Description

A celebration of Irish thatch.

The picturesque, white-washed thatched cottage is an iconic emblem of Ireland.

The tradition reaches back in history to the ancient crannog and one-roomed labourers’ cottages. Beautiful examples of this still-living craft can be found all over the island, from bustling urban centres and quiet country roads to the wild coasts of the west.

Since moving into a thatched cottage several years ago, Emma Byrne has become fascinated by thatched houses and the craft behind them. Armed with a camera, a notebook, and a Sat Nav, she took to the roads, travelling the length and breadth of this island to capture the variety and beauty of Ireland’s thatch.

Publisher Review

stunning -- Wexford People wonderful -- The Daire Nelson Show, LMFM a nice Xmas present -- Master Thatchers Ltd a charming book to inspire gentle adventure ... Emma brings you through the history & craft of Irish thatched cottages ... a charming pictorial tour of these traditional beauties throughout Ireland -- vibrantireland.com wonderfully-produced -- Longford Leader's beautiful -- Connaught Telegraph gorgeous ... just in time for Christmas ... beautiful -- East Coast FM's Morning Show a most beautiful book ... an absolutely stunning book ... an ideal Christmas present ... buy it early enough and you could ship it to those around the world -- Galway Bay FM's Keith Finnegan Show handsome ... lavishly illustrated ... a book written from the hearth -- Irish Times, Property Section the only All-Ireland self-builder's and home improver's magazine -- SelfBuild & Improve Your Home Magazine multi award winning graphic designer and artist Emma Byrne has a flair for the beautiful. The Co. Wexford native brings her passion for colour, design and tradition together with this warm and wonderful coffee-table tome. Alongside simple and stunning photographs of Irish homes - past and present - tidbits of trivial text recount the history and heritage of both the structures and the area in which they sit. What becomes clear is that Ireland has done well to preserve its past, as evidenced by the growing number of visitors who come to the Emerald Isle each year in search of authentic experience. More than an architectural exercise, Irish Thatch is a series of snapshots into the country's rich traditions, and the people who lived them * Celtic Life International * wonderful tribute to the old art of thatching * Tintean *