The Gathering of Stones

[Sunny Wieler]

For the past number of months The Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland (DSWAI) in collaboration with The International Stone Foundation have been working hard behind the scenes on creating a big dry stone walling event to join in the nation wide celebrations of The Gathering Ireland 2013.

DSWAI and the Stone Foundation (based in the USA) have come together with a vision to invite the international community ‘home’ for a Gathering of Stones in the geographical centre of Ireland. 

In association with Bord na Mona, The Gathering of Stones will be an event where wallers and masons from all over the world as well as people with an interest in Irish dry stone walls will come together. Under the instruction and guidance of the DSWAI they will build an attractive communal stone installation that will act as a permanent monument to all events and gatherings that will take place during The Gathering 2013.

Set in the grounds of the beautiful Lough Boora Parklands in County Offaly, the event will take place over the course of four days, during which we will build our dry stone gathering point.

All four provinces in Ireland will be represented in the sculpture by using a particular stone type and style from each province.

Bring a stone home to Lough Boora

 Attendees are invited to “Bring a stone home to Lough Boora. These stones will be incorporated into the final installation. You are welcome to bring a rock, but a pebble will be more practical, something that will fit in your pocket will do just fine. A few larger rocks will also be making the trip to Ireland. A small number of granite blocks from the old Immigrant Docks near Battery Park in New York have been offered to the project. Millions of emigrants walked over these stones after registering at Ellis Island, including nearly everyone from Ireland during the famine years and after.  RJW–Gem Campbell Stonemasons Inc. in Canada who have obtained these blocks have offered to donate a number of these to be incorporated into the sculpture.

Please come and joins us for this unique celebration of Irish dry stone heritage.

For more information log onto the DSWAI website http://dswaireland.ning.com

Bookings for this event as well as a detailed information pack for people planning on joining us for this event will be available on the DSWAI website within the next week so be sure to book your spot quick before the event fills up. 

[Eddie Farrelly]

Alternative t-shirt.

Front.

 

Back.

 

Perhaps the touch of irony in this alternative t-shirt design could appeal to those with a sense of fun!!!! ??? 

[Sunny Wieler]

‎Lough Boora Parklands The location of the Gathering of Stones has made it into Landscape Architects Network's top 10 Irish Landscapes list.
http://landarchs.com/top-10-irish-landscapes/

Will be a great setting for sure, with plenty of lovely walks when a break from stone is needed.

[Eddie Farrelly]

Yes Sean, it is open to all but there is likely to be a limit on the numbers attending. The Association are currently in the process of designing the application form and are also in discussions regarding accomodation. There is also an annual dry stone workshop, "Féile na gCloch" to be held on the last weekend in September. It takes place on Inis Oírr, the smallest of the Aran Islands, a wallers paradise off the west coast of Ireland. 

[Sean Kelly]

I am interested in events in the summer . Possibly the gathering of stones. Is this open to all ?

[Karl Kaufmann]

Is there information about travel and lodging yet?

[Sunny Wieler]

You would have to ask Tomas, he is responsible for the poster and Tshirt. 

[mal]

hi sunny,who the model for the t-shirt,mal.  ps nice

[louise price]

Aw LOVE the T-shirt!

[Sunny Wieler]

I have this map hanging in my office. Can be ordered through the gsi website for only €10 click here for link.

This map will also be featured on the event Tshirt. 

[louise price]

Thanks -  And here's the link to the actual geological map for map lovers!

http://www.burrenconnect.ie/UserFiles/Image/file/Geopark/NEED/maps/...