160 replies to this topic

[ocd]

Do you know any professional dry stone wallers who are near the site and can survey it and appeal to the authorities with you?

It's hard to get an overall picture without visiting the site but what I can say is it looks like it was rebuilt without care and understanding of how why the structure works.

ocd

[Bettina]

It seems nearly impossible to get someone to speak out against the OPW. Even archaeologists prefer to stay silent.
But I will try again, if someone would come forward.

[ocd]

I can write to them based on the photos I've seen, what they were trying to achieve doesn't make sense to me.

I looked back at some of the photos and one of them shows a section of wall with 14 courses where the joints weren't covered - that is a massive inherent weakness.

can you post their address or send it to me as a message

thanks

ocd

[Bettina]

The care applied during the works carried out on Grianan Aileach is maybe best demonstrated with the next picture. It shows a broken piece of stone with tar marks.
In 1874 Dr. Walter Bernard marked the remains of the monument with tar before he proceeded with the (dry stone) reconstruction.
The stone in the picture was part of the wall of Grianan in 1101 as it was destroyed by Murtagh O’Brien. I found it on the heap of discarded stones from previous works carried out by the OPW.

Attached Files

•  SA702403detail.jpg   470.35K   3 downloads

[Bettina]

Aaron Gracey
OPW 175 Events Coordinator,
Public Relations Department,
The Office of Public Works,
51, St Stephens Green,
Dublin 2, Ireland
T: [00 353] 1 6476066
F: [00 353] 1 6476491

The architect in charge of Grianan Aileach is Paul McMahon

All the information and pictures I have gathered so far are on my website: http://unknownswilly...iananwalls.html

Thank you so much. Please, let me know how you get on.

All the best
Bettina

[shiny]

This is how students do the job in Cumbria.

Take a look at the images in the Crookland Project section:

http://www.dswa.org....bout_frames.htm

[ocd]

thanks Bettina for the address and thanks shiny for the pictures

It is a good comparison on how stone walling should be done compared to what has been done at grianan of aileach fort.

even the untrained eye should see the difference.

you can see the walls are built course by course covering the joints as they go, and not just slappped together with concrete here and there where it might fall down.



ocd

[Bettina]

Thanks for the link, Shiny. Everyone else seems to be able to build a dry stone wall better then those in charge of a National monument.

[Bettina]

OCD,

two local papers carried today an article each about my open letter concerning Grianan Aileach. But it is election time here ...
Would I get too worried, if I tried harder to point out the danger the monument poses under the current condition?

[ocd]

would the papers be interested in a letter from a stone waller on the subject?

if so post their adresses for me too

thanks

ocd

[Bettina]

It's worth a try.

Local papers:

Derry Journal: http://www.derryjournal.com/
The Derry Journal
22 Buncrana Road
Derry
BT48 8AA
Telephone : 0287 127 2200

Ian Cullan has reported before on Grianan: ian.cullen@derryjournal.com

Inish Times: http://www.inishtimes.com/
Inish Times
St. Mary's Road,
Buncrana,
Co. Donegal
Telephone : 00353 7493 41055

Mary-Anne McNultty has reported on Grianan in March 2007: maryanne@inishtimes.com


Donegal Democrat: http://www.donegalto.../contactus.aspx
Donegal Democrat
Larkin House, Oldtown road
Donegal
PE27DS
Telephone : 00353 749128000

Zoe Tunney: zoe.tunney@donegaldemocrat.com


Inishowen Independent: no website yet
Inishowen Independent
66 Mill Brae,
Buncrana,
Co. Donegal
Telephone: 00353 7493 21510
Liam Porter (editor): liam@inishowenindo.ie
Simon McGeady: simon@ inishowenindo.ie

I send National papers contacts later. Have to run.
Thank you for your efforts.
All the best
Bettina

[shiny]

If the material worked with was ice, then these would be classic avalanche conditions.

[ocd]

there was mention of ice as the original reason for cementing the top of the walls

this is as credable as the abominable snowman

are you being a tad sarcastic with the avalanche theory?

ocd

[shiny]

OCD.................A classic cause of avalanches is a large slab of ice resting on unstable (older) powdery snow or ice.When the adhesion between the two goes, you get your avalanche.

[ocd]

shiny

sorry

ocd