Brigid’s celebration to spark revival of thatched cottage
After 40 years sitting derelict, the hearth fire of a beautifully restored cottage in Drumlane will glow once again at a special St Brigid’s event this Saturday, February 2.
“I have great memories of visiting Bridgie Burns who lived in that thatched cottage all her life and her brother Paddy. Even as a young child I always remembered being so welcome, and the sense of peace you got from by being in the cottage and Bridgie’s hospitality,” recalls Gearoid Teevan. “I wanted to restore it because of those cherished memories I had as a child. It was a great way to keep those memories alive.”
He clearly cherishes the restoration project as much as the memories, although it was a considerable investment in time. The cottage is located next to Gearoid’s home at his Drumanny farm, the picturesque setting for the Healing Spirit Festival. They intend to use it as a welcoming venue for events.
He was eager to have the restored building as authentic as possible to how people would have lived in it.
A thatcher from Dublin pitched up a caravan on-site for the duration of the six weeks to complete the roof using straw from County Meath.
Noel Carney from Rockorry is an expert on traditional construction methods, and was Gearoid’s go-to for advice. The Drumlane man learned much during the course of the restoration, for example: “The sod which is underneath the thatch is a key part of that structure. The sod was put on with laths and tied with horsehair dipped in bees’ wax in order to preserve it - that would act as a draft barrier, and insulator and would also make it fire proof. If a fire happened inside the building, it would prevent it getting through to the thatch on the outside.”
The walls also provided a pleasant surprise.
“When I removed the lime plaster it exposed the stone, and I loved the way the stone was built, and the colours they used. They must have had an abundance of sandstone in the area. It was so well built I thought, I’d love to leave it exposed.”
Specialist company McCabes carried out sandblasting and repointing to great effect.
“Some people have asked, ‘Is that newly built?’ That’s original,” assures Gearoid. A good family friend, the late Aodh Dolan, who was originally from the area but who moved to California took a keen interest in the project. He had a sliver of attic timber analysed, which revealed the structure dates from the 1700s.
“It just adds a bit more to the story of the cottage,” says Gearoid.
Gearoid and his wife Lorraine are eager to thank everyone who helped bring the restoration to completion, “especially our dear friend Aodh Dolan, who passed away last year. We particularly want to remember him.”
For Gearoid, the hearth is the heart of the home.
“The fire was the most important part of the home - fire provided the warmth for cooking, meals and company.
“The fire is symbolic - it’s alive, it’s present and it’s giving back to you all of the time. It provides so much for you. That’s why I wanted to entitle the weekend Reigniting the Flame.”
Given it’s known as Bridgie’s Cottage, it seemed fitting to host the celebration on St Brigid’s weekend and the Celtic festival of Imbolc that marks the beginning of Spring.
It will include ritual, song, dance and shared stories, and as Gearoid says, “It will be a joyful weekend”.
Reigniting the Flame runs on Saturday, February 2 from 12-6pm.
Tickets available from www.healingspiritfestival.com costing €25 for adults; children under 16 free. They assure that they are a not-for profit group and all proceeds are reinvested into Drumanny Spirit.