more pictures of the creative destruction...

This is how its supposed to look - at some stage in the future

Some images during construction - it is a hard long slog when you're using 150 year old slates. They all need to be taken down, graded, re cut and re drilled, before they can be used again....

This is how it used to look

This is how it used to look

This is how it used to look....

refurbishing an old schoolhouse.

This is a dairy of how I'm putting together a 150 year old schoolhouse. I bought it from my dad a year ago. Its in Craughwell, in County Galway, Ireland.

The schoolhouse was built in 1850, and was one of the only buildings in the local area. The area is called Ganty, or in Irish, gan ti, which means "without houses"

The house was bought in the 60's by my dad for approx 300 Irish pounds. My dad, and all of his brothers and sisters went to school here, and there are many records of students passing through, from 1850 until the 1960's.

the house is being restored using traditional methods, with stone masons, as well as with traditional slate. However, the new section will be created using modern materials such as triple glazing, insulation, underfloor heating, and other modern materials. I will be restoring the house to its former glory, as well as adding a modern extension.

I have been using traditional craftsmen to help restore the stone walls, as well as the slate roof.