Lifford’s only thatched property – known locally as “Daly’s Cottage” – is being included in a survey on thatched buildings which is being carried out by Donegal Co. Council.

The council is keen to promote projects that can enhance the appearance of an area while also preserving our heritage.

“The purpose is to find out what is the exact state of thatching in Co. Donegal,” explained Fidelma Mullane, who is conducting the survey on behalf of the council. “I am looking at all types of buildings with thatched roofs, from houses to old buildings on farms.”

The Heritage Council is also offering grant assistance for the restoration of certain types of old properties, and this can include buildings with thatched roofs.

Most of the thatching being done locally is being carried out by Ivor and Liam Kilpatrick from Raphoe. Ivor reckons that there could be up to 500 thatched properties in the county.

Over the years many have fallen into disrepair, but with grant aid the hope is that many can be restored to their former glory.

Lifford’s sole remaining thatched building, Daly’s cottage, was acquired by the Daly family in 1972, but nobody has lived there for about 20 years.

It is uncertain when exactly it was built. The walls are stone and mortar, and at the front door there is a small timber porch with a decorative lattice detail.

Originally there were three bedrooms at ground floor level with two more in the loft.

The bedroom behind the hearth was removed about 15 years ago to facilitate the construction of the petrol station next door.

In 2007, the front wall and part of the gable end were damaged when accidentally struck by a truck.

This has been repaired and was recently re-thatched also with locally sourced materials in the scallop thatching style.

There are several layers of old thatch still on the roof, including old oat straw and old flax layers.

The re-thatching work was supported by a grant from the Heritage Council.

Anyone who is the owner of a thatched property is asked to contact Fidelma Mullane so they can be included in the survey. She can be contacted at 091 528829 or 087 6900932. Her e-mail is fmullane@eircom.net