SEPTEMBER 2007

Thatched cottage on the Isle of Doagh

Raymond Doherty has enlisted the help of renowned thatcher Paddy Loughrey from Quigley's Point to repair the roof of his wife's family home, which is situated in the Doaghmore area of the Isle of Doagh. The cottage, which sits at the edge of the water bed overlooks Trawbreaga Bay. It belonged to the Doherty family and has been uninhabited since Raymond and his family moved out over 25 years ago. They are determined not to let the house go to ruin.

Raymond said: "We had to block off the road in order to do the thatching. It's not very often you see a road block in the Isle of Doagh! It will take about a week and a half to two weeks to do a really proper job. Paddy and his wife Anne Marie work as a tam and they are really professional."

The roof has to be thatched using lint, which is pulled by hand. It is tied in bundles and put on in layers. The Isle of Doagh remains one of the few areas in Inishowen which can boast a number of thatched cottages. The Dohertys neighbouring house, owned by Stephen McDaid, is also thatched.

Raymond believes the thatch and the beauty of the island is very much part of its appeal. He said: "I always say, if anybody wants to know what heaven looks like, come to the Isle of Doagh. It's the greatest place on earth. The house is a great tourist attraction. There's always someone taking photos."

The cost of thatching a house is in the region of €6,000, 90 per cent of which is grant aided. Paddy Loughrey is one of only a handful of thatchers from Inishowen. Cottages have to be thatched every seven years.

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