Pádraigh Mac An Fhaillghigh was our host,
at his extensive workshop near Mallow, for the January meeting of the
chapter. He first produced a lovely lamp
in yew doing much of the work with the much-maligned skew chisel. Such was his dexterity with the skew that he
had a number of members promising to take it up again and to persist.
Pádraigh then went on to turn rings from
which he made a seven-branched candelabrum, known as the
"Menorah" and described in great detail in Exodus. It now plays no significant role in Judaism but
is well recognised as an historical symbol.
Whilst our host was busy turning his second ring some
of the lads – you know the sort; they usually go to the back of the bus – were
having a bit of fun and decided to elevate Brian McAdoo to sainthood.
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| St. Brian |
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| United Chairmen, Bob Cosgrave, Kerry and John Ahern, Cork |
The January competition was for a lamp and
was judged by guest turners from the Kerry Chapter. The Chairman, John Ahern for a beautiful
replica miners’ lamp, complete with authentic brass fittings, won the Advanced
section. Second place went to Jerry
Twomey for his barley twist lamp.
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| John Ahern's Miners Lamp |
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| Gerry Twomey receiving his Second Place certificate from John Ahern |
The Intermediate section was won by Bill
O’Mahony with Brian Goulding a close second, whilst Michael Bouchier won the
Beginners.
The demonstration ended with the
irrepressible Paddy Lynch making a laminated lamp.
We were, as usual, well treated and fed by
Pádraigh and his wife, Catherine, to both of whom we are very grateful.
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| Paddy Lynch |
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| Paddy's Lamp |