Traditionally the internal parts of many concertinas were made from Sycamore (also known as European Maple), a relatively stable timber which machines
well. It was also plentiful and cheap. It is not available in Australia today. While I was in Ireland in August 2009 Dublin harpmaker
Tomás MacUileagóid took me to Clonmore Sawmill, near Ballynagar, Co. Offaly. There we selected a Sycamore log and
Mick the miller cut it to our specifications. We then took it to Dominic Trimble in Geashill and he dried it in a kiln for 6 weeks. Tomás later picked it up, broke
it down a little further and the first batch arrived in Australia recently.

Sadly the wood turned out not dense enough, not very surprising given Ireland is wet but not so cold. It was a fun day though..!

Pictures by Denis Grehan.