Since I trained in 1981 I have never been stuck for work as a thatcher. Work, however, does not equal money! It is one of the vagaries of life that people who do the hardest physical work usually have to struggle for their money, whereas those who get others to do it for them often become wealthy.
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I got my start through a training course run by AnCo in 1981. Based around Ardara, County Donegal, we were shown the ropes by Jack Meaney, a traditional thatcher from County Cork. We worked on various net-thatched houses around the area, learning to thatch, harvest reeds, and split scollops.
On completing the course and receiving my certificate, I asked Jack what was the most important quality a thatcher needed. Without hesitation he replied "A thick neck, Jimmy." (he called all males Jimmy, and all females Suzy.). I have found this to be absolutely true.
Jack was a true master of thatching (these days there is no such thing as a master thatcher - it is now purely a trade name that anyone can buy. There are no necessary qualifications or standards.)
and produced fine looking roofs with just a knife and a thatching bat made from a piece of 3 by 2. But he had the skill in his hands and a sharp eye. His eaves and ridges would come out as straight as a die, with seemingly effortless ease.
The wheel eventually turned full circle, as I was asked to teach an NVQ level 2 course in thatching in Limavady in 1999.
A practise roof was built for us in an old factory unit, and I started the trainees on thatching a straight stroke. There is no better way of learning the skill of thatching than by practical experience on a training roof. It is impossible to teach anyone during a commercial job, as the pressure is always on to complete the work, and anyway you can't allow mistakes to be made in that environment. On the practise roof however, you can get the trainee to take down what he has done, and redo it to a better standard. In that manner they can learn from their mistakes, and develop their skills in a suportive environment.
 
As the trainees improve their abilities, they can move on to learn to tackle the various features encountered in the trade, such as eyebrow windows. Each can progress at their own pace, and there is no pressure to get the job finished.
After a number of months of this type of experience coupled with some theory, and necessary health and safety skills, it is possible for a handy individual to be able to be an asset to a thatcher, and become an improver who can actually work on a site from the first day out.
 
We moved on to new premises, and built a better training roof which was more realistic and incorporated more features.
I enjoyed my time as a thatching instructer, and had good fun with the trainees, who seemed to enjoy the course and learnt the basics of the trade.
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After training, Ciaran and I decided to team up. We rethatched a number of cottages, and then did our first new house down near Galway.
 
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Ciaran and I went our separate ways after a few years. He is now a wine negotiant in France. I carried on under my own name. It doesn't seem so long ago, but when you look at the calender it is over 20 years. Time flies. Below are images of different jobs during that time:
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