Preserve Irish heritage with a dry stone walling masterclass in Leitrim

A course on dry stone wall building is set to take place this coming weekend at Leitrim’s Organic Centre, led by expert stone mason Rónán Crehan of the Inis Oirr Clochan Project.

According to Rónán, dry stone walls are a vital part of our living heritage, and recent UNESCO recognition will play a key role in preserving Ireland’s craft and stone wall traditions. He collaborates with both the Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland and the Office of Public Works (OPW).

Dry stone construction, the method of building using only stone, without mortar, has long been a hallmark of rural Ireland and is deeply embedded in the nation’s history and cultural identity. Dating back to the Neolithic period, Ireland’s distinctive patchwork of stone walls remains a visible and enduring feature of our landscapes and fields.

In December 2024, dry stone walling was officially added to UNESCO’s list of protected cultural practices.

Rónán is passionate about this craft and contributes to its preservation through his work with the OPW’s heritage services, focusing on the maintenance of Ireland’s national monuments.

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“Recently, drystone walling was recognised in Ireland as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. This is fantastic, because this means that the craft and the walls can be protected. Drystone walling has been making a steady comeback over the past 20 or so years,” Rónán said.

He has observed a growing interest among Irish landowners in preserving the stone walls on their property.

“As a course it is very popular, because a lot of people have drystone walls on their land and the courses give them access to the knowledge on how to repair and maintain them. “Drystone walls and the craft of drystone walling is a living heritage and UNESCO’s recognition of this has promoted and protected that even more,” he added.

The Organic Centre in Leitrim has long been a pioneer in recognising the cultural significance of stone walls, having offered dry stone walling courses for over 20 years.

Dry stone wall at the Organic Centre

“The Organic Centre is a perfect place to run the course, because the participants can see how a drystone wall works in a garden setting,” Rónán remarked.

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He also highlighted the environmental benefits of these structures, noting their value for biodiversity.

“It can support biodiversity by creating shelter for small mammals and also a place for different plants and lichens to grow among the joints in the stone,” he said.

“The participants take inspiration from this and can see how something like a drystone wall can work in their own garden,” he concluded.

The weekend masterclass takes place on Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3. Spaces can be booked via the Organic Centre website or by calling 071 985 4338.