Sheahan's Thatched Cottage

The house is a three bay single storey example of "direct entry" type vernacular traditional Irish house.  It is rectangular in plan, one room in width, each room opens into the next without a passage or central hall and the entrances and windows are to be found on the side rather than the end walls. The walls are of rubble stone construction, finished in a lime based wash.Cobblestones form part of the area in front of the house.  In other words, the building displays all the characteristics of vernacular rural dwelling found in this part of the West of Ireland.The traditional half-door is a feature in this house.  In bygone days the half-door had important advantages, especially where the windows admitted little light or air.  It allowed a good deal of both daylight and fresh air to filter into the house whilst at the same time keeping hungry hens out.  It also served as an arm-rest for the farmer while he smoked his pipe and chatted to a passing neighbour.  From the inside, seated by the fire, the half-door afforded a fine view of visitors as they approached the house.

Sheehan's Thatched Cottage is located at Finuge Cross is regarded as one of the oldest surviving authentic thatched cottages in Ireland. Conservation experts estimate it at least 300 years old. The Sean McCarthy Committee purchased the cottage in 1993 and this is what it looked like. The cottage was owned for many generations by the Sheehan family, Patrick Sheehan handed over the key of the cottage to Eamonn Kelly, Seanchaí at the 2000 celebration.

Eamon de Butler on the Accordian

The Sean McCarthy Committe was saddened to hear of the death of Eamonn Kelly, he was a loyal supporter of the Sean McCathy Weekend and a great friend to all.

Ar dheis De go raibh a th-anam dilis.

METHOD OF LAYING STONE FLAGGED FLOOR:
1. Break up and remove existing concrete floor. Care to be taken not to damage any surviving cobbled floor beneath. (No cobbeld floor underneath)
2. If cobbled floor exists this should be retained as the finished floor as it has historic value. If not proceed to 3.
3. Clear top soil and lay 150mm clean hardcore compacted using a vibrating plate.
4. Lay a 50mm screed and lay NHL 5. Ratio 2 1/2 parts snad to 1 part lime.
5. When dry arrange the stone flags over on a thin lilme slurry of the same mix.
6. Allow variable 10mm to 20mm joints between each flag stone and use a lime mix
NHL 3.5 to fill the joints.

LIMEWASHING:
First couple of coats bond better a week after plastering has been complete.
Blend all together in a big plastic bin to avoid having joints.
Allow for 5 coats of limewash.
2 to 3 bucktes of lime putty.
200g pigment per bucket(if required)