The smaller thatched cottages often had only one or two rooms and the furniture was very simple. Many of the surviving thatched cottages have since been renovated and changed to suit modern tastes.
Thatched Cottage in Askeaton, Co. Limerick
Photo of a thatched cottage in Askeaton, Co. Limerick.
Courtesy of the Office of Public Works.Thatched Cottage in Askeaton, Co. Limerick
Courtesy of the Office of Public Works.
Courtesy of the Office of Public Works.
Thatched Cottage in Askeaton, Co. Limerick
Photo of a thatched cottage in Askeaton, Co. Limerick.
Courtesy of the Office of Public Works.At the time they were built, these cottages were often lived in by families of rural labourers who did seasonal work on farms but were not landowners.
This pretty red cottage in Askeaton in Limerick only has two rooms.
Larger thatched cottages, such as the one below, often had a number of rooms. These often included a parlour, which the good furniture and ornaments were kept.
Several factors influenced how a thatched cottage was designed in the past. These included local environment, social status and available materials.
Gortnagross Thatched Cottage, Co. Limerick
A photo of Gortnagross thatched cottage, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
Courtesy of the Office of Public Works.Gortnagross Thatched Cottage, Co. Limerick
Courtesy of the Office of Public Works.
Courtesy of the Office of Public Works.
Gortnagross Thatched Cottage, Co. Limerick
A photo of Gortnagross thatched cottage, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
Courtesy of the Office of Public Works.Although thatched buildings were mainly domestic dwelling places, they were also used for business and agricultural purposes.