This is the twentieth post relating to my 1798 Project. I must admit I hadn't expected the project to last this long! I suspect there will be many more posts in the future. My interest in this period of history has only grown through researching it.
I've made two buildings this week. Most dwellings in 18th Century Ireland were very humble. The majority lived in small cottages. These were usually made of stone or earth. Roofs were normally thatch, with few being slated. The brick "Georgian houses" were not common outside Dublin. Some landlords constructed large manor houses, such as Russborough House and Moore Hall.
This model is based on a drawing of Boolavogue Chapel in Nicholas Furlong's book "Fr. John Murphy of Boolavogue, 1753-1798". After Henry VIII's "Dissolution of the Monasteries" in the 16th Century, Ireland's abbeys had ceased to exist. Beginning in the late 17th Century, the Penal Laws limited Catholic worship in Ireland. Services were held at isolated "Mass rocks". Later, thatched buildings were used for religious ceremonies. The village of Tomhaggard, near my home, contains the only Irish thatched Church still standing.
The model is made of MDF sheet. It's not the easiest material to use for scratch building. But with a sharp knife, superglue and Milliput, it can be used to good effect. MDF buildings are also very durable. The thatch is made from scouring pad.
This model is based on Evoy's forge, which I've previously visited. It's fairly similar to the church in its construction. The stones were added using a thin layer of Milliput, scored with a toothpick.
Just a few days ago I received some more figures for the project. The next job will be painting some rebel artillery!
Go dtí an chéad uair eile, beir bua!
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