Donegal County Council has announced free architectural tours of the vernacular buildings of Gola Island.

The tours, which will take place from Friday June 11 to Sunday June 13, are being organised by the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society in conjunction with the Gola Development Committee.

The tour will include some of the traditional buildings on the island and the clachan settlements. Participants will see evidence of the ingenuity of the islanders in terms of the use of local building materials and traditional building skills that contribute to the unique cultural character of the island.

-- Advertisement --

The architectural heritage walking tours are taking place to coincide with a traditional building skills’ summer school on the island. Builders will be working on a typical vernacular cottage, Teach Charlie Ned, demonstrating how these traditional buildings can be sensitively restored using traditional materials including natural slate, lime and timber. Visitors to Gola, which is situated just one kilometre off the coast of Gweedore, will have the opportunity to see this work in progress and to speak with some of the local craftsmen.

(NS/GK)