INTRODUCTION TO COPPICING WITH EOIN DONNELLY, WOODWRIGHT, AUGHRIM, WICKLOW

Join us on St. Brigid's Day for an immersive day learning traditional woodland skills at our hazel coppicing course, led by master woodwright Eoin Donnelly www.eoindonnelly.ie

The course will take place in Tomcoyle Woods, an ancient oak and hazel woodland in County Wicklow. There is a recorded history of coppicing activity in Tomcoyle woods since the 1720s and it offers the perfect setting to reconnect with this important woodland practice and Ireland’s rich forestry heritage.

Hazel coppicing is a sustainable woodland management technique that has been practiced in Ireland for centuries. It helps preserve the health of the woodland while providing a renewable source of materials for fencing, garden products, traditional crafts, charcoal and firewood.

Throughout the day, participants will learn about the history and cultural significance of coppicing in Ireland, the sustainable use of coppice materials, woodland ecology and the benefits of coppice management to the woodland habitat and its flora and fauna. They will gain hands-on experience in the art of coppicing and will be coppicing hazel with hand-saws and gleaning usable material with bill hooks. Eoin will teach the proper use of traditional tools as well as tips for tool maintenance.

Eoin has spent most of his life working native broadleaved woodlands, managing and utilising their timbers. His skills include coppicing and coppice management, hedge-laying, pole-lathe turning, charcoal production, hurdle making, garden products such as brooms, rakes forks, thatching products and many more. He constructed the Viking long-house at the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin and was instrumental in the refurbishment of the Irish National Heritage Park.

This course is offered to anyone interested in learning about the understory management of native broadleaf woodlands and anyone who just wants to spend a day working with like-minded people in a beautiful ancient Irish woodland.

Tools will be provided, but participants must wear suitable outdoor and protective clothing. This includes warm clothing, wet weather gear, work gloves, a warm hat, and leather work boots or hiking boots (no wellingtons!). As much as we love dogs this course is not suitable for them. Minimum age for participation is 16 years. A hot lunch will be provided too – please specify dietary requirements to the email address specified below.

The course is limited to 12 participants but an extra date later in February may be scheduled in the event of oversubscription.

This event is part of Crann’s ongoing focus on promoting woodland culture and heritage, offering an opportunity to deepen your understanding of Ireland’s native woodlands and traditional craft skills. This course is a unique chance to engage with nature and Ireland’s woodland traditions.

It is the first in a series of courses that will be held in Tomcoyle Woods in 2025. The next course will be a three day immersive charcoal making course with Eoin over the May Bank holiday using the hazel that has already been coppiced in Tomcoyle. If you are interested in this course or hearing more about the series then please send an email to the address below.

Please direct any queries to [email protected]

Host or Publisher Crann - Trees for Ireland