Well done to all who participated in the Larch Hill Seminar whether you were part of the com-

mittee or one of the visitors. The comments and feedback we received on the day and after-

wards would suggest that it was a great success. And feed back is what we need as we were

aware of a number of small issues that could have been improved upon and will be for the

next seminar. The standard of woodturning was excellent and that extended from the profes-

sional turners to our own members who gave demos. As chairman I would like to thank all

those who attended without whom it would not have been the success it was. A special

thanks to the scouts at Larch Hill for a great venue and brilliant service. The committee also

deserve a mention as the amount of time and effort given was considerable and one or two

members I suspect may not have many brownie points left at home. Barry Dunne proved to

be an exceptional liaison between the scouts and ourselves on the day and helped smooth

over any wrinkles that arose. Thanks Barry.

Christine van Bussell and her colleague Rose gave a fantastic pottery demo and the children

enjoyed the figure painting immensely judging by the crowd of happy faces at the table. Hugh

Flynn was a great hit with several of the visitors with his demo on how to photograph your

turning to a high standard, well done. Peter Hoare was kept busy with questions as he spun

and carded wool. By the way the chair Peter sat on was one he had made that week so talk

about making it up as you go along!!

Tom McDonagh was kept busy boring blanks for another demonstrator and Seamus Carter

kept the fashion section happy. Seamus was wearing a very attractive 3/4 length apron with a

halter neck. The ladies in particular were very attentive. We are considering having a whip

round to buy him a new one as his wife says she is lost without it.

Irene Christy seemed to be doing very well until she made a Freudian slip by announcing that

she strips of at the back door of her house. which wouldn't have been to bad except she car-

ried on by saying she had to have a number of trees cut down to improve the view. Several

offers of help were heard from the assembled audience.

Seamus Cassidy once again gave a superb demo which was well attended and we hope to

provide a microphone system next time to help improve the sound as the protective shields in

front of the lathes dampened the sound quite a bit according to comments received. Danny

McGeevor should really be called Mcgivor as he had to adjust the table for his lathe so as to

dampen as much vibration as possible. Back at the main building the beekeeper had run out

of honey due to the demand and was kept busy answering question from a swarm of inquisi-

tive children and adults alike. The falconer was certainly popular and several children were

enthralled with Fluffy the eagle owl. Once again Thank you all for attending and please let us

know if you weren't happy with any aspect of the Seminar.

Chairman: Charley Ryan

Volume 1, Issue 8

• Larch Hill Reviewed

• Visit to “The

Woodshed” in

Antrim

• Joe Laird takes first

prize at Larch Hill

• Competition Results

• Lots of stuff from

Larch Hill Seminar

• Letter from the

Chairman.

Irish Woodturners GuildIrish Woodturners GuildIrish Woodturners GuildIrish Woodturners Guild

August 2006

Larch Hill Seminar Reviewed

Competition

pieces for

2006

August 2006

A Clock

September 2006

Set of weighing scales

October 2006

Egg Cups

Beginners 1 cup

Experienced/advanced

4 cups on stand

December 2006

Xmas Decoration

Dublin Chapter Newsletter

Page 2 Dublin Chapter Newsletter

Dublin East Central Chapter This chapter meets on second Saturday of each month in Lorcan

Green Community Centre / Scout Hall at 2.00 pm. See map.

Wood turning lessons available

from

Joe O’Neill

on Tuesday/Wednesday mornings

from 10;00 –12:00 a.m.

All levels welcome.

Please contact Joe at 087-6230162

LATHE FOR SALE

Type: Coronet Major

Colour: Maroon

Condition: Excellent condi

tion, includes vari

ous Accessories

Price: €550.00 o.n.o

Contact: Christy Dempsey

087-9747905

Art and Craft Fair

Location: St Marks GAA Club

Springfield

Tallaght

Date: 2nd December

Fee: 40 Euros per table

All monies raised will go towards the

Multiple Sclerosis Society. Please sup-

port this fair .

Contact : Tina Murphy

Mobile no: 086-1038318

Home no: 01-4521109

Candle stick inserts from America

Anthony Hartney has sent me details

from a site in America which can sup-

ply inserts for candle sticks a swell as

many other items.

www.bearwood .com/shop

Click on the search section and type in

candle stick inserts.

Thanks Anthony keep them coming!!

Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 8

Eoin Donnelly gave a superb demo at the Dublin chapter seminar held in Larch Hill on July 8th. The number of people who braved the wind and odd shower of rain to watch as Eoin worked was testament to his ability with the pole lathe. The gentle rhythm of the lathe and lack of dust was very soothing to all watching. The shavings flew from the tools which Eoin rarely grinds preferring to use an oilstone to maintain a keen edge. The use of wet timber and semi dry timber ensures that there is very little dust generated and the fact that the lathe is used outdoors or under shelter helps maintain a healthy working environment. The pole lathe can be traced back as far as the Egyptians and was used extensively throughout Europe and Britain up until the late 1960’s. Eoin’s family had a strong link with forestry and wood craft going back several generations. His family were based in an area of England called High Wycombe and in his Grandfathers time several hundred pole lathe turners could be found work-ing in the surrounding areas. High Wycombe had extensive areas of forest and many people earned their living from the forest by turning parts for the furniture makers and many others be-side. Whilst chatting with Eoin he told me that he suspects that he is one of only two people still actively using a pole lathe full time . Eoin gives courses on the construction and use of the pole lathe at various locations around the country. He has a course coming up in Co. Clare at Tuam grainey just outside Scarrif which can accommodate six people at a time Check with Eoin if you are interested in attending. The course is held over three days with all materials provided for the construction of your lathe. There are camping facilities avail-able or you can arrange B&B lo-cally. The course is held under the aus-pices of a group dedicated to pre-serving many of the old crafts and places can be booked through them. Eoin can be contacted at 087-1262490. I have included the details for the Irish National Heri-tage park as Eoin has a course there in September which may suit some of you. The course in September is based on the use of the lathe rather than construction but Eoin will have a couple of spare lathes for anybody who hasn't built their own yet. The course fee is €170.00 plus €60.00 for materials and will be held on the 8th,9th and 10th September so book ASAP if you are interested. The garden dibbers and swords made by Eoin at Larch Hill were snapped up even before he had finished some of them on the lathe. I am hoping the committee will invite Eoin attend a chapter meeting as a guest or better still as demonstrator at some point in the future. The simplicity of the pole lathe once again dispels the myth that we must have a huge range of

tools to produce excellent turning. Watching somebody of Eoins skill explain the use of a pole lathe and then create such fine work should encourage everybody to persevere with the e tools they have and adapt them where necessary. Once again a special thanks to Eoin for a great demonstra-tion.

Irish National Heritage Park

Ferrycarrig

Co Wexford

Phone: +353 53 20733

Fax: +353 53 20911

Email: info@inhp.com

Website: http://www.inhp.com

Page 4 Volume 1, Issue 8

Calling all past Demonstrators at the Dublin Chapter.

Would anybody who has demonstrated at the Dublin Chapter in the

past please contact Niall Cahill at “ncahill@iol.ie”

Did you give a demonstration? when and what was the topic? Niall

is looking to update the Dublin Chapter website to give a fuller

picture of demonstrators over the years. There are some blanks in

his list and he would really like to include every body who has

demonstrated over the years. If you are one of the missing links

then please look up the website at “dublinwoodturners.com”. The

site has many very interesting features and has something for

everybody so take a look and contribute any ideas or suggestions

you may have.

TOTEM POLE FOR LARCH HILL

Adrian Finlay is looking for some helpers to com-plete a totem pole at larch hill. Due to work commit-ments he will have to finish the piece over a a num-

ber of weeknights.

Please give your name and contact details to any committee member and we will arrange to pass

them on to Adrian

Missing Books and videos

Would any member who has a book or video belonging to the library please try and return them as soon as they are finished with them.

We only have a limited number of books etc so in order for everybody to gain access to them we

need them back now and again!!

If you have come across any books or DVDs which you feel are worth buying for the Chapter please contact John Killoran at 01-4903410 so we can add them to the library for everybody.

Editor’s Contact Details

Richard Murphy 26 Springlawn Drive

Blanchardstown Dublin 15

Ph:087-2958519 E-mail: boomer3@iolfree.ie

Page 5 Volume 1, Issue 8

Major Woodturning

Exhibition

To be held at

Dublin Castle 2006

A prestigious display of woodturning is to be shown in

Dublin Castle from

the 14th to the 18th of August 2006.

This display will be open to the Public and will be held

the “Erin Room”

It is hoped that the central city location will attract

many visitors and tourists who will be able to view

some of the finest woodturning that Ireland has to

offer.

The Dublin chapter committee is asking for your sup-

port in this project and we will keep you informed of

any further details as they arise. Please contact the

exhibition committee if you have any suggestions or

ideas relating to this exhibition.

Exhibition Committee

for 2006 Michael Fay 087-6681345 Frank Gallagher 01-4902879

Adrian Finlay 01-4527490 Tom Ford 01-4505543

Helen Mullally 01-6265771 Albert Sloane 01-2956987

Committee Members for 2006

Position Members Name Contact details

Chairman: Charles Ryan 087-6123936

Secretary: Peter Mulvaney 01-2802745 (H)

Treasurer Paddy Finn 087-9801142

Newsletter Editor: Richard Murphy 087-2958519

Competitions Secretary: Tom Delaney 087-9504690

Books / Videos John Killoran 01-4903410 (H)

Exhibition Chairman Michael Faye 087-6681345

Judges for July 2006

John Killoran John Holmes

Frank Gallagher

Larch Hill Trees

Interested in helping in Larch Hill?

Want to know more about what is happening there?

Give me a call on 4967188. Or 087-6433061.

Barry Dunne.

Page 6 Volume 1, Issue 8

Competition Winners For July 2006

Beginners (1 ) 1st Michael McNamara Experienced (4) 1st Malcolm Hill 2nd Pat Lambert 3rd Richard Murphy 4th Graham Brislane Advanced (6) 1st Colm Hyland 2nd James Gallagher 3rd Pat Walsh 4th Henry East 5th Martin O’Halloran 6th Cecil Barron

Wanted

Violin Makers Bending

iron.:

Contact

Noel Masterson

Phone: 01 4904840

Competition Results Table 2006

Page 7 Volume 1, Issue 8

Competions 2006

Total Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul

Advanced

Martin O' Halloran 82 13 11 5 9 15 9 13 7

Pat Michael Walsh 82 6 9 6 13 13 13 11 11

Albert Sloane 63 15 13 13 11 0 11 0 0

Colm Hyland 59 7 15 11 0 0 11 0 15

James Gallagher 27 0 0 0 0 0 7 7 13

Tom Forde 22 0 0 7 15 0 0 0 0

Joe Laird 18 0 13 5 0 0 0 0 0

Albert Dooley 16 9 7 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pat John Walsh 16 5 6 5 0 0 0 0 0

Michael McGee 15 0 0 15 0 0 0 0 0

Michael Fay 15 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 0

Una Sheeran 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0

Seamus O'Reilly 11 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Cecil Barron 11 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 6

Joe O'Neill 10 0 5 5 0 0 0 0 0

Sean Ryan 9 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0

Shay Nolan 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0

Henry East 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9

Experienced

Richard Murphy 80 Promoted 0 15 15 11 0 15 13 11

Pat Lambert 72 0 11 9 13 13 13 0 13

Malcolm Hill 48 13 5 6 0 0 9 0 15

John Holmes 37 0 13 0 0 15 0 9 0

Paddy Finn 33 15 9 0 9 0 0 0 0

Jonathan Wigham 28 0 0 13 15 0 0 0 0

Niall Cahill 25 0 7 0 0 0 11 7 0

Graham Brislane 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 9

Tom Delaney 19 0 6 7 0 0 0 6 0

Frank Gallagher 11 0 0 11 0 0 0 0 0

Barry Dunne 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0

Beginners

Michael McNamara 68 Promoted 0 13 0 5 11 13 11 15

John Killoran 67 Promoted 13 0 15 5 6 15 13 0

Brendan Burke 41 Promoted 0 0 0 15 15 11 0 0

John Kane 33 0 11 9 13 0 0 0 0

Chris Cahill 33 0 0 13 11 9 0 0 0

Sean Egan 27 15 0 0 5 7 0 0 0

William Hilliard 24 0 15 0 9 0 0 0 0

Martin Downey 18 0 0 11 7 0 0 0 0

Michael O'Keeffe 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0

Liz Boden 13 0 0 0 0 13 0 0 0

Joe McNally 12 0 7 0 5 0 0 0 0

Willie Reville 9 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0

Frank McGuire 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0

Fintan Savage 6 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0

Ken Kelly 5 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0

John Duff 5 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0

A Poem from Barry Dunne

Page 8 Volume 1, Issue 8

TO A TRAFFIC WARDEN

By Niall O’Rahilly

May the curse of Nell Flahertys drake

Brought up to date

Descend upon you.

May you suffer from piles and varicose veins

Which from walking for miles has brought on such pains.

May the soles of your feet become calloused and hard

May your bunions torment you and your corns prevent you

Enjoying the kick you get acting the guard.

When you first acquired power, all polish and spit

With a smart uniform – just the colour of chocolate

The power, like porter, went to your head.

You made up your mind that, living or dead

You’d get every car whose meter was red

Or better again, whose meter was fed.

You walk through the streets and note the car meters

You watch the last minutes tick swiftly away

56 – 57 – 8-9 and 60

Then you write out your ticket and the fine I must pay

You circle the car and look through the window

You look at the tax. Is it paid up to date?

You act like a cat that has just caught a mouse

You’re an ignorant pompous malevolent louse.

Page 9 Volume 1, Issue 8

Visit to Seamus Cassidy’s Workshop

A visit to Seamus Cassidy is being organised for the 30th September at acost of €25.00 per person.

This fee will include a light lunch.

Numbers will be limited to a maximum of twelve so please contact Charley Ryan as soon as possible if

you are interested in attending.

Larch Hill Competition Winners

Joe Laird (Dublin Chapter)

Pat Carroll (Gorey Chapter)

Michael Fay (Dublin Chapter)

Danny McGeevor at Larch Hill seminar “Fluffy” The European Eagle Owl

Demonstrators for 2006

August: Joe O’Neill

September: Pat Carroll

(Gorey Chapter)

Exhibition Committee for 2006

Michael Fay (Chairman) 087-6681345 Helen Mullally (Secretary) 01-6265771 Adrian Finlay 01-4527490 Tom Ford 01-4505543 Frank Gallagher 01-4902879 Albert Sloane 01-2956987

Page 10 Volume 1, Issue 8

Trade Stand at Larch Hill Seminar A special note of thanks to Sam Moore and Sam Abernathy who made the long trek from Antrim to attend our Seminar at Larch Hill. They certainly pulled out all the stops with a superb range of materials and tools and very friendly advise on all aspects of woodturning. Sam Moore had brought a huge range of exotic and native timbers and many bargains were had without to much haggling. I’m afraid I was caught red handed trying to sneak more goodies out to my car so my brownie points are at an all time low at home but I just keep blaming the woodshed for having to many must have items on dis-play.

A Great Day Out

Congratulations to all concerned on a wonderful day in Larch Hill in July. The venue was a magnificent

setting for anyone interested in wood. On top of that the organisation of everything on the day was impec-

cable. Well done to Charlie and his committee and to all those in the background who helped out. It was

just a pity that more people didn’t see the need to stay back and give a hand to clear up. Sometimes we are

inclined to take so much for granted but an event like this can’t work like clockwork unless a lot of plan-

ning and organisation is put into it.

I enjoyed the day not only because it was well organised but I got a nice dose of woodturning ideas and

even a little photography. First to the photography, I attended one of Hugh Flynn’s workshops. Though I

would claim to know a little about photography I learned a lot on the day. I’m on the lookout for a light

box like Hugh had. It made photographing turned pieces so simple but with such excellent results. All I can

say is that if you missed Hugh see him next time round. Thanks Hugh.

One of my turners is Seamus Cassidy. I just couldn’t resist going to two of his workshops. Anyone who

hasn’t been to the Northeast Chapter should give yourself a treat. Whatever the demo on the day its worth a

visit just to see Seamus’s workshop and showroom. And he’s so generous with sharing ideas and tips.

I got plenty of tips on the day in Larch Hill. I’m not going to go through everything he did on the day but

just a few of the ideas that appealed to me. Seamus turned a platter in burr elm. The blank was one of those

pieces that I might be inclined to look at and throw on the firewood heap. It was see-through in places and

there was so little in it that I would feel that by the time I had secured it in the chuck there would be little

left to turn. Not so Seamus. He simply glued a waste piece on with Superglue and turned a spigot on the

other end to remount. He textured the bottom of the piece by torching. Firstly he shaped the bottom and got

a reasonable finish with the tool – having the profile you want is the most important thing at this point. He

then scored it with a diamond pointed tool ie he put grooves about 5mm apart along most of the base. He

then took a blowtorch and blackened / burned the grooves. This was a delicate operation (he firstly cleared

the area of all shavings!) because he needed to get a fairly even blackness. He was concentrating on burn-

ing the top of the ridges rather than the bottom of the grooves. He then took an ordinary domestic scrub-

bing brush and, with the lathe turning, brushed the blackened part to spread the ‘blackness’. In this way the

bottom of the grooves became black also. (I have tried this since and I found that putting a coat of oil on at

this time and leaving it to dry sealed the black and it was less likely to ‘spread’ afterwards). He then turned

each side of the blackened section to give an edge of clean timber. This was sanded and finished in the nor-

mal way.

When the turned the inside of the platter he found he had a small section of the rim that was ‘broken’ where

a knot had fallen out. Instead of turning this out and making the rim smaller (as I might have done) he fin-

ished off the piece and then suggested that you could add significant value to the piece by ‘mending’ this

break. He suggested you could stitch a piece of leather (first soaked in superglue to harden it) or a piece of

leather shoelace across to create the impression it was holding it together. He glues the piece on first and

then drills it with a fine drill and glues wire into the holes to ‘pretend’ it is stapled on. You could also use

copper and ‘nail’ it on.

I could go on about other tips but the editor is waiting for my words of wisdom! So enough for now.

Thanks to all who had anything to do with putting a wonderful day together. Pity the weather turned wet in

the afternoon. Or was it because if it had been fine I think I would have been tempted to enjoy a wander in

the lovely grounds that the scouts made available to us. I’m looking forward to the next one.

Michael McGee

Note from Editor:

Thanks Michael for the few words!! I am still waiting for an article promised from another member but if

its anything like his navigation skills it s probably lost on the internet??

Demo Notes