Spinning wheel donated to famine village in memory of 'beloved' Limerick teacher

A REPRODUCTION of a 19th-century spinning wheel, created in Limerick nearly four decades ago as a school project, has found a new home at the Doagh Famine Village.

David Brennan, a graduate of Crescent College Comprehensive, built the spinning wheel in 1987 for his Leaving Certificate project under the guidance of his late teacher, Donal Lynch.

David, who recently returned from Philadelphia with his husband for a visit to the Emerald Isle, donated the wheel to the Donegal heritage site in memory of Mr Lynch.

He described the teacher as “beloved and widely respected... like many other teachers at Crescent College Comprehensive”.

As well as Mr Lynch's support and guidance, David received expert instruction in woodturning from Jim Doody of Abbeyfeale, who taught him how to shape the legs, spokes, supports and spindle.

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David's research also took him to Carndonagh, Co Donegal where he spent time with Master Craftsman and renowned spinning wheel builder, James Sheils of Bridge Street.

The spinning wheel was formally presented to Pat Doherty, owner of the Doagh Famine Village.

There, it will be displayed as part of the centre’s efforts to “preserve and share Ireland’s cultural history”.

David said he chose the famine village because it lost “so many artifacts in a devastating fire” in May of this year.

An “extensive” part of the village was destroyed by fire on Saturday, May 3, but thanks to volunteers and donations, it reopened on Wednesday, May 21.

The tourist attraction's website states that, despite losing parts of the displays, “we remain committed to rebuilding and preserving these important cultural stories”.