Traditional methods draw the tourists and keep a roof over James’s head

An age-old skill being perfected by James Lee is ensuring the imposing Co Limerick village of Adare maintains its picture-postcard image.

James, a professional thatcher, from Ballyorgan, Co Limerick, has just completed re-roofing of the village’s famous thatch cottages with reed cut from the banks of the Shannon.

Each day, hundreds of visitors stop to marvel at the thatch cottages that give the heritage village an olde worlde appeal.