Roof construction: (12) raking or combing down finished thatching with the ráca. Besides the three exposed scollops used over the boibins (the comb) often ornamentation is applied such as above. (13) Straightening the eaves with a sheep-shears. Final note: the thatcher always works with helper, who cuts scollops ready for use and carries themp up the ladder (the thatcher himself twists and shapes lubán). He draws the straw (see (9)), makes boibins, and does all preparatory work, so that the thatcher is able to stay on the ladder till the completion of each stráca.

Roof construction: (11) finishing last straca: thatcher must work to his left; though he works always to his right oterwise. When starting or finishing thatching scollops are bent over and driven down between gable and side of straca, thus giving protection against thatch being lifted by the weather (note: this drawing shows the scollops exposed but only for the purpose of illustration; normally they would be concealed under the thatch). Three rows of exposed scollops are used for holding boibíns. Row of boibíní on side of roof facing point of prevailing wind is set above row on the other side to prevent rain entering at the apex of the roof. The one row of lubans holds both line of scollops that old the boibíní. There are fifteen boibins to each scollop as below. Boibíns are threaded onto the scollop before being-put into position leaving about 5” of scollop protruding for insertion into lubán holding previous set of boibíns.