Hands: Shannon Boat Builder

RTÉ documentary series exploring the craft traditions of Ireland. hands.ie/
Narrated by Benedict Kiely. Filmed in 1988.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shannon...
(Apologies for poor quality in parts. Copied from an old VHS recording.)

[@pfffffffffft]

That dog laying in the wood shavings made my day.

[@MrAntifreezer]

I cannot believe the dog just sleeps through woodshavings being dropped on him like that. What a pup!

[@Lazairus]

R.I.P Jimmy Furey , May the heavens be good to you, the Shannon ones are Sailing in the Sky.

[@Peter-oh3hc]

"He was a lovely gentleman. That he was". Oh, to live a life where a man like this can say that about you. Brings tears to my eyes

[@taylorw]

Now there's as pleasing a time as I've spent on KZbin. So well told and shown.

[@lorenzoanthony6807]

instablaster

[@humblehombre9904]

That is by far, the loveliest of pictures I’d ever watched. That brings home a feeling deep inside of fishing with me dad and me brother. God love you all.

[@JR-fd8eq]

What a wonderful man, a true craftsman. Those boats were works of art. Thank you for putting this on KZbin.

[@jackelectron6897]

The sound that very sharp chisels and wood planes make is music to the ears, to be able to read wood grain to gain strength and flexibility the man has huge talent. It was a pleasure to watch, thank you.

[@MrMigido]

I can smell the scent as the shavings curl away. Very good filming.

[@iansmith6086]

I cry when I think about the hand tools we threw away after my grandfather passed away. You could build anything by hand back in the days❤

[@stevenkettle3143]

The old boy has certainly got some graft in him, and a large amount of skill. He puts most of us today to shame, lovely to see.

[@carpespasm]

This series is interesting as much for it's technical skill being shown in the titular "hands" of these craftsmen and women as it is for the human stories you can glean from what they choose to talk about that isn't just aimed at what they're making. The brother who ran off to the merchant marines and came home, the personal philosophy that one is best dead in short order when they're no longer able to look after themselves, the eyes of the middle-aged "helper" trying to glean the skill of his elders, the choice of what breed of dogs are best, even the way an old man almost openly talking about his mortality grabs a hot board and skips around like a kid, piping hot plank in hand. Every one of these shows alludes to countless stories that only brush up against the boat, the clay pot, or the reed baskets being made in them. The world could do with more shows like this.

[@bretdouglas9407]

carpespasm bravo

[@TheChipmunk2008]

@@bretdouglas9407 yes, 100%

[@seanwalker5157]

Aye

[@briansinclair8320]

Well said

[@Jaguartmb]

This series fills me with awe and sadness. Nowadays everything is driven by making money, but then it seemed like there was more to life. Many of these individuals are not highly educated, but it would seem they have found happiness and are content. They enjoy the small things in life. Their hands produce beautiful things. The balance has been lost. But, it will return oneday soon.

[@barkebaat]

4:57 - The dog snoring in the shavings is beautiful.

[@TheChipmunk2008]

HELL YES

[@MyRallyChannel]

wish i could be him

[@OmmerSyssel]

These dogs are very social & prefer staying along their owner. A quick snooze is always a good thing..

[@barkebaat]

@@OmmerSyssel - 'arrig' er et dansk/norsk ord ... eller er jeg på villspor ?

[@OmmerSyssel]

@@barkebaat du kan i nogle tilfælde anvende vild istedet for arrig. Måske endda bersærk.. 😎 Så er vi ved jo pludselig ved en del af baggrunden for vores fælles nordisk/engelske kulturarv 💪🐑🐎⛵ 🍻 Skål Nordman(d)

[@hughwinterbottom3700]

This is the pace of life i am trying to achieve with my art this film is a inspiration

[@benji.B-side]

My father was a craftsman with wood and made many things. This was wonderful to see and watch him work wood, like I watched my father do as a kid. He took pride in his tools as much as he took pride in his work!! I loved watching this!!! : )

[@anvilstudio5279]

Remarkable! On top of all his amazing skills he made his own plane, for the mast, and still has time to make models. Great vid thank you! Bless you Jimmy - farmer, craftsmen, sailor.

[@brimstone33]

The beauty of the precision and efficiency with which Jimmy shapes and joins that wood can come only from a person not only well-practiced but also filled with a certain love for what one does and for the thing one creates.

[@Antipodean33]

Thank God someone took the time and made the effort to document this man. We in this modern era are so far removed from being anywhere even close to the men of this era in so many ways.

[@markgibney4835]

You can read about the couple who made this short documentary, David and Sally Shaw-Smith in an article in the Irish Times from May 28th 2013. They sound like wonderful people. They made a whole series of films on crafts they called Hands.

[@bertcanepa5651]

Video watching this craftsman work with those hand tools makes utube value........such human spirit!

[@ratroddiesels1981]

this presentation was one of the finest and most enjoyable programmes we have ever viewed . our thanks to those involved in making it.

[@K-Effect]

Absolute beautiful old-time craftsmanship

[@Mftw767]

Greetings from co limerick.. jimmy was a real craftsman..a gentleman.RIP

[@HowardFarms1]

Yes rip to Jimmy Furey. I will miss his help and insight he gave me while repairing my fishing boat.

[@bigunone]

They used to show these on the local PBS station in the late 80s, I used to make sure I was home so I could watch. This program and one called Connections were two of the first programs I searched for when I first got on line. Thank you for posting them

[@geraldneary1948]

Are very good stuff.

[@OmmerSyssel]

Fascinating how most of this pretty Hull is build by hand. Lots of traditional terms are still used in Scandinavian boat building, e.g. "Klink". These Viking boat building terms are still traceable along their Voyage routes. As far as Spain. The ideal 18' length for a small sailing boat were chosen as well by Utzon constructing his canonical Ålborg Jolle, especially for Danish Seascouts.

[@Roman67usmc]

Who are the 24 dislikes. No appreciation for true craftsmanship

[@peterleffler2062]

1000th like was mine. Wonderful craftsmanship and they look like a lot of sailing fun.

[@westcoast9651]

Seeing this gentleman building his boats entirely by hand shows a know-how that has disappeared today 🙏

[@christeague7596]

A master craftsman for sure.....what a guy.....

[@cricciethcastle5077]

What a wonderful and very moving documentary. Thank you so much for posting this.

[@joelkoonce8559]

Our hats off to you Jimmy. Top job Mate, a true craftsman and sailor. From your Neighbors across the pond.

[@kevinjamesdawes7223]

Finest thing I've ever seen from a man's hands. Mind the last 6 weeks were hard on the beetle car from that last shot.

[@scottyelder8351]

I've watched this over a dozen times it's just beautiful isn't it . Jimmy We love you 🙏🏻 God bless all the righteous Children Of The Stars ✨ ✝️

[@TerryTerryTerry]

Brilliant series - thank you.

[@TonyBongo869]

Crossed the Shannon downstream of Limerick on the ferry three weeks ago, very windy day, very cool trip!

[@niallleslie7419]

Thank you for a superb video! back in Scotland 50+ years ago I used to have a wood Albacore.

[@markbird1965]

Wonderful wee craft, expertly created...

[@craiganderson8232]

That was wonderful thankyou its a life l wanted for so long, nice to see it happening for someone, what an amazing personality.

[@iceman7975]

Beautiful boats,enviable craftsmanship.

[@lynchs2441]

Thanks for sharing this with us!

[@trafalgar22a8]

Thank you so much for a lovely docoumentary.

[@stephenrice4554]

He made a beautiful boat with some good help and a pair of dogs . God let him play in a workshop with good timber 👍🇬🇧

[@electrogb]

Loving these films. Thanks for sharing 🙂

[@briantneary2248]

4:58 That pup has been a part of many a boat build, I'd wager.

[@rockcrusher4636]

Excellent, as always, thank you.

[@Sidetrackification]

Excellent, A fine sailing craft, isn't that what it's all about!

[@alohathaxted]

After Aughrim's great disaster, When our foe in sooth was master, Twas you that first rushed in and swam the Shannon's boiling flood. And through Slieve Bloom's dark passes You led your gallowglasses, Although the hungry Saxon wolves were howling for our blood. And as we crossed Tipp'rary, We raised the clan O'Leary And drove a creagh before them, as their horsemen onward came. With our spears and swords we gored them, As through flood and light we bored them, Ah, but Sean O'Duibhir an Gleanna, we were worsted in the game

[@dkcorderoyximenez3382]

Another great video...thank you...

[@corneliusdejong6490]

Just fascinating! These technical skill!

[@jurgenlauterbach7226]

Very nice boat. Excellent work.

[@wailinburnin]

Truly beautiful video!

[@jacobtaylor4258]

how i have longed for that simple life.

[@treesbliss]

Soul refreshing ... Thank you Sir! Thank you @snadhghus!

[@gregbolitho9775]

aww man, thats exactly what its about! keep up the excellent work m8s!

[@jenssirbensonmam4822]

Pictures like from a fairy tale. Love this video!

[@derekmsmith4175]

Really enjoyed that what a man

[@carmelpule6954]

At 10:41 he says the gunnel strip meets the garboard strake. I believe the garboard strake is the one next to a ship's keel

[@TermiteUSA]

"The gunnel adds strength to the garboard strake and completes the hull." That is indeed a remarkable statement. Look at the bend thru 90° of the centerline at the stem and bow. Beautiful woodwork.

[@ronaldbalistreri2415]

You are correct. The top strake is called the sheer strake and on sailboats is often made of a tougher wood to hold the chainplates for the rigging. See Howard Chapell's Boat Building

[@uxtalzon]

Those two good boy labs.

[@MALKooTH]

Lucky to own a boat like that

[@arthurmorris5770]

Simply Beautiful

[@carryonpompei]

Lovely, thank you.

[@JenkinsBoatWorks]

what a great show!

[@GunTech]

Old and tough. Like my father he is, so he is. :)

[@Antipodean33]

Same here mate, my old man went into the merchant navy at 14, ended up bombed in WW2, 4 years German pow. If i was half as tough as he was I'd be well proud

[@artdecco8617]

A True survivalist with Incredible Talent...........

[@howardinothegreat136]

Awesome man😀👍🇳🇴

[@burntorangeak]

I would've worked with this fellow, And picked up the line after him.

[@paulhammersley4562]

nice boat and a nice bloke,

[@lordmerren9094]

That's what is wrong with the boats I build. I don't wear a sports jacket and tie when I work.

[@markgibney4835]

Ha! Back then men had a suit for church on Sunday, and when that got shabby they wore it to work during the week, and got a new Sunday suit.

[@frederickbowdler8169]

hardworking people.😊 a good example.

[@fedorminginovic178]

Это можно смотреть бесконечно.

[@charliebowen5071]

Jimmys hair is epic

[@andrewcowman8731]

What an amazing documentary which should be re shown. RTE sadly so stupid not nor update.

[@toats-mcgoats1833]

That dudes a boss!!

[@plasticbucket]

Amazing what he can fashion from a piece of timber . B

[@chrismccartney8668]

Woodworking skills !

[@exoplanet11]

I second your comment!

[@mikekennedy5470]

BRAVO.. TO THE BOAT BUILDER...

[@PeopleMakePictures]

Amazing guy

[@jplaw2508]

Yes, that's what it's all about.

[@brendancoughlan3487]

The dog is the co-star

[@325aliceI]

Who started to reach for the tracking knob...? Lol

[@melissashaw-smith8046]

@t Sad that you feel it unnecessary to acknowledge the filmmakers, David and Sally Shaw-Smith who devoted their lives to making the Hands documentaries, or ask their permission to post these copyrighted films.

[@nigelwylie01]

Where can I watch them legally? And give credit to your relations? This is a wonderful series, and I would like to give them all the credit they deserve.

[@garychynne1377]

learnt a lot

[@mark211257]

Wow ! ❤

[@maxdecphoenix]

The guy who lives next to these guys has a boatwright and a sailor living in the same house as neighbors... I got a boomer who can't fix his own fucking lawnmower and another boomer who doesn't even know which office to call to patch holes in the road.. Thank God for youtube and broadcasting these skills, because the post war generation couldn't make toast!

[@jakmak1199]

Jimmy did complete the miniture boat and took on an apprentice and she made her own boat under Jimmy's guidence. See it here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4STdKx9ZZh-bK8

[@humanfirst11]

How old is the actual video footage?

[@hanoitripper1809]

How does one make their own curved plane? Skills

[@sblack48]

Any idea what year this was made?

[@owenmartin3307]

The only power tool he knew about was the power in his arms and hands.

[@rjmun580]

Apart from the electric drill and the engine powered planer..........

[@highlandpaddy2756]

Check this film out about an old fiddler from Donegal who makes things from old pallets.

[@highlandpaddy2756]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqSnhaxoq557d9k

[@user-ib3qb5zn8u]

Reason to build wooden boat this for fan ? , or poor ?

[@davidcullen1956]

seen a man hunting ducks with a Labrador. He had a Shillelagh in one hand and was whistleing with the other. Under the command of the man the dog would round up the ducks and cut one out, head it off to shore were the man did the business. They got a good few

[@johndavies9641]

Well don jimy.

[@user-re3zl1uj2c]

My family owned a beetle at the time Volvo was Mhhh, off the hook, I felt very inferior each time we came across it little did I know then that I would value and love our beetle than any car,

[@staxter6]

Is it "She Moved Through the Fair" or not?

[@richardluca8562]

I wish I could shake his hand

[@boufontleflamingoetta8433]

No one could call him lazy.

[@scabbycatcat4202]

A beautiful film and a real historical document. But I simply do not understand how a clincker built boat is actually waterproof. Just because you rivet two pieces of wood together how does that make a waterproof, leakproof seal ? I could understand it if there was adhesive on each plank b4 they were riveted , but there isn't !!

[@geebee3d]

The wood absorbs some water initially, then swells, and mostly seals itself. I would suspect the Shannon’s still weep a little while out for a sail.

[@jjoo6229]

and VW aficionado.

[@robertsroberts1688]

a bit of a discrepency when it comes to the man named morgan jones he was welsh not english and was a politician for the south wales labour party all othe facts are correct

[@martinryan1071]

Morgan GILES .

[@MultiFloormaster]

is Jimmy still alive 🤔