Our fellow Cork Chapter member, Jim Byrne, (Phone 087 2430765) has acquired a good sized yew tree and would be willing to sell some of it on to fellow members. Contact Jim directly. The tree is felled for a bit less than a year - he thinks about 9 months.  Jim lives in the Glanmire area.

On Monday, 27^th July 2015 seventeen members of the Cork Chapter travelled to Rathvilly, Co. Carlow to visit the sawmill and Bunbury Boards manufacturing plant at Lisnavagh House.  We were met on arrival by Mr. William Bunbury, the managing director, who gave a most interesting talk about the history of the fine old house, built in 1847 – 1849 and of the Bunbury family who have been there since the 16^th century.

At the plant we were treated to an excellent light lunch.  Cheryl, a very knowledgeable young lady who was well able to answer all our questions, then conducted us through the operation, from the planking of the trees to the finished product. 

As well as cutting boards of various sizes they now produce a range of bowls as well – through the work of an excellent woodturner, Willie MacHutcheon.  Willie demonstrated the rough turning of large blanks, which he then cored, using the Oneway coring system, and made ready for kiln drying.  To say we were impressed is a gross understatement.

Despite the fact that the people at Lisnavagh treated us very hospitably it was felt that the day wouldn’t be complete without a stopover on the way home for our evening meal and an assessment of the day.  We called to Lawlors Hotel in Dungarvan where the proprietor, Mr. Mick Burke (A Cork County footballer of note in his day) made sure that we were well fed and well treated.

We are very grateful to our Hon. Secretary, Mick Bouchier, for organising the day.  We have a special word of thanks too to the 37^th Cork Scout Group (Togher) who lent us their mini-bus for the day.  That made all the difference because we were able to travel together, thus adding to the enjoyment (and the slagging too of course).

Planking there logs

John Ahern and David Lee admire some of the Bunbury bowls.

Resident woodturner, Willie MacHutcheon, coring with the Oneway coring system.

The travelling group.