Thatch
Traditionally, all materials used were sourced locally and the availability of building materials was the biggest influence in choice as part originator of the thatch. Before the introduction of modern transport such as the railway and lorry, there was no choice only to use local materials. Thus, this stipulates the reasoning behind the wide variety of materials used for covering that were common throughout Ireland.
“Wheat straw is the most popular is most parts of Ireland. In Derry, Donegal and Fermanagh flax is preferred …In manycounties rye straw comes second to wheat, and some thatchers recommend that special crop of rye be grown for thatching, Oats straw is fairly popular too and takes pride of place over wheat in Counties Kildare, Louth, Leix, Offaly and Westmeath, and rivals wheat in Meath. It will be noted that all these Leinster counties adjoin. Barley straw is used very rarely … In some counties where reed grows in lakes and rivers, it is used in preference to other materials. This is the case particularly in Limerick, Kerry and Clare and to a extent in Cork, Tipperary and Waterford – the six counties of Munster.It is rarely used elsewhere. In mountainous districts, especially in Donegal, Mayo, Galway and Kerry, rushes and certain tough grasses are often used
“Wheat straw is the most popular is most parts of Ireland. In Derry, Donegal and Fermanagh flax is preferred …In manycounties rye straw comes second to wheat, and some thatchers recommend that special crop of rye be grown for thatching, Oats straw is fairly popular too and takes pride of place over wheat in Counties Kildare, Louth, Leix, Offaly and Westmeath, and rivals wheat in Meath. It will be noted that all these Leinster counties adjoin. Barley straw is used very rarely … In some counties where reed grows in lakes and rivers, it is used in preference to other materials. This is the case particularly in Limerick, Kerry and Clare and to a extent in Cork, Tipperary and Waterford – the six counties of Munster.It is rarely used elsewhere. In mountainous districts, especially in Donegal, Mayo, Galway and Kerry, rushes and certain tough grasses are often used