Council to put numbers on county’s store of heritage thatched cottages

A survey of thatched buildings in Westmeath is to start in June, the first such survey carried out since 2004.

Thatched buildings, once typical in Ireland up until the 17th century, fell out of fashion in favour of other roofing materials and there are now only a few such buildings in the county, according to heritage officer, Melanie McQuade.

A survey carried out for the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage in 2004 included 28 thatched buildings in Westmeath, but this was not a comprehensive list and this latest survey aims to ensure that all are included.

Conservation consultant, Bronagh Lanigan of AR&R will be travelling to each of the thatched houses in Westmeath.

“As well as recording the building details and history, we are looking forward to talking to the owners and getting their views on the conservation needs of these thatched buildings and on the future use of thatch,” says Melanie. She goes on to explain that the survey results will help to inform conservation priorities, including grant assisted works, for original thatched properties in Westmeath.

“I’m looking forward to learning more about the history of these thatched houses, the families who lived in them, who built the houses and who the local thatchers were,” says Bronagh, who is looking for the public’s help in finding the remaining thatched houses in the county and any information on the history of thatch in Westmeath. “If people have old photographs of thatched buildings, have thatching tools in a shed that haven’t been used or looked at in a while or any information about thatching in the county I’d love to hear from them.”

If you are the owner of a thatched building or if you know of one that may not have been included on the NIAH (https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/) then contact Heritage@westmeathcoco.ie or Melanie McQuade on 087 6074496.