Slate and Thatch

Cut Stone House, Holycross

A pretty cut limestone cottage at Holycross, Co. Tipperary.

Courtesy of John O'Gorman.

Cut Stone House, Holycross
Courtesy of John O'Gorman.

Cut Stone House, Holycross

A pretty cut limestone cottage at Holycross, Co. Tipperary.

Courtesy of John O'Gorman.

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Even in the early twentieth century, the houses that were built were quite different from the ones that we construct and live in today.

Many older houses were made of stone and concrete, which meant that the walls were very thick and strong.

In the past, many houses used thatch instead of slate roofs, though the use of thatch declined rapidly throughout the twentieth century. Thatch was made of straw or rushes that were found growing locally.

Slate Roof
Courtesy of John O'Gorman.

Slate became more popular because slate roofs last longer. In addition, slate does not catch fire as easily as thatch. In recent years, slate has also become cheaper to use than thatch. Thatching is now a very specialised skill.