DSWAI supports the West Cork Stone Symposium

The DSWAI was delighted to lend its support to the first ever West Cork Stone Symposium. Held in the village of Ahakista on the Sheep’s Head peninsula in west Cork from the 24th-26th of March.

Over three days of unbroken sunshine, the peninsula and nearby islands became home to a number of dry stone walling and stone carving workshops, a photography course, walks and exhibitions, as well as a number of talks relating to Ireland's stone heritage, including a talk by DSWAI Chairman Sunny Wieler on the dry stone walls of west Cork.

The weekend proved to be a huge success with all workshops filled to capacity we people traveling from as far away as Canada, Germany and the UK to attend. Over the course of the three days more than 70 yards of dry stone wall was built as well as a unique curved seating area complete with a dry stone fire pit. Meanwhile the professional stone carvers carved a huge standing stone that was erected on the final day as a permanent sign for the local community land where the festival took place. Local stone carver and DSWAI member Victor Daly co organises the festival with the 'Sheep's Head Way' community group, he is hopeful that the festival will become an annual event .