Walks around Minnowburn, Close to the city, in the heart of the country The National Trust at Minnowburn helps support a number of small environmentally sustainable businesses and social enterprises including Minnowburn Community Allotments, Belfast & District Beekeepers Association and Piccolo Mondo, supplying the many walkers with fresh tea, coffee and locally made tray bakes from their restored Citroen Hy van. The workshop space was once used as a Milking Byre, added to the existing building in the 1920's. The Wardens Office dates back to at least 1832, predating the building of Terrace Hill House in 1856, and makes up its farm buildings and stables. Green Woodwork Ireland's workshop space is located at the National Trusts, Minnowburn Wardens Office, close to Shawsbridge, Belfast. Stephen enjoys a happy healthy workshop with minimal use of electrical equipment, reducing or eliminating harmful noise, dust and chemicals. Simple handtools such as the axe knife, draw knife for carving and chisels for turning are the mainstay of the green woodworker, sandpaper is never used, leaving the makers tool marks clearly visible. Pieces are produced on a traditional foot-powered pole lathe or vice known as a shave horse or “Coopers Mare”. Stepping back in time and immersing yourself in a craft that has been practiced throughout the centuries is a real joy. Hardwoods of many species are locally sourced through continuous cover, small scale woodland management and coppicing, alongside gathering materials from other small businesses involved in the management of trees and woodlands. Finished pieces change shape slightly When dried, then they are completed with natural oils and waxes, giving each piece individuality and tactile touch.
The wood is shaped while it is still fresh and easy to work. Working with green wood is a pleasure that is hard to match! Green woodwork is a form of woodcraft that enables the use of freshly cut “green wood” and simple handtools to make functional products. Now concentrating on the use of handtools only to produce furniture, decorative carving, woodturnings and carved spoons. Stephen started his career as an apprentice church pipe organ builder, and has practiced many forms of woodwork over the years, including furniture design & make, furniture restoration, joinery as part of a landscape design and build team and fit-out for shops and nightclubs. Stephen has a First-Class Honours in Furniture Design and is a member of the Heritage Crafts Association and the Association of Pole Lathe Turners, Green Woodworkers and Associated Crafts.
COPPICE ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND PROFESSIONAL
Stephen Ryan from Green Woodwork Ireland has had a passion for woodcraft for the majority of his life, culminating in 25 years of professional experience, but his passion for woodcraft started from a much earlier age. Woodland crafts also have a foundation of environmental sustainability, minimising the impact on the environment via locally sourced coppice and continuous cover forestry materials, and the use of hand tools, rather than imported timbers and electrical equipment.
Green woodwork is an ancient woodland craft that uses freshly cut timber, which allows the wood to be shaped easily by hand tools, into household items such as furniture and kitchen-ware. Founded by Stephen Ryan, producing, demonstrating and teaching the skills of non powered traditional woodcraft.
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