In this episode, we spoke with stonemasons Killian and Petra O'Flaherty. We unfortunately had some issues with the recording, so instead please listen to a summary of our chats; we hope to have them on again in the future.

In this episode, we talk to recent graduate Hannah Glass about her time on the All Ireland Heritage Skills Programme.

In this episode, we talk to Irish folklorist Michael Fortune, and designer of the annual Irish Dresser and Folklore Calendar.

In this episode we talk to Bernie Henry of the Clara Heritage Society.

In this episode we talk to Primrose Wilson, trustee and founding Chairman of the Follies Trust. The Follies Trust aims to encourage the appreciation and conservation of Irish follies, to promote traditional construction and building skills, and to encourage knowledge and appreciation of Ireland’s artistic and cultural heritage.

In this episode we continue our conversation with Bob Clark, director and curator of the unique Township of Auchindrain in Scotland. We delve into the history of the site and its evolution through the centuries up to modern days. We then look at what can be done to preserve and transmit its memory to future generations This conversation with Bob ended up being a bit longer than our usual episode, so we've decided to split the conversation into two parts.

In this episode we talk to Bob Clark, director and curator of the unique Township of Auchindrain in Scotland. We delve into the history of the site and its evolution through the centuries up to modern days. We then look at what can be done to preserve and transmit its memory to future generations This conversation with Bob ended up being a bit longer than our usual episode, so we've decided to split the conversation into two parts.

We talk to County Galway Community Archaeologist Bernie Doherty, Artist Shem Caulfield and retired Community Archaeologist Christy Cunniffe about their involvement in the the Galway Forged Gate Project, particularly getting into details about the artistic flourishes of vernacular blacksmiths, iron crosses and iconography as well as touching on the history of metalworking and smelting in Ireland.

We talk to County Galway Heritage Officer Marie Mannion and Emma Laffey of Skehana & District Heritage Group about the Galway Forged Gates Project, a wonderful project that skillfully reveals the connection between our tangible physical heritage and the intangible traditions, skills, stories and local histories they possess. We learn about the importance of recording our heritage (tangible and intangible) before it is lost and how a packet of biccies can go a long way when talking to our older generations to record their local knowledge.

We talk to Rachel McKenna, the architectural Conservation Officer for Co. Offaly about her book “Traditional Architecture in Offaly” and get a wonderful insight into the vernacular traditions of the county and the outcome of many years of research, work and conversations with owners. We learn about the importance of recording memories and traditions, and the involvement of the County Council in the process.

In today's episode we talk to John Plunkett, the eldest son of the Plunkett family who has taken an interest in restoring the family farm, Rory Galligan, director of Rock Road Stone Company in Moynalty, Co. Meath and Fergal McGirl, a Conservation architect based in Dublin, with almost 30 years of experience. We chat to them about how together they carried out a project to restore the Plunkett cobbled farmyard in Co.Meath. We learn about the importance of proper on-site research when carrying out a restoration project and the untold value of regular maintenance of vernacular buildings along with maintaining the traditional use of vernacular farm buildings and structures. If you have a question or would like to give us feedback, or ideas about future guests or topics, we’d love to hear from you so please give us a review and leave a comment wherever you get your podcasts, or get in touch by emailing us at spabireland@gmail.com For more information on SPAB Ireland: www.spab.org.uk/about-us/spab-ireland To follow us on social media: www.instagram.com/spabireland www.twitter.com/spabireland www.facebook.com/spabireland Hosted by Róisín Beirne and Livia Artibani Edited by Graeme Baldwin Reviewed by Tríona Byrne, Shona O’Keefe, Gissella Renolfi & Róisín Beirne.  Artwork by Róisín Beirne and Gissella Renolfi. Theme music by Cillian Byrne. Generously supported by the Heritage Council under their Heritage Capacity Fund 2023.

In this episode talk to carpenter Toby Slater about his time as an SPAB Millwright Fellow in 2022 and learn about the challenges and solutions he works through in the conservation of historic timberwork. If you have a question or would like to give us feedback, or ideas about future guests or topics, we’d love to hear from you so please give us a review and leave a comment wherever you get your podcasts, or get in touch by emailing us at spabireland@gmail.com For more information on SPAB Ireland: www.spab.org.uk/about-us/spab-ireland To follow us on social media: www.instagram.com/spabireland www.twitter.com/spabireland www.facebook.com/spabireland Hosted by Róisín Beirne and Livia Artibani Edited by Graeme Baldwin Reviewed by Tríona Byrne, Shona O’Keefe, Gissella Renolfi & Róisín Beirne. Artwork by Róisín Beirne and Gissella Renolfi. Theme music by Cillian Byrne. Generously supported by the Heritage Council under their Heritage Capacity Fund 2023.

In this episode we talk to Tom Little, stone worker and letter carver who also designs and rungs the Stone Cutting and Stone Masonry Apprenticeship programme at the Kerry College of Further Education and Training. He tells us about the decline and evolution of Irish stone working from the 1960’s to now, where he’s seeing the beginning of a new ‘stone renaissance’ as the craft is better appreciated, in higher demand and is taken up by new generations of passionate and creative workers. Tom would like to acknowledge the vital role SOLAS and the Office of Public Works have played in making the Stonecutting & Stonemasonry Apprenticeship program a reality. In particular, the OPW's continued support of the program has helped ensure the future of this timeless craft for future generations. If you're interested in learning more about a future in stoneworking check out the apprenticeship programmes run by Kerry College of Further Education and the OPW shared in our shownotes. If you have a question or would like to give us feedback, or ideas about future guests or topics, we’d love to hear from you so please give us a review and leave a comment wherever you get your podcasts, or get in touch by emailing us at spabireland@gmail.com For more information on SPAB Ireland: www.spab.org.uk/about-us/spab-ireland To follow us on social media: www.instagram.com/spabireland www.twitter.com/spabireland www.facebook.com/spabireland Hosted by Róisín Beirne and Livia Artibani Edited by Graeme Baldwin Reviewed by Tríona Byrne, Shona O’Keefe, Gissella Renolfi & Róisín Beirne. Artwork by Róisín Beirne and Gissella Renolfi. Theme music by Cillian Byrne. Generously supported by the Heritage Council under their Heritage Capacity Fund 2023.

In this episode we talk to Jimmy Lenehan, a Kilkenny based thatcher working in reed and straw since 1993, about some of the archaeology and traditions of thatched roofs in Ireland, the historical context, longevity and value of different thatching materials as well as getting into some discussions about growing and harvesting quality thatching supplies here in Ireland. If you have a question or would like to give us feedback, or ideas about future guests or topics, we’d love to hear from you so please give us a review and leave a comment wherever you get your podcasts, or get in touch by emailing us at spabireland@gmail.com For more information on SPAB Ireland: www.spab.org.uk/about-us/spab-ireland To follow us on social media: www.instagram.com/spabireland www.twitter.com/spabireland www.facebook.com/spabireland Hosted by Róisín Beirne and Livia Artibani Edited by Graeme Baldwin Reviewed by Tríona Byrne, Shona O’Keefe, Gissella Renolfi & Róisín Beirne. Artwork by Róisín Beirne and Gissella Renolfi. Theme music by Cillian Byrne. Generously supported by the Heritage Council under their Heritage Capacity Fund 2023.

We talk to Marianne Suhr, conservation building surveyor and co-author of the 'Old House Eco Handbook' to get some advice about sensitive interventions for contemporary living in traditional buildings that still retain the character of your old building. We get into dew points, insulating plasters, underfloor heating, secondary glazing, appropriate insulation and some of the ‘quick wins’ that can be carried out on traditional buildings. 

In today’s episode we chat to Moses Jenkins, the Senior Technical Officer at Historic Environment Scotland. We chat about some of the key considerations needed when planning to ‘retrofit’ a traditional building as well as the appropriateness and success of different materials and products in traditional buildings. If you have a question or would like to give us feedback, or ideas about future guests or topics, we’d love to hear from you so please give us a review and leave a comment wherever you get your podcasts, or get in touch by emailing us at spabireland@gmail.com For more information on SPAB Ireland: www.spab.org.uk/about-us/spab-ireland To follow us on social media: www.instagram.com/spabireland www.twitter.com/spabireland www.facebook.com/spabireland Hosted by Róisín Beirne and Livia Artibani Edited by Graeme Baldwin Reviewed by Tríona Byrne, Shona O’Keefe, Gissella Renolfi & Róisín Beirne. Artwork by Róisín Beirne. Theme music by Cillian Byrne. Generously supported by the Heritage Council under their Heritage Capacity Fund 2023.

We are excited to launch Season 3 of 'Heart to Hearth: Chats about Irish vernacular buildings'. In this trailer we give you a little introduction to this years hosts, SPAB Ireland Committee Members, Róisin Beirne and Livia Artibani as well as letting you know the topics that this years series will cover. Episode 01 of this 10 part podcast series will be available on Monday 14th August with a new episode released weekly until mid-October, available wherever you get your Podcasts!

In this episode, we chat with three of the 2022 SPAB Scholars and Fellows, Sinéad Scullion, Serena Gildea and David McFerran. Sinead is an architect from Dublin, Serena is an engineer from Donegal, and David is a joiner from Down. In today’s episode, we chatted about their experiences and travels in the UK and Ireland as part of the Scholarship and Fellowship programmes, as well as some vernacular highlights. Hosted by Tríona Byrne. Edited by Deirdre Keeley. Artwork by Róisín Beirne. Theme music by Cillian Byrne. Generously supported by the Heritage Council as part of their Heritage Capacity Fund 2022. If you have a question or feedback on the series, we’d love to hear from you so please get in touch by emailing us at spabireland@gmail.com. For more information on SPAB Ireland visit www.spab.org.uk/about-us/spab-ireland. You can follow our social media @SPABIreland on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/spabireland, Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/spabireland and Twitter - https://twitter.com/SPABIreland and you can also check our website https://www.spab.org.uk/members/regional-groups/spab-ireland. Subscribe, enjoy and please leave a review! SPAB Scholarship https://www.spab.org.uk/learning/scholarship SPAB Fellowship https://www.spab.org.uk/learning/fellowship Blog post about the SPAB Scholars and Fellows’ visit to Ireland https://www.spab.org.uk/news/spab-scholars-ireland-close-home-long-road-ahead All island MOU on vernacular heritage https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/69870-all-island-commitment-to-irelands-vernacular-heritage-established-at-signing-of-north-south-agreement-on-vernacular-heritage Scutcher’s Cottage, Donegal https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/newmills-corn-and-flax-mills/ Short interview with Alex Gibbons, former SPAB Fellow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhbztVz6cMU

In this episode, we chat with Shirley Clerkin. Shirley is the heritage officer for County Monaghan In today’s chat, we talked about what Shirley's job as heritage officer involves, the beautiful built and natural heritage of Monaghan, and the unnecessary demolition of our built heritage. Hosted by Tríona Byrne. Edited by Deirdre Keeley. Artwork by Róisín Beirne. Theme music by Cillian Byrne. Generously supported by the Heritage Council as part of their Heritage Capacity Fund 2022. If you have a question or feedback on the series, we’d love to hear from you so please get in touch by emailing us at spabireland@gmail.com. For more information on SPAB Ireland visit www.spab.org.uk/about-us/spab-ireland. You can follow our social media @SPABIreland on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/spabireland, Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/spabireland and Twitter - https://twitter.com/SPABIreland and you can also check our website https://www.spab.org.uk/members/regional-groups/spab-ireland. Subscribe, enjoy and please leave a review! Shirley's email address: heritage@monaghancoco.ie https://monaghan.ie/heritage/

In this episode, we chat with Edel Barry. Edel is an archaeologist based in County Clare, working for a built heritage collective. In today’s chat, we covered Edel's work with the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, her experiences of encountering resistance to conservation of old buildings, and how to address this resistance. Hosted by Tríona Byrne. Edited by Deirdre Keeley. Artwork by Róisín Beirne. Theme music by Cillian Byrne. Generously supported by the Heritage Council as part of their Heritage Capacity Fund 2022. If you have a question or feedback on the series, we’d love to hear from you so please get in touch by emailing us at spabireland@gmail.com. For more information on SPAB Ireland visit www.spab.org.uk/about-us/spab-ireland. You can follow our social media @SPABIreland on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/spabireland, Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/spabireland and Twitter - https://twitter.com/SPABIreland and you can also check our website https://www.spab.org.uk/members/regional-groups/spab-ireland. Subscribe, enjoy and please leave a review! NIAH website: https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/ Edel’s email: edel.barry@gmail.com