The chap who has done some of the most amazing repairs (although that word doesn’t quite cover it) for me was the son of the local tinsmith. I vaguely remember him but he would be proud of his son’s skills.
Seeing as the first video came from these shores and or those that may be interested, RTÉ (Raidió Teilifís Éireann) Ireland's national broadcaster recorded a number of program's documenting Ireland's dying crafts in the 70's and 80's. "Hands" was the title and it covered some 40 episodes. Some are available on YouTube and other on the RTÉ Player.
Some folk will have already seen this video. Full record for 'DA MAKKIN O' A KESHIE' (1127) - Moving Image Archive catalogue
I haven't looked through all videos yet, just the first one, and thinking of the sheer amount of time to make one lantern for a candle, it really makes you wonder what the cost would have been back then, and how much was the cost of living?. Also those skills have probably been lost and it just goes to show how much could be created without electricity or precision tooling. Fascinating as an engineer I really do wonder whether it would be possible to eek out a living creating handmade items like this these days and get off the rat race.
