Mud Matters Workshop - Hastings Farmhouse

Hastings Farmhouse is located between Shannon Crematorium and Illaunamanagh Cemetery and parking for the event is in the car park at the entrance to the access road to the cemetery.

From excavation and selection to finishing there will be an opportunity to experience the traditional lost art of a technique which is not only simple, involving family and community participation, but is also essentially free of charge and has no environmental impact. This will be of interest to conservation professionals, building owners, administrators, homeowners and those proposing self-build environmental building projects. This course will so be interesting to those who know nothing about mud and lime and who would like to embark on an adventure of discovery.

COURSE TUTORS

• Eoin Madigan is a 6th generation mason and specialist in mud construction, Director of Madigan Historic Masonry, Eoin will introduce course participants to the selection, composition and building techniques of mud. Using Adobe Bricks, Rammed Earth and mud mortars the course will involve active participation in conservation, restoration and new build in mud.
• Damien Condon director of Calx Renders will join Eoin and will lead the discussion on lime rendering using hot lime (quick lime). The dry slaking method will be used for mixing with mud or sand for the repair and rendering of mud structures but will also be of use to those interested in repairing and conserving stone buildings. A fifth-generation plasterer, Damien demonstrates that the use of these techniques is highly practical and commercial and shows the art of adding Pozzolans to strengthen the mix as an alternative to more expensive imported hydraulic limes.
• Chris Southgate director of Southgate Associates, a conservation engineer with 34 years’ experience discusses the nature and properties of mud as a construction material and opens the idea of mud as a viable building material. He discusses approaches in overcoming building regulations and ensuring structural stability as well as respecting the traditional and practical ways of using skilled crafts people.
• Colm Murray Architect and expert in conservation, with many years’ experiences within the Heritage Council, talks about the planning and statutory processes as well as giving an overview of the sustainability arguments towards building in traditional materials. He also offers some oversight of the geology of Ireland and where to source suitable material.
• John O’ Brien and Olive Carey from Dúchas na Sionna provide a brief historical background of the farmhouse and the story of the project to date.

Please bring safety shoes High Vis jacket and raingear. Protective goggles and gloves will be provided. Accommodation You will need to organise accommodation and evening meal which are not included in the course fee.

FEE

The cost of the two-day course is €300 payable seven days prior to the commencement of the course. Bank details and application form are at the end of this document. Please ensure to include your name in the reference section of the bank transfer.

PROGRAMME COURSE 1

Monday 30th September

• 10 am Registration and meeting, coffee
• 10.30 Historical background and the purpose of Dúchas na Sionna. Olive Carey
• 11.00 am An introduction to building in mud in 2024 - Regulations and approvals and technical considerations. Chris Southgate
• 11.45 Coffee
• 12.00 am Practical Session 1, Eoin Madigan Selection of the material Garage laboratory analysis, silt sand and gravel, modifying mud by adding quicklime mortar and other aggregates.
• 12.30 pm Discussion and review A chance for participants to introduce their projects
• 1.00pm Lunch is provided
• 2.00 pm Planning the building and sustainability in 2024 Colm Murray
• 2.30 pm Geology and Irish Mud Colm Murray
• 3.00pm, Practical Session 2, Erecting formwork and mud building session 1 Damien Condon and Eoin Madigan. Tea and coffee available
• 4.45 Questions and answers and review

Tuesday 1st October

• 9.00 am Practical Session 3, Building efficiently in mud. Planning the work and formwork and compacting and building a mud building. Eoin Madigan with Damien Condon
• 11.15 Coffee
• 1.00 pm Lunch provided
• 2.00 pm Practical Session 4, Protection and curing and finishing with Hot lime practical workshop with Damien Condon and Eoin Madigan
• 4.30 pm Questions and answers, tea coffee
• 5.00 pm depart and issue of certificates of course completion.

PROGRAMME COURSE 2

Thursday 3rd October

• 10 am Registration and meeting, coffee
• 10.30 Historical background and the purpose of Dúchas na Sionna John O’ Brien
• 11.00 am an introduction to Building in mud in 2024 Regulations and approvals and technical considerations. Chris Southgate
• 11.45 Coffee
• 12.00 am Practical Session 1, Eoin Madigan Selection of the material Garage laboratory analysis, silt sand and gravel, modifying mud by adding hot lime cement and other aggregates.
• 12.30 pm Discussion and review A chance for participants to introduce their projects
• 1.00pm Lunch is provided
• 2.00 pm Planning the building and sustainability in 2024 Colm Murray
• 2.30 pm Geology and Irish Mud Colm Murray
• 3.00pm, Practical Session 2, Erecting formwork and mud building session 1 Damien Condon and Eoin Madigan. Tea and coffee available
• 4.45 Questions and answers and review

Friday 4th October

• 9.00 am Practical Session 3, Building efficiently in mud. Planning the work and formwork and compacting and building a mud building. Eoin Madigan and Damien Condon
• 11.15 Coffee
• 1.00pm Lunch provided
• 2.00 pm Practical Session 4, Protection and curing and finishing with hot lime practical workshop with Damien Condon and Eoin Madigan
• 4.30 pm Questions and answers, tea coffee
• 5.00 pm depart and issue of certificates of course completion.