Basic Stonemasonry Course
Sat & Sun 9-10 August 2008
Check back here or send us an e-mail if you wish to be notified of further upcoming course dates
Day 1 (Sat): Working with Lime Day 2 (Sun): Working with Stone
Time: 0930-1630 Lunch is available on site or at a local pub/restaurant
Cost: 200 euros or $300 US dollars for 2-day course
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9-10 August 2008l Sat-Sun E-mail or write to us if you want to be E-mail or write to us if you would like to be notified of additional upcoming course dates in 2008
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For Enquiries:
Postal Address
Tipperary School of Stonemasonry Ballytarsna Castle Cashel County Tipperary IRELAND
(There is no post code for Ireland)
TEL 0504 41951 (within Ireland) 353 504 41951 (outside Ireland) |

The Tipperary School of Stonemasonry is an educational program at Ballytarsna Castle that is dedicated to promoting the preservation of historic Irish stonework and the creation of new stone structures that are in harmony with historic practices and sound traditional workmanship. In so doing we also provide opportunities for interested individuals to learn the basic skills of stonemasonry. Whether an individual is interested in a brief introduction to the theory and practice of stonework or desiring a career in stonemasonry, we can assist you in achieving your goals.
The art and vocation of traditional Irish stonemasonry is increasing in importance and demand in the marketplace as the interest in preserving and restoring traditional stonework accelerates along with the surge in new construction. The Tipperary School of Stonemasonry offers courses for anyone interested in the theory and practice of traditional stonemasonry. We heartily welcome property owners, architects, farmers, builders, stonemasons, and anyone else who wishes to learn the traditional ways of working with stone and lime mortars.
Our focus is on traditional methods, but we also offer courses in practical masonry using the modern tools associated with the trade.
We always try to tailor the courses we offer toward the specific interests of the course participants. So, if you want to repair a garden wall, entry way, cottage, house, office, barn, castle, or church, we can help you. If you want to incorporate traditional design and practice into a new construction project, we can help you. If you want to become a professional stonemason or enrich your skills as a practicing stonemason, we can help you.
Our greatest goal is to spread the knowledge that will preserve and enhance the historic and traditional beauty of Ireland. Join us for an enriching and enjoyable time at Ballytarsna Castle near Cashel in County Tipperary, Ireland.
Learning the basic skills of stonemasonry is easier than you probably realize. A few simple principles will get you started; hands-on experience will increase your confidence in your skills. At the Tipperary School of Stonemasonry we provide the tools, materials, instruction, and hands-on experience to bring together a satisfying learning environment. The short courses of instruction present a substantial amount of information in a brief period, therefore we also provide written material for the course participants to keep as a reference source.
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Ballytarsna Castle - Educational Programs Tipperary School of Stonemasonry
Cashel, County Tipperary, IRELAND |





The Tipperary School of Stonemasonry is an educational program at Ballytarsna Castle that is dedicated to promoting the preservation of historic Irish stonework and the creation of new stone structures that are in harmony with historic practices and sound traditional workmanship. In so doing we also provide opportunities for interested individuals to learn the basic skills of stonemasonry. Whether an individual is interested in a brief introduction to the theory and practice of stonework or desiring a career in stonemasonry, we can assist you in achieving your goals.
The art and vocation of traditional Irish stonemasonry is increasing in importance and demand in the marketplace as the interest in preserving and restoring traditional stonework accelerates along with the surge in new construction. The Tipperary School of Stonemasonry offers courses for anyone interested in the theory and practice of traditional stonemasonry. We heartily welcome property owners, architects, farmers, builders, stonemasons, and anyone else who wishes to learn the traditional ways of working with stone and lime mortars.
Our focus is on traditional methods, but we also offer courses in practical masonry using the modern tools associated with the trade.
We always try to tailor the courses we offer toward the specific interests of the course participants. So, if you want to repair a garden wall, entry way, cottage, house, office, barn, castle, or church, we can help you. If you want to incorporate traditional design and practice into a new construction project, we can help you. If you want to become a professional stonemason or enrich your skills as a practicing stonemason, we can help you.
Our greatest goal is to spread the knowledge that will preserve and enhance the historic and traditional beauty of Ireland. Join us for an enriching and enjoyable time at Ballytarsna Castle near Cashel in County Tipperary, Ireland.
Learning the basic skills of stonemasonry is easier than you probably realize. A few simple principles will get you started; hands-on experience will increase your confidence in your skills. At the Tipperary School of Stonemasonry we provide the tools, materials, instruction, and hands-on experience to bring together a satisfying learning environment. The short courses of instruction present a substantial amount of information in a brief period, therefore we also provide written material for the course participants to keep as a reference source.
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Working with Stone & Lime (Basic Course)
Day 1 - Working with Lime: LECTURE AND DISCUSSION Introduction to limes and traditional practice Why use lime? Basic principles of lime mortars and conservation Hydraulic limes and pozzolans Limewash and plaster Re-pointing stone walls with lime mortar HANDS-ON INSTRUCTION AND EXPERIENCE Short tour of the Ballytarsna Castle restoration project Slaking lime putty Analyzing various sands and aggregates Mixing hot and cold lime mortars Internal plastering Limewashing Raking out and re-pointing stone walls with lime mortar
Day 2 - Working with Stone (Basic): LECTURE AND DISCUSSION Introduction to basic stonework and traditional practice Basic principles of stonework Pointing stone walls Conservation principles HANDS-ON INSTRUCTION AND EXPERIENCE Building dry stone walls Raking out stone joints Pointing stone joints Stone cutting Building round gate piers Laying mortared stones |

For Enquiries:
Postal Address
Tipperary School of Stonemasonry Ballytarsna Castle Cashel County Tipperary IRELAND
(There is no post code for Ireland)
TEL 0504 41951 (within Ireland) 353 504 41951 (outside Ireland) |
This page was last updated on: 11 July, 2008












A primary emphasis in the courses at the Tipperary School of Stonemasonry is the use of lime mortar, historically the most versatile and compatible material available for use with stone and brick. The inherent permeability and flexibility of lime mortar allows stone walls to breathe and settle, and breathe and settle they must if they are to endure. Our courses will explain these issues and more to further your understanding of the usefulness and applications of lime mortars.
In use since antiquity and outperforming modern cement mortars in most applications, lime is essential to the proper preservation of historic structures. Lime mortars are also compatible with many modern construction projects. Come see for yourself how lime mortars, plasters, and renders perform and what they can do for you.
The knowledge of lime theory and practice largely faded away with the introduction of Portland cement and concrete in the 19th and 20th centuries. Particularly with historic structures that underwent restoration during the age of cement there have been many dismal failures due to inappropriate use of cement mortars.
Now the technology of lime is making a tremendous comeback as the advantages of this amazing material have become evident again. Come to Ballytarsna Castle to enrich your knowledge of lime, the material that so well served the ancients and can well serve you in your projects today. Our emphasis on lime technology fully complements the instruction of stoneworking principles and techniques.
Current Course of Instruction:
The basic course in Working with Stone & Lime is presented as a two-day unit. The first day of the course is entitled Working with Lime and extensively details the use of lime for mortars, renders and plasters along with valuable hands-on experience. This "lime day" is an essential foundation for the subsequent instruction in stonework. Experienced stonemasons and others may also attend the single day Working with Lime without attending a full course.
The course tuition is charged at a rate of 100 euros (or $150 US dollars) for each day of the course, amounting to 200 euros ($300 US dollars) for a two-day course. (Other institutions offer two-day courses at prices up to twice the cost of our tuition -- should you need an excuse to travel to beautiful Ireland to attend our school.)
Further courses will be announced later; please contact us if you would like to be notified of future course offerings. Also, should you be interested in individualised training please contact us. Consideration will be given to those interested in participating in the restoration project as further training.
We also offer consulting advice on restoration and repair projects ranging from cottages to castles. Contact us for the cost of this service.
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9-10 August 2008l Sat-Sun E-mail or write to us if you want to be E-mail or write to us if you would like to be notified of additional upcoming course dates in 2008
|
Basic Stonemasonry Course
Sat & Sun 9-10 August 2008
Check back here or send us an e-mail if you wish to be notified of further upcoming course dates
Day 1 (Sat): Working with Lime Day 2 (Sun): Working with Stone
Time: 0930-1630 Lunch is available on site or at a local pub/restaurant
Cost: 200 euros or $300 US dollars for 2-day course
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