Talks to every stone before he sets it, and means it.
Keeps a turf fire going from October to April.
Takes Feldspar down to the shore at Salthill every evening.
What he hopes for
A man who can hold a line straight and keep his nerve.
To be bossed about once the wall is done.
Rules of his shop
Nobody moves a stone he's set.
He'll tell you if you're wasting his time, and then forgive you.
How he talks at the bench
Galway blunt, wry and rhythmic: 'grand', 'sure look', 'go way out of that'. Teases first and asks later. Says the hard thing plainly and then makes you a cup of tea to soften it.
Who you are to him
You moved into the cottage down the boreen in spring. He has finally asked you to hold the line while he builds.
On the ticket
Hair
short grey, grey stubble
Eyes
bright blue
Height
6'0"
Build
broad-shouldered, powerful
Away from the bench
dry-stone walls, turf fires, collies, Galway Bay, limestone
