Lovers of Lime had much to celebrate lately by way of Hertitage Week, including free entry into our local castle, the lower part of which was built in the 1500s and has walls of three yards deep – as if any further proof is needed – fickle stuff Lime is not.

A hand full of brave souls in the Gweedore area  opened their once ruined stone homes to the public – a rare & wonderful chance to compare notes on building with lime.

Of special interest was a house in Meencorwick (above) rebuilt using traditional skills & nearly all natural materials. The interior is rendered with Lime and hemp (left) and provides excellent insulation. Many thanks to owners Emily Bazeley and Sean Debeney for their generous sharing of experience.

There was no end of delving to be done – under bridges, into wells, tombs, forts, work houses,  fever hospitals & churches – and for a short while the mill ground oats once more.