The primary school pupils in the village of Killea in north Tipperary, who constructed a wattle hut from living willow plants, were surprised by the phone call from Dublin about whether they had received planning permission to create the structure.
The project, an artist in residence scheme, was inspired by Ms Lynn Kirkham, a locally based artist, who describes the process as one which begins with the willow rods being planted to create the structure.
"When new growth occurs, the shoots have to be woven back into the structure which eventually gives a very dense, strong sculpture," she says.
However, the school principal, Ms Eileen Curtin, was taken aback when she received a query from a man who said he had been refused planning permission for his proposed wooden home and asking how she had pulled it off.
"I told him it was just made out of sticks in the ground," she says. All the pupils have been involved in the hut-weaving project since it began in January. It is one of a series in the school grant-aided by the Arts Council and Tipperary North Riding County Council.
Willows were also used to make masts for St Patrick's Day after they were softened in water. "I was absolutely amazed at what they could do, even the younger ones," Ms Curtin says.
Like any self-respecting structure, though, the hut needs upkeep, in this case watering, weeding and trimming.
Killea National School, 3 1/2 miles from Templemore, has 37 pupils and two teachers. The numbers will increase to 40 next September.