s400/The+Cavan+Crystal+Hotel+Wedding+Garden.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Cavan Crystal Hotel Wedding Garden by Jason Stubbs for KHS Landscaping</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS440ZXnjo_9LA9M8TALWIdOFM2RxqiRe56dIApKRL-S_ODpPMgnKlKMQjbSIpDStUNGZ-uInRQTknNUetNxyABRTk-i5TQR-MUcH0o78D4JbUOlkhou6hJcCGhArth2NBDKTnkPuGCvI/s1600/The+Cavan+Crystal+Hotel+Wedding+Garden3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS440ZXnjo_9LA9M8TALWIdOFM2RxqiRe56dIApKRL-S_ODpPMgnKlKMQjbSIpDStUNGZ-uInRQTknNUetNxyABRTk-i5TQR-MUcH0o78D4JbUOlkhou6hJcCGhArth2NBDKTnkPuGCvI/s200/The+Cavan+Crystal+Hotel+Wedding+Garden3.jpg" width="132" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This garden is designed by Jason Stubbs prymairally to provide a romantic, enclosed space for wedding parties to have their photographs taken. To acheave this unique backdrop to the garden he commissioned three vibrantly coloured wrought-iron floral globes. These globes, the largest of which will measure three meters high, rises from swathes of flowering perennials, grouped around strong evergreen shrubs. Jason Stubbs, studied Horticulture and Garden Design with the Royal Horticultural Society and Diarmuid Gavin. Shortly after the programme he was offered a design post within Diarmuid Gavin Designs in Notting Hill London. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagONLYPeG0YmhmCJM7s-MywUJC-GziDjiCt-Qd6GhoRJvTqjMaKvoB7AE7MRG55tVqbw0hnvNWmHaj4rdELDdKBMjqlkdMff6psbKxXNKMT4arGdfnm2MBf2H8XOJDzfq-zqyYHEwMqw/s1600/Super+Garden+'Cookie+and+Creams+Reclaimed+Sanctuary'1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagONLYPeG0YmhmCJM7s-MywUJC-GziDjiCt-Qd6GhoRJvTqjMaKvoB7AE7MRG55tVqbw0hnvNWmHaj4rdELDdKBMjqlkdMff6psbKxXNKMT4arGdfnm2MBf2H8XOJDzfq-zqyYHEwMqw/s400/Super+Garden+'Cookie+and+Creams+Reclaimed+Sanctuary'1.jpg" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Garden by RTE Super Garden winner Leonie Cornelius</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8A3aY-BpcUppLtriO5cYAZiwZsqryg0w4bxAz8Mzc0cylZsM6T6HMuS2dzS5mcFUXqox5fZXI7oTvVaB7jVeC4ugtRzzp7qpQIbx5cCi3z6afNCqgMpWyTYgw39_QLhNhbeCaEg_kEo/s1600/Super+Garden+'Cookie+and+Creams+Reclaimed+Sanctuary'2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8A3aY-BpcUppLtriO5cYAZiwZsqryg0w4bxAz8Mzc0cylZsM6T6HMuS2dzS5mcFUXqox5fZXI7oTvVaB7jVeC4ugtRzzp7qpQIbx5cCi3z6afNCqgMpWyTYgw39_QLhNhbeCaEg_kEo/s200/Super+Garden+'Cookie+and+Creams+Reclaimed+Sanctuary'2.jpg" width="132" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This lovely garden is a recreation of the garden that won Leonie Cornelius the title of RTE's Garden show <a href="http://www.rte.ie/tv/programmes/super_garden.html" target="_blank">Super Garden</a>. The theme of the garden is elegance and beauty using reclaimed materials where nature and architecture come together to create a harmonious whole. A customised space that shows how materials that most people would throw out can be used to create something new and extraordinary.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">More Great Gardens.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As this post is getting very long, here is just a quick look at a few more of the gardens at bloom. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTh0eSzZkBbENeOc15cUpob9R8XQcMEwt5kV1DcQI7yh50PLBdHRStnzvte3uF9J7k7Mj4xWoxVAQ2DADa81hvIaNlg2APiOEU3ZDSIrJ6uL8aw7Mad5rYGLXmct5c0EIBUbzf38vdBE4/s1600/Table+for+41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTh0eSzZkBbENeOc15cUpob9R8XQcMEwt5kV1DcQI7yh50PLBdHRStnzvte3uF9J7k7Mj4xWoxVAQ2DADa81hvIaNlg2APiOEU3ZDSIrJ6uL8aw7Mad5rYGLXmct5c0EIBUbzf38vdBE4/s400/Table+for+41.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Table for 4 by Gary Hanaphy of Landscape Studios Ireland</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbynNUREKCh7BrQncSY6iWRkmvts1mWrJpI4FmfYWSeG8iHejf0c3ennOt-cvm8J0NFfi6PoSqhNVCfPaIUfxEocBOU-dTJF-TufcZJTx8St2dGkAw_angKlFmYxEa2A4GwDmbu_4W-E/s1600/Angel's+Fishing+Rods,+Mermaid's+Tears+-+A+Tale+of+the+Sea3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbynNUREKCh7BrQncSY6iWRkmvts1mWrJpI4FmfYWSeG8iHejf0c3ennOt-cvm8J0NFfi6PoSqhNVCfPaIUfxEocBOU-dTJF-TufcZJTx8St2dGkAw_angKlFmYxEa2A4GwDmbu_4W-E/s400/Angel's+Fishing+Rods,+Mermaid's+Tears+-+A+Tale+of+the+Sea3.jpg" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Angel's Fishing Rods, Mermaid's Tears - A Tale of the Sea by 3Design Gardens</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcMB002BamNY-uAAVuw5eFCguCV6AYpbl69lDxai3Q2_EdqCvBVSiJLWhgsVEpGHB84DinlTjHjeu5aNSy89mncbMPG9VAVzW4Al5hPJeu0D8kUHmg20WOfp-fjci7Bnf25AHVaCZ-Ns/s1600/Green+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcMB002BamNY-uAAVuw5eFCguCV6AYpbl69lDxai3Q2_EdqCvBVSiJLWhgsVEpGHB84DinlTjHjeu5aNSy89mncbMPG9VAVzW4Al5hPJeu0D8kUHmg20WOfp-fjci7Bnf25AHVaCZ-Ns/s400/Green+House.jpg" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Green House by Deirdre Prince & Patricia Tyrrell</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmQyIKeI63WyuVJYGqB75wKbGbdpYT2NXycdSWEpWh_GqeW0Bk01CZXkcIGBI9Fuz7lg5TJ3tWo_UR39km1sxGni-qGaybMp3fZQYeeaofppaQcyVHyEeCwAaSJp7I2CXtzucG6c8A5I/s1600/Birds+and+the+Bees3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmQyIKeI63WyuVJYGqB75wKbGbdpYT2NXycdSWEpWh_GqeW0Bk01CZXkcIGBI9Fuz7lg5TJ3tWo_UR39km1sxGni-qGaybMp3fZQYeeaofppaQcyVHyEeCwAaSJp7I2CXtzucG6c8A5I/s400/Birds+and+the+Bees3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Birds and the Bees Garden by Ben Landers</span></td></tr>
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Bloom is such a huge event there are too many gardens for one blog post, but there are lots more photos and lots more great gardens to be found in my flick album below. Click on the slideshow below to see them all.<br />
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You can also find out more about these gardens and the event on the Bloom website <a href="http://bloominthepark.com/" target="_blank">http://bloominthepark.com/</a> or better still, go and have a look for yourself.Stone Art's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17897884929345960641noreply@blogger.com9Nunciature Rd, Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin, Ireland53.363870036015527 -6.330528259277343853.344916536015525 -6.3700102592773433 53.382823536015529 -6.2910462592773442