Traditional stool making with Dylan McGuirk
May 17 - May 18
Over two days, workshop participants will make a traditional 3 or 4 legged creepie stool using traditional chair making techniques and traditional hand tools.
Starting with just a log and using only hand tools you will craft your very own beautiful traditional stool from some lovely locally sourced Ash wood. This is a great introductory course for anyone looking to learn traditional carpentry/woodwork or chair-making. Both for the complete beginner or the more experienced woodworker this will be a great workshop for you.
Some of topics covered on this course will be wood selection, traditional tool use and care. Splitting down and processing logs into parts for chair-making. Using a shave horse to shape stool parts. Wedged mortice and tenon joinery. We will do a small bit on tool sharpening, wood drying and finishing. Also as part of this workshop and if time permits we will do a walk and talk around the amazing vernacular furniture collection in the museum at Johnstown Castle.
This course will be run by Dylan McGuirk. Dylan has been working with wood for well over 20 years. As a qualified carpenter/joiner he has worked in house carpentry, boat building, church carpentry and vernacular building conservation work. Since 2008 he has specialised in traditional woodwork and other traditional skills like basket-making and blacksmithing. He has also taught and demonstrated all over the country and for the last couple of years has been working in conservation.
Refreshments
Tea/coffee and lunch will be provided.
What to Bring
Please wear suitable clothing for some physical work and a strong pair of boots (steel toe if you have them). We will be both inside and outside under a tarp so be prepared for cold weather. It is recommended to bring your own workshop gloves and safety glasses.
Ticket & Booking Information
Subsidised tickets are priced at €140 for the weekend but places are limited and will be allocated on a first come-first served basis.
Concession tickets are priced at €120 for apprentices and students over 18 – for these tickets please email events@johnstowncastle.ie
The workshop is supported by the National Built Heritage Service https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/