Mannion's Cottage, Menlough

Mannion's Cottage, Menlough See the origin post here :

https://www.facebook.com/mannionscottage/posts/pfbid029UsjGhM8KWJ9DezXRuuWHbXfsGoRQiYVEQdgoBaX9fLnVyMxmbFYRWg7bEPsHjRrl

Mannion's Cottage is a long term restoration and conservation project to bring back to life a 200 + year old traditional Irish thatched cottage

This project will see life once again being enjoyed around the open fire under a thatched roof

Been a while posting for various reasons But a chance today to take pictures of the front There's been lots of changes i...
06/05/2026

Been a while posting for various reasons

But a chance today to take pictures of the front

There's been lots of changes in the past few years

Many thanks to all who helped make it possible

Lots of stops and starts since last postedMore updates soon But there's much improvement Just need to keep focus on the ...
05/02/2023

Lots of stops and starts since last posted

More updates soon

But there's much improvement

Just need to keep focus on the 'light at the end of the tunnel' and the lovely light that now is coming into the cottage this Spring afternoon

It's a long term project so keeping that in mind

Getting it to this stage with lots of great help

And looking forward to moving to next level

Another lovely findLooks like an old iron that would be heated in the open fire It certainly has been near heat Found in...
29/08/2022

Another lovely find

Looks like an old iron that would be heated in the open fire

It certainly has been near heat

Found in fireplace wall

At first I thought it was a stone but then saw it had a mark imprinted on it

A treasure uncovered Spoon hidden deep down within original wall Will have to see what it reveals when cleaned upAnother...
23/08/2022

A treasure uncovered

Spoon hidden deep down within original wall

Will have to see what it reveals when cleaned up

Another piece of the house's original stories to be revealed

What can be savedAnd what is beyond repairThat's a huge dilemnaThe back of fireplace wall is not in good condition Hopin...
23/08/2022

What can be saved

And what is beyond repair

That's a huge dilemna

The back of fireplace wall is not in good condition

Hoping to salvage it but the fireplace had been redone in past with concrete leading to the walls behind becoming unstable

The mud is crumbling resulting in the wall being in a very poor state

Sometimes improvements can have long term detrimental results

Am hoping to be as careful as possible in keeping the character

Knockroe is due west of the village of Derrylissane on its summit is a holy well dedicated to St Bernard of Clairvaux, f...
20/08/2022

Knockroe is due west of the village of Derrylissane

on its summit is a holy well dedicated to St Bernard of Clairvaux, founder of the Cistercian order. In 1190 his monks at the invitation of King Cathal O'Connor built a monastery nearby.

Each August Mass is celebrated there and this evening's proved to be a lovely occasion with glorious weather after a very wet day

occasions like these would be celebrated by Bryan Mannion and his family for several generations as they went on pilgrimage there

As they took in the amazing views over the east Galway plains and looked west over towards the Corrib and Croagh Patrick among many stunning vistas I am sure that they would have been reminded of the generations before whose feet trod the same path

Lovely to see this evening the traditions given new life

Ring beam waiting to dry and set External wall will be stone faced with the traditional lime render applied in time Next...
19/08/2022

Ring beam waiting to dry and set

External wall will be stone faced with the traditional lime render applied in time

Next steps will be raising wall slightly to ensure height within roof space

Taking shape

Days like thisUp early in the morning getting water from the trough to give a drink to the animals Heading to the bog to...
19/08/2022

Days like this

Up early in the morning getting water from the trough to give a drink to the animals

Heading to the bog to check on the turf

Later on, time to rest against the c**k of hay

For many 1st generation Irish in England the return 'home' for a fortnight or 3 weeks in the summer was to be immersed in their parent's childhood tasks

Growing up in London, Birmingham, Lancashire or other places in England their daily lives in an urban environment couldn't have been more in contrast to their parent's native home

How times have changed

Always good to hear the English accents in the summer, coming 'home' and reconnecting with their family and roots

Pics from Mannion Cottage Collection

Willie Ruane, the last occupier of the cottage, was renowned in the area for keeping the thatch perfect in his home Love...
19/08/2022

Willie Ruane, the last occupier of the cottage, was renowned in the area for keeping the thatch perfect in his home

Lovely to discover in the shed the thatching fork which he no doubt used And likely it was used for a few generations before

In time it will return to its workplace a bit more polished to enjoy retirement under a restored thatched roof

On a lighter note Love these ceramics, waiting for their chance to shine again Put away with care so many years backLike...
19/08/2022

On a lighter note Love these ceramics, waiting for their chance to shine again

Put away with care so many years back

Likely as they were lovely memories of former times when they would have brightened the cottage

And memories of the person whose eye was caught, and purse was opened as they saw the fun and colour of this pair

Will be a cherished part of the renovation

Eventually I hope to restore the thatch In meantime thoughts on the roof This lovely cottage outside Caltra has been som...
18/08/2022

Eventually I hope to restore the thatch

In meantime thoughts on the roof

This lovely cottage outside Caltra has been something I have enjoyed over the years

And now providing a bit of a template for ideas on the roofing

Hopefully will be possible soon

Address

Derrylissane
Menlough

Website

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