We had about 40 people at our October event in Tony Farrell’s wonderful workshop on Saturday, 25^th October last.  Our guest turner was the popular and gregarious Liam O’Neill whose name is for many years almost synonymous with woodturning in Ireland.  Liam didn’t disappoint.

He started the demonstration with a simple bowl.  There was scarcely a member present who hasn’t made several bowls of different sizes and shapes over the years but by the time Liam was finished everybody present agreed that they had learned something.  Our guest is, perhaps, one of the best demonstrators in Ireland today.  During the whole day he never took up a tool without explaining why he had shaped into what it was and telling us why he was using it.  He never presented a tool to the wood without explaining at what angle he was doing it, from what he position he was starting and where he expected to finish the cut.  Because Tony has a superb dust extraction system Liam was able to go right through the finishing process; he introduced the products he was using and outlined their benefits and shortcomings, including how to overcome the latter. 

Interspersed with interesting slide-shows of some of Liam’s “big” projects, including building a concrete lathe and chainsaw turning, he went on to demonstrate a beautifully designed bowl with a wide rim that was undercut and then on to his piéce de résistance, a lovely box, made from redwood burr with an ebony lip on both the main box and the cover.

It was a most satisfactory day and all members present, including some visitors from our neighbouring Kerry Chapter, went home well satisfied with their day.

It would be remiss of me not to mention the scrumptious lunch Tony, Alice and their team of helpers served up.  The lunch alone was worth more than the cost of the workshop.  Tony is famous for his cooked leg of ham and he didn’t disappoint.  The dessert could be chosen from a wide variety of home-cooked goodies and I’m afraid many diets were set aside and doctors’ orders for some of us widely ignored.  Thank you Tony, Alice and team.  Have you guessed yet why some of us NEVER miss a workshop in Waterfall?

In anticipation of Liam’s box – he had done a similar one at the National Seminar in Sligo – the competition for the month was a box.  The winners were:  Beginners:  1st - Pat Dromey, 2nd - Christy Fitzgerald and 3rd - Rita Murphy.  Intermediate:  1st - Jim O'Donovan and 2nd - Hugh Garrett.  Advanced:  1st - Peter Manning, 2nd - Ger Hennessy and 3rd - Dave Lee. 

Chapter Chairman, John Ahern, shares the joke as he introduces Liam O'Neill

Liam makes his point.

Finished cherry bowl.

Competition winners for October.

Peter Manning with his winning box.

Liam's box in redwood burr and ebony.

The cake with the I.W.G. emblem.

Some of the desserts served at the workshop.

I.W.G. President, Willie Creighton (front row, second from left) , came all the way from Mayo to be with us.

We can now offer one or two places on Liam O'Neill's demonstration at Tony Farrell's workshop in Waterfall on the 25th October at 10.30 a.m. to non Cork Chapter members.  If you are interested contact Mick Bouchier at mick.bouchier@gmail.com.
Any members who have reserved a place but now find that a you cannot attend please notify Mick as soon as possible so that we can offer the place to somebody else.

Liam O'Neill's demonstration at Tony Farrell's workshop in Waterfall on the 25th October at 10.30 a.m. is filling up fast. We are limited to 40. To make sure you have a place register with our Hon. Secretary, Mick Bouchier, right away.

Liam O'Neill, with a prototype of one of his projects.

Liam's exquisite box, complete.

The inside of the box.

Apologies for getting some of the competition placings wrong in the post last night. They have now been corrected.

The next workshop is at Tony Farrell's workshop in Waterfall on the 25th October at 10.30 a.m. LIam O'Neill, one of the founders of the Guild and perhaps one of the best-known turners in Ireland and with a huge following in many other countries, is the guest turner. Numbers will be limited to 40 and the cost, to include lunch (Tony is famous for his magnificent lunches), will be €20.00. Those attending should give their names to our Hon. Secretary, Michael Bouchier, as soon as possible to reserve a place.

David Lee, who, with Leo O'Donoghoe, judged the competition points out the finer points of the lamp.

David handles Ger Hennessy's prize ball while Chairman, John Ahern, keeps an eye on proceedings.

From left: Paddy O'Rourke, John Ahern, Micheál Howard, John O'Shea, Ger Hennessy, Jim Byrne and Bill O'Mahony.

Paddy Lynch's 'Chapman Twist' before final glueing.

Paddy Lynch at the lathe.

The Chapter held its September workshop at the usual venue in Togher on Saturday the 20th.  The competition was for a sphere and even though the entry was small the quality was excellent.
The "Beginners" section was won by Micheál Howard.
"Intermediate" was won by Jim Byrne with Bill O'Mahony second .
"Advanced" was won by Ger Hennessy, second was John Ahern and John O'Shea & Paddy O'Rourke were joint third. 
The first demonstrator was Paddy O'Rourke who did an intriguing box with a 'twist and spur' lockable lid.  Many experienced turners hadn't seen it before and were fascinated.
The irrepressible and highly entertaining Paddy Lynch then took over and produced his now well-known "Chapman Twist" lamp.  Paddy is well known as a straight talker but with a great sense of humour.  His way of describing things, as well as his humorous 'asides' , had the members rocking in their seats with laughter.  Yet, he produced the goods and several members left the workshop with a full set of "the makings" which Paddy had wisely prepared in the off chance that there may have been buyers for them.

Some of the attendance at the September Workshop

Paddy O'Rourke, working on the lid of his box.

The unusual (for a woodturner box at any rate) locking system.

For those who contacted Michael Pattwell with offers to contribute turned items for raffles at the coffee mornings for Marymount next Thursday just let him know if it suits you for him to call and he will collect either over the weekend or early next week. For those who haven't offered yet there is still time so spin that piece of wood and call Michael. Just call Michael on 086 2801234. Thank you all.