As one of the first tools created by man, the knife is still a vital item for us today: whether in the private kitchen, in fine dining or in the great outdoors. Knives sometimes last for generations – an approach that is also important to Gleeson.
The irish knife maker uses almost forgotten raw materials for his creations: his blades are made from wrought iron wagon wheels, Whieskey barrel straps or ship anchor chains. The wood for his handles comes from exotic branches, abandoned orchards or storm-damaged trees. However, working with recycled materials also has its perils – hidden inclusions often only come to light in the very last steps of production.
© Courtesy of the artist
Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?
I live on the west coast of Ireland in County Clare. Somewhere in between the market town of Ennistymon and the beach town of Lahinch. My workshop is in an old agricultural shed in our garden, we have an old farm house. Near that farm house is a bit of land surround by forest forest and my neighbours are a good distance away.
Do you have a favourite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?
My big passion in life is surfing. We live a 10min drive away from some incredible waves and a wonderful, surf community. That means that water time for me is my relaxation.
When there’s no waves, I like to go walking or cycling. I have a young family. So I spend a lot of my free time juggling the kids or exploring in the woods with them.
The Cliffs of Moher are the most famous land mark where we live. Away from the main visitor centre, there are some wonderful walks and views up there. There are also places like the Bridges of Ross and Loop Head. They are a short drive away and totally free to roam rugged coastline. It is absolutely stunning when there are waves crashing and howling wind.
© Lahinch tourism office
Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?
Personally, environmental issues are very close to my heart. Where we live, particularly sea water quality, like much of Europe, there has been a lot come to light. Recently about run off problems into rivers and water courses or poor management. The rivers can really suffer with run off from all the farmland. I joined the environmental campaign group Surfers Against sewage. Back in 1995 after getting sick too many times. Surfing in polluted water and as a result, I chose to study environment chemistry at university. I find it rather sad that we are still facing these problems nearly 30 years later.
In your opinion, what has developed well in the last 5 years – and what has not?
Surfing has exploded in Ireland in the last 5 years. Ireland is such a warmly welcoming country. I believe that people find it a unique experience to come here and surf. The young kids growing up, have had some really positive inspirations in the last generation of surfers. I love watching all the girls and boys so excited by the waves. It reminds me of when I first got hooked on surfing. I just wanted to spend all day in the sea. No matter what the waves were like – pure joy!
Planning of housing can be a bit of a let-down sometimes here in Ireland. Growing communities need not just housing, but more schools, creches, shops, amenities, playgrounds and it feels very slow. With the left-over drama of the economic crash here back in 2008 it feels like Ireland still needs to address some key issues to really support rural communities well.
Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers – whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?
Eamon O’Sullivan of Hewn Spoons lives a few miles down the road and is an exceptional carver of spoons and wooden delights, his work sells all around the world and is much coveted by many of the top restaurants and chefs in Ireland.
Emmanuelle Stone is a guitar maker of fine skill and I love watching what he’s up to, another fine woods person.
Rowena Sheen is a local jeweller who’s work I love, bringing together Irish hardwoods and precious metals, really wonderful details in her pieces.
Food wise, we have the wonderful Hugo’s in Lahinch which is an incredible bakery, Moy Hill Farm and Lunasa Farm are 2 great organic farm producers with little shops for incredible veg and meat.
© Hewn
Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?
There is a Steiner ethos primary school in our area that has been running for many years and has brought all sorts f weird and wonderful families to the area looking for something a bit different for their children. Those parents have in turn set up business and more which has given a quite unique take on a rural Irish community.
Couple this with a wealth of international surfers (myself included) who have come to area for waves and have stayed, married, had kids, opened businesses etc then there a real interesting jumble of people for a little place set on a wild, rough coastline
Do you have a secret restaurant tip that you would like to share with us?
There’s a wonderful place opened up a short drive away called Homestead Cottage in Doolin run by Robbie and Sophie McCauley – quality, local seasonal produce, great tasting menus and a beautiful atmosphere.
© Homestead Cottage
Is there a local shop whose products are only available in your region?
The Green Room surf school & shop in Lahinch has a wonderful range of eco-surf brands as well as great surf lessons, all sorts of great bits of kit and is run by some of the areas most experienced surfers and bodyboaders with a wealth of knowledge about local surf.
© The Green Room
What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?
I try not to spend too much time on my phone, but handy things include the YR weather app, I love listening to a diverse mix of music when I work and find a French station called Radio FIP or BBC 6 music particularly good and are found on the Radio France and BBC Sounds apps.
I do use Instagram for my work but I have a real love hate relationship with it – there’s a great community of makers, crafters and artists out there that I chat to and share ideas with, but I find it a little soul destroying feeling the pressure to post content to keep my work being seen.
Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?
My mother in law is an absolute fiend for the news, she always has the radio on, is reading news papers or watching her favourite Al Jazeera news on TV so she is my oracle for information and debate – I have found if I personally immerse myself in daily news and media is very overwhelming for my headspace and doesn’t lead to good thoughts, so I prefer to keep my main interest in political, social and cultural on a more local level and try help for some positive changes.
© Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada, Dough Castle, Lahinch (506407) (26828707473)CC BY 2.0
Imagine you could be mayor for a year – what would you change?
Im actually trying to set up a community based arts, crafts and cookery school at the moment – I’m a big advocate of the power of learning to use and make with your hands and mind, I fear we all disappear too quickly into our phones or computers and we are forgetting the joys of getting our hands dirty – so if I was mayor I’d get everyone involved in skill sharing programmes and try to enrich our community and bring about some stronger bonds and experiences for the younger ages to see what can be possible outside of a mainstream education plan.
One last question: If you could choose another place to live – regardless of financial or time constrains – which one would you choose?
Hmmmm, I’ve been lucky to live in a good few places over the years as well as lots of travelling – I used to live in a self built house on the beach in west Africa for a while which was pretty amazing.
If we are talking true ‘no constraints’ then I’d actually throw a bit of time travel in the mix and go live in Indonesia or Hawaii in the 1970s I think – get some serious surf exploration before the crowds, enjoy some island paradise before the masses arrived.
If time travel isn’t allowed then it would have to be New Zealand for me, I’ve wanted to go for a long time now – even had a plane ticket and visa ready to go at one point but family health matters kept me at home and the opportunity passed. I love the idea of a place that has everything from the extreme of snowy mountain through to tropical jungle and everything in between, one day I hope to do an extended holiday there with my family and explore with my kids.
© Courtesy of the artist
