A two-day workshop on the timeless craft of traditional stone walling on 27th and 28th March 2027, in Cashelgarren, Co Sligo

Discover the timeless craft of traditional dry stone walling and gain the practical skills and confidence to repair existing walls or construct new ones using time-honoured techniques.

Course Overview

Join us for an immersive two-day practical workshop and discover the traditional craft of dry stone walling in one of Ireland's most spectacular landscapes. This ancient craft is now recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.

Whether you're a farmer, landowner, homeowner, conservation volunteer or simply someone with an interest in traditional rural skills, this hands-on course will teach you the principles and techniques of constructing, repairing and maintaining dry stone walls using traditional methods.

Working alongside an experienced instructor, participants will gain practical experience rebuilding an existing dry stone wall while learning techniques that have been passed down through generations.

No previous experience is required.

Course starts at 9.30 am on both days and finishes at 4.30pm.

Why Learn Dry Stone Walling?

Dry stone walls are one of the defining features of Ireland's rural landscape. Built without mortar, they have stood for centuries, providing durable field boundaries while enhancing the beauty, biodiversity and heritage of the countryside.

Learning this traditional skill allows you to:

Repair damaged dry stone walls on your own property.

Build new walls using traditional techniques.

Preserve an important element of Ireland's built heritage.

Improve wildlife habitats and landscape character.

Develop a rewarding practical skill that can last a lifetime.

What's Included?

Your course fee includes:

Two full days of expert practical tuition

Hands-on experience rebuilding a traditional dry stone wall on a farm

Lunch and refreshments on both days

Location

Cashelgarren, Co Sligo F91EK76

What Should I Bring?

Please wear suitable outdoor clothing, as the course will proceed in most weather conditions.

We recommend bringing:

Safety Boots

Waterproof jacket and trousers

Warm layers

Durable work clothing

Work gloves (optional)

Refillable water bottle

Sun protection, if required

Important Information

This is an outdoor practical course.

Participants should be comfortable undertaking manual work.

Places are strictly limited to ensure plenty of individual instruction.

Early booking is strongly recommended.

About Your Instructor - Ronan Crehan

Rónán Crehan is a Brick/Stone layer by trade and originally from Co.Meath. Rónán completed his apprenticeship in Brick/stonelaying in 1994, working on many building site's in Dublin.

Rónán then moved to Donegal in 2002 and over the course of that time, has worked as a stonemason contractor and also a drystone walling instructor with the ETB, until he joined the Heritage Services in the Office of Public works in 2018. Rónán works on the maintenance of the National monuments of Ireland.

Rónán also runs Drystone Walling workshops on farmer's land around Ireland, teaching and demonstrating the different techniques on the different wall types around the country, giving people access to their living heritage, of drystone walling.

Exclusive to IFA Countryside Members

Access to IFA Countryside training courses is an exclusive benefit of membership. Our Countryside Skills Programme has been developed to provide members with practical, high-quality training in traditional rural skills, conservation and countryside activities.

If you're not already a member, joining is quick and easy. Membership gives you access to a growing programme of subsidised courses, along with a range of additional benefits (https://ifacountryside.ie/membership/).

How to Join

You can become an IFA Countryside member online in just a few minutes by visiting https://ifacountryside.ie/membership/#quote (https://ifacountryside.ie/membership/#quote) or by calling 0818 924 982, where our team will be happy to assist you.

There is a reduced membership option when you are purchasing a course, please talk to the IFA Countryside team on this.

Once your membership is confirmed, you'll be eligible to book this course and enjoy all the benefits of IFA Countryside membership.

Description supplied by the event organiser.