Once a month, montecarlow.com will interview a local business owner in articles titled, Carlow Business Spotlight. The aim is to make both locals and readers outside Carlow aware of the products and services available in the county. This month, Peter Heary Woodcraft takes over the spotlight.

What is the nature of your business?

I make simple, honest products, one off pieces using, where possible, traditional methods. This can range from a stool to a cabinet, a sculptural piece to a functional item and everything in between. At this stage I am not really offering any particular line of products or design, although I hope to change that in the future. I work mainly on commission, if a client wants an item made then I provide that item to their specifications and likes, thus the client can have a very personal, unique item created.

My market is literally anyone, particularly those however whom appreciate the time, effort, skill and pride that goes into a piece of furniture being made, young or old.

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Where are you based?

I am living in, and working from home, which is Graiguecullen, Carlow. I’m fortunate enough to have a decent sized, well kitted out workshop thats been built up over a number of years, so, for the time being that’ll do.

Peter Heary Woodcraft Workshop

Tell us about yourself

Well, I was/am born and bred in Graiguecullen, I attended St.Fiaccs primary school and then later the Carlow Vocational School. I suppose it was when I entered secondary that I got my first real taster of woodwork, as it was of course a mandatory subject. So it was here that I got the opportunity to create items in a fully kitted out workshop environment under the guidance of some very knowledgeable teachers. Having finished in secondary I undertook a one year FETAC course in ‘Furniture Making & Design’ in the Carlow Institute of Further Education.

My last stint of education was a four year honours degree course of ‘Industrial Design’ in Carlow IT. Which although was detached in many aspects to the traditional skills of woodworking did give me a great insight, understanding and experience of the design world and its workings. I could in some regard be accused of turning my back on what I had learned in college, that being a very fast paced, electronic world of Industrial Design, to persue a more basic, hands on, career working with wood.

Although I’ve studied woodwork in secondary and for a year afterwards I’d like to think that I am for the most part self thought and am just expressing a natural talent that I have built up over a number of years and learned through trial and error. Making these items takes a lot of time and thus you develop a bond of sorts with the item you are working on, pride in your work will ensure that you will end up with a finely finished object. However, a pride in tools, equipment and your work environment is also essential.

Apart from that I’m very interested in history, collecting and work on a voluntary basis in the Carlow Military Museum. Try the odd bit of oil painting and love tackling DIY tasks.

What plans do you have for the business?

I’d like to venture into more sculptural pieces and draw in more Irish or Gaelic influence into my work, thus creating objects that are very fresh and contemporary, yet still retaining very simple values through both design and craftsmanship, most importantly items that are very unique! At some stage its also something that I would like to teach and try and pass the skill onto others or at least make them aware of it as I believe there is a growing interest in the crafts now that people have more time on their hands.

How can you be contacted?

Peter Heary Woodcraft

5 Sleatty Street, Graiguecullen, Carlow

085 7564874

p3_carlow@hotmail.com

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montecarlow.com wishes Peter the very best in his business venture. If you are a business owner or you know of a business deserving of the Carlow Business Spotlight, then get in touch, info@montecarlow.com.