Last summer when we took down the unstable byre we noticed that both door (left) & window lintels are of scanty dimensions. They originally belonged to a pre famine ruin nearby – ‘Shane’s’ cottage – and were subsequently reused to build this byre at the end of the 1800s.

Wood lintels were used when big stones were not available. We use off cuts from our local quarry, large enough to extend beyond the window/door openings, overlapping the walls to either side by at least a few inches.

The load of the wall and roof is carried across an  opening and down the walls on the sides.

Level off lintels by bedding with mortar and small slips of stone if needed..

..and proportions suddenly become visible.