Thatching at Killee Cottage

Seamus Heaney once described a thatcher working with his hands as..

‘…for pinning down his world, handful by handful. Couchant for days on sods above the rafters,He shaved and flushed the butts, stitched all together, Into a sloped honeycomb, a stubble patch,And left them gaping at his Midas touch’

‘Thatching is not a job. It is a way of life: a thatcher’s life’ says Liam Broderick who has worked as a thatcher in Ireland for the last 25 years. Liam re-thatched the roof at Killee Cottage, Co. Cork.

It is Turkish water reed, rather than straw, which is the preferred material of choice for Liam; it sounds quite exotic but Liam simply places an order and it is delivered directly to the port in Cork. The reed is particularly well suited to the damp Irish climate and is a more durable and water-resistant material than straw. Liam explains that he is so used to his work that he will know exactly how many bundles of reed will be required by simply looking at the scale of the job.

The future for Killee Cottage holds a special and personal resonance for Liam. Having known both Mick and Molly Hennessy, the previous occupiers of the cottage, Liam recalls how in the past he would arrive to work at the cottage and Molly would be straight out to offer breakfast with a boiled egg and toast ready to go. Liam explains how after a homeowner dies and the house is left derelict, the building deteriorates and ‘it will not be long before the roof dies too’.

By thatching the cottage, Liam felt like the lives of Mick and Molly were being honoured and he believes that ‘once you close up a house it loses its spirit and it becomes an empty vessel’. You get the very real sense when talking to Liam, that he sees these houses as having an “aliveness” to them – they breathe, they have a soul, they absorb memories and through his work he helps these houses to live on beyond their original form.

Recently, there has been plenty literary discussion about the merits of carrying out meaningful work practice. The American philosopher Matthew Crawford’s book, The Case for Working With Your Hands: Or Why Office Work is Bad for Us and Fixing Things Feels Good, describes how the skills associated with working a trade hold the key by which to unlock day-to-day satisfaction. Crawford lobbies against a knowledge only based workforce and argues that office work will not suit everyone. Incorporating the weight of great minds such as Aristotle, Marx and Heidegger, Crawford develops his manifesto supported by his own personal experiences as a mechanic and electrician. As Crawford brilliantly proclaims ‘you can’t hammer a nail over the internet’.

In a similar vein, Dr. Cal Newport’s book Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World promotes Deep Work as the ‘ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task … and provide a sense of true fulfillment that comes from craftsmanship’. This book offers practical skills and a training regime on how to turn off the modern-day affliction of distraction (due to heightened technological connection) and to focus on the power of a deep concentrated work.

Liam Broderick’s work as a thatcher wholeheartedly taps into the very ideals that these schools of thought are promoting. Liam describes how he ‘loves going to work’ elaborating on how the work ‘keeps him very grounded, close to nature and surrounded by natural materials. The first few hours of the morning can be a lovely time to work with only birdsong for company. The thatcher’s life is very satisfying’.  Liam outlines how thatching requires ‘an intense focus, an ability for complete engrossment and a very skilled eye to manage the lines. It may sound strange but the job is not as physically demanding as it is mentally exhausting. A thatcher has to be so focused. Thatching can be likened to a game of chess, a series of moves but if you make one mistake everything can go wrong’.

Liam’s personal happiness and contentment with his position certainly support the theories advocating a return to practical work and ensuring a level of deep concentration in the jobs we do. However, it would seem the theories of Deep Work and The Case for Working with your Hands have not yet filtered down to Irish job seekers. Liam points out how there is no new generation of thatcher learning the skills of this craft and that thatching is effectively a dying trade. Liam has contact from employment agencies every year looking to place students on work experience. He points to a generational challenge where the old crafts and historic trades hold little interest for the younger generation. ‘Their interest is not with fixing motorbikes or lawn mowers. Nowadays, people are taught to replace rather than fix’. Liam’s worry is that ‘in as little as ten years thatching will be a trade of the past’.

When Liam is thatching he explains how he has to put his mobile phone away for the hours he works. He was finding it very irritating receiving phone calls and texts, with each interruption creating a negative break in his own work system, coupled by a recuperation period of as much as twenty minutes to rediscover his flow. In a lovely way, Liam’s personal work methodology mirrors Irish Landmark Trust’s philosophy, where a stay in one of our properties is an opportunity to take a break from technology and return to the natural joys of life.

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HOW TO BOOK AN IRISH LANDMARK HOLIDAY : 

It is possible to reserve dates online at www.irishlandmark.com but bookings are not confirmed until a confirmation email is received from the bookings desk.     

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Irish Landmark reserves the right to increase or decrease the price of unsold holidays at any time. However, such amendments to price will not be applied to holidays already confirmed.   

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All prices quoted are based on current prices and rates of V.A.T. at the time of going to press. Irish Landmark is unable to absorb increases in Value Added Tax or any new forms of taxation which may be introduced. Any such increases will be charged as notified and will be payable. 

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All bookings can be paid for in full at time of booking. All bookings made within 12 weeks of stay must be paid in full at time of booking. Bookings made more than 12 weeks in advance of stay require a 30% non-refundable deposit with the balance due 12 weeks before arrival.  Irish Landmark shall be entitled to treat any failure to pay by the due date as a cancellation of the booking and will notify the Hirer by email.  The maximum number of payments for a booking will be limited to two – the deposit and balance payment.   A separate payment may be due where an amendment has been made to the original booking.  

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Payments for properties in the Republic of Ireland are taken in Euros, payments for properties in Northern Ireland are taken in Great British Pounds. 

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Please note that only one voucher can be used per booking.  Vouchers have a strict expiry date. 

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Upon receipt of payment by our bookings office, you will receive a confirmation of your reservation.  All charges for the booking will be confirmed in this notification.  Once confirmation has been issued, the Hirer is responsible for the total advertised price of the property and any extras notified.   

AMENDMENTS TO BOOKINGS (excluding cancellations):    

Irish Landmark does not offer a transfer of dates option. A complete change of dates is treated as a cancellation 

CANCELLATION POLICY: We hope that you will not have to cancel your stay, or part of your reservation.  If for any reason this is unavoidable, cancellations must be notified by email to bookings@irishlandmark.com. In the event of cancellation (this includes a reduction in number of nights) your deposit is non-refundable and the following cancellation charges will apply:  

Date of Cancellation 

Cancellation Charge 

More than 12 weeks before start date 

The deposit of 30% 

84 – 28 days before start date 

50% of total rental 

Fewer than 28 days 

100% of total rental 

Irish Landmark does not operate a cancellation insurance scheme for any reason, including Covid-19, and strongly recommends that all guests take out full holiday insurance cover.    

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Upon receipt of final payment, you will receive Access Details and Important Information via email about your rental. This includes the contact information of the Local House Manager, directions to the property, arrival and departure time, etc. However, the specific arrival time must be agreed with the relevant local House Manager at least four days prior to holiday start date.  It is the responsibility of the Hirer to arrive at the property at the time agreed with the House Manager. Irish Landmark reserves the right to levy an additional charge if the property is not vacated in accordance with these terms on the day of departure.  

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The number of day visitors will be limited to the capacity of the property – i.e., a 2-person property may have 2 day visitors, etc.   Prior written consent must be obtained from Irish Landmark Trust for additional numbers of day visitors. 

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POLICY REGARDING DOGS:   

Only certain Irish Landmark Trust properties accept a dog.  ALWAYS check this before you book.  Hirers who have made a reservation and are taking a dog will be required to read and agree to special terms, which details the conditions of bringing a dog to one of these properties.  Failure to comply with these conditions could result in the guest being asked to leave a property.  The rental cost is non-refundable in such cases.   

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: 

Irish Landmark respectfully request that you charge your electric vehicle at the nearest charging point and not at the property.  

HIRER’S RESPONSIBILITY:   

The Hirer is responsible for the property and is expected to take all reasonable care of it. Our House Managers work hard to maintain and clean the buildings and aim to ensure that the property is in a satisfactory condition for your enjoyment.  We ask that you leave the property in a clean and tidy condition upon departure, including all equipment, utensils etc. If the property is left in an unsatisfactory condition and additional cleaning costs are incurred, Irish Landmark reserves the right to recover these costs from the Hirer.   All breakages and damage must be reported to the House Manager immediately so that they can be rectified. All breakages and damage are the legal responsibility of the Hirer and the cost of repair or replacement must be paid to Irish Landmark upon demand.   If there are problems relating to the functioning of the building, please let the House Manager know immediately. Please note that candles are NOT permitted at any Irish Landmark property. Smoking is not allowed inside any Irish Landmark property. 

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While every effort has been made to ensure that the representations stated on our website, or any printed literature, are made in good faith, neither they nor any oral representations made by employees or representatives of Irish Landmark Trust will create liability on the part of Irish Landmark. 

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There shall be no liability for any claim arising from the act, omission or neglect or default of Irish Landmark Trust, its employees or representatives unless proved to be done with intent to cause damage or recklessly and with knowledge that loss or danger would probably result. Irish Landmark’s agents, servants and employees or other representatives have no authority to waive or modify these Conditions other than in writing. 

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On rare occasions Irish Landmark may need access to the property for essential maintenance work, should it be necessary, Irish Landmark will give you as much notice as is possible.   There is no need for you to stay in the property since our House Manager can accompany any such visits. 

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If you have any complaint during your holiday, please contact the House Manager.  If the matter is not dealt with to your satisfaction, please email bookings@irishlandmark.com outlining details of your complaint.   

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Irish Landmark reserves the right to refuse any booking and cancel any booking already made, if in its absolute discretion it considers this to be necessary. Where a booking is cancelled by Irish Landmark, every effort will be made to offer an alternative holiday at no increase in cost.  If the Hirer does not accept the alternative holiday offered, Irish Landmark will return to the Hirer the deposit paid and any other sum paid to Irish Landmark by the Hirer.  Liability for all consequential loss, damage and disappointments is accordingly limited to such return. 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR SPECIFIC DOG – FRIENDLY PROPERTIES 

It is the hirer’s responsibility to ensure they book a specific dog-friendly property if they are bringing a dog.  There are specific terms and conditions that to which the hirer must adhere: 

We allow a dog, but only when they have been booked in and paid for. The “Taking a Dog” option must be selected at time of booking.  A charge will apply.  

Our policy is strictly ONE DOG. If you arrive at the property with more than one dog the House Manger is entitled to deny you access to the property.  If it becomes known during/after your stay that more than one dog is/was with you, you may be asked to vacate the property and a charge of €100/£100 per dog will apply. 

You must bring your own crate/bed in which your dog can sleep.  Please also bring bowls, towels, and waste bags for your dog. 

Your dog must be house-trained and kept under proper control.  Dogs are STRICTLY not permitted on beds, sofas, or any furniture.  There is no exception to this rule.  

Before departure, please thoroughly clean the property, paying particular attention to removing pet hair from rugs and soft furnishings.  A vacuum cleaner is available to you.   

If there is evidence that you have not cleaned up adequately after your stay, you will be charged a flat rate of €100/£100.   

You must double-check that the outside area around the property is free of any foul. Dog fouling inside the property is completely unacceptable.  Guests will be asked to vacate the premises immediately if this is discovered.  

Your dog must not be left unsupervised in the property.  We ask that you take your dog with you when you go out.  Please be mindful of any livestock nearby. 

 

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I have read and agree to be bound by the Booking Conditions. 

I agree to be held responsible for the balance of hire for the property due and payable in accordance with these terms. 

I understand that most Irish Landmark properties have no television or internet access; that some have no washing machines or dishwashers; and that many have limited mobile phone coverage. 

I understand that as the Lead Person, I am responsible, before their arrival, for informing all guests of Irish Landmark’s booking conditions, and for their observance of same. 

If I am bringing a pet or having day visitors, I have particularly noted the special conditions that apply in these situations 

 

Hirers making a reservation over the telephone are deemed to have read all Booking Conditions and agree to be bound by them.   

 

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Important Notes

1-night stays are not permitted.

Bank Holidays & Special Dates have a set minimum number of nights.

Deposits are strictly non-refundable & non-transferable.

Cancellation Fees will apply if you cancel your reservation.

Terms and Conditions apply to all bookings.

Special Offers and Discounts are not valid against existing bookings.

There are restrictions on arrival and departure dates over the Christmas and New Year periods.
Strictly no arrivals or departures on 24th, 25th and 31st of December.