About Us

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Seán Boyle, my Dad, was born in 1937 in rural Ireland. He lived and grew up in the same small stone, three roomed cottage he was born in. With a bedroom either end of the cottage, the central room was dominated by a fire, the only source of heat and where all cooking was done. At one point there was eleven people living in the cottage. There was no running water on tap so daily treks to the pump were essential, there was always a large pot of water simmering on the fire. 

As you can maybe imagine, with the fire being so essential it was lit everyday. Turf cut from the nearby bog, stacked and dried, wood felled in the nearby forest and seasoned along with the occasional sack of coal was burnt. The region, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, produced some of the best coal in all of Europe, Anthracite, but as money was so scarce it was a luxury. Working the local mine was pretty much the only work you could get; tough, dangerous and unforgiving work!

Keeping the chimney clean in the cottage was essential. Chimney fires were far more common back then and the way the chimney used to be swept was simple, effective and done frequently. There were no rods and brushes for the chimney sweep, so strong yet slightly flexible branches cut from a tree were tied to the end of a rope, a weight on the other end. The weighted end was then dropped down the chimney and the rope and branches pulled through from the bottom. This would be repeated a few times until the chimney was cleaned.  

Back then you did everything yourself, including the chimney sweep. You rarely got in a tradesman so you learnt how to do things. Skills, techniques and knowledge was passed down through the generations, families, friends and neighbours worked together. 

I learnt from Dad. I used to watch him cleaning the chimney at home when I was only small, he was meticulous, very clean and tidy. Dad doesn’t sweep anymore, but he passed down his knowledge and skills to me, he also gave me some of his old rods, which still get used today. He gave me a great work ethic, a desire to always deliver the best service possible and be warm and honest. 

I really enjoy my sweeping. Each chimney presents a unique challenge and nothing pleases me more knowing it’s swept well and I’ve left everything clean and tidy. I’m proud of Sean Boyle and Son, traditional local chimney swee