The winners of the Irish Georgian Society’s 2017 Architectural Conservation Award and Original Drawings Award were announced by Michael Wall, Chairman of the Irish Georgian Foundation, at a well-attended ceremony presided over by Dr Edward McParland in the Irish Architectural Archive on Thursday 5th October.

The awards were launched in 2009 and are open to Irish architects or architectural practices, building surveyors, contractors, engineers and other professionals involved in the conservation of historic buildings in Ireland. Their purpose is to encourage excellence in the area of conservation and to celebrate those conservation professionals and practitioners responsible for projects of merit.

Dr. Edward McParland observed that the IGS Conservation Awards were significant as they celebrated the traditional crafts essential in conserving our built heritage and the skills and knowledge of those involved.  He further emphasised the importance of the Awards in demonstrating that decay can be reversed and allow for the recycling and new use of buildings. He concluded by reminding the attendees that these conservation projects bring huge public benefit, through the pleasure and glamour the buildings lend to public and private spaces.

In announcing the award winners, Michael Wall thanked Ronan Group Real Estate and Johnny Ronan for sponsoring the initiative and also thanked Mary Bryan and Livia Hurley for their work in steering the initiative and ensuring its delivery this year. 

The Awards

Original Drawing – Winner: Vincent Coleman
For his drawing of the Cathedral Church of St. Brendan, Clonfert

Conservation Award – Winner: The Shelbourne Hotel
Architect: Lindsay Conservation Architects
Contractor: Acol. Ltd
Client: Kennedy Wilson

View a video detailing the facade restoration project at The Shelbourne on youtube here.

Conservation Award – Highly Commended: Stradbally Market House 
Architect: Lotts Architecture
Contractor: Liam Meagher Construction
Client: Stradbally Market House Restoration Committee

Conservation Award – Highly Commended: Fancroft Mill
Architect: Marcus & Irene Sweeney
Client: Fancroft Mill & Gardens

Conservation Award – Commended: Newbridge House Courtyard
Architect: Fionnuala May, Architect, Fingal County Council
Contractor: Frances J Haughey Building Conservation
Client: Fingal County Council

Conservation Award – Commended: Richmond Barracks
Architects: Blackwood Associates Architects & Margaret Quinlan Architects
Contractor: Purcell Construction
Client: Dublin City Council

The IGS Conservation Awards Committee is composed of: Dr. Edward McParland, Mary Bryan, Livia Hurley, Frank McDonald, Frank McCloskey and David Griffin. Chairman of IGS, Michael Wall stood in for Mary Bryan on the evening.

Read Frank McDonald's write up on the Awards in The Irish Times (date of publication: 7th October 2017) on The Irish Times website.

Read more

The Irish Georgian Society has made a submission to Kildare County Council expressing its grave concerns by the contents of a draft Ministerial Direction relating to the zoning pf lands at Donaghcumper, Celbridge, Co. Kidlare.  The submission asserts that that, having regard to the international heritage importance of the Castletown / Donaghcumper / St. Wolstan’s historic designed landscapes and having regard to the planning history of the site at Donaghcumper, zoning of lands at Donaghcumper for town centre use would render the Celbridge Local Area Plan 2017-2023 incapable of implementation and, therefore, in contravention of the duty of the planning authority to secure objectives of the plan under section 15 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and the core principle of the Development Plans Guidelines for Planning Authorities: that plans should set realistic objectives that can be secured. The Society, therefore, suggests that it is correct to materially alter the zoning of the Donaghcumper lands to a zoning for open space as zoning the Donaghcumper lands for town centre use is not in compliance with guidelines to planning authorities issued by the Minister under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and is therefore in breach of section 31(1)(c) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.

Read the full submission here.

Read more

The Society submitted a response to the proposed development of a ‘Dublin Mountains Visitor Centre’ at Coillte’s Hell Fire and Massy’s Wood in the Dublin mountains. This submission noted the potential for the development to have a significant negative impact on the architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage of the area and to compromise the integrity of the historic and designed landscapes. It further emphasised the importance of any development at the site to be informed by a comprehensive assessment of the sensitivities and significance of the historic landscapes and their architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage significance. Read the full submission here.

Read more

On Sunday 10th September 2017, members of the Limerick Chapter of the Irish Georgian Society enjoyed a wonderful day out to Longford and Westmeath, visiting two important historic houses over the course of the morning and afternoon. 

The Feeney family of Ledwithstown House in Ballymahon were extraordinarily generous in sharing the history, restoration, and current life of their home with our group. Built for the Ledwith family in 1746 to the designs of renowned Irish architect, Richard Castle, the house is known as a 'a miniature gem' because of its intricate plasterwork, detailed wood mouldings, and fine stone carvings. The ongoing restoration of this beautiful home to its original splendour is a model for Irish buildings in similar situations. 

In the afternoon, we visited Tullynally Castle, by kind permission of the Pakenham family, who arranged a great tour guide for us with Bartle D'Arcy. Originally a plain semi-fortified plantation house, then altered to a comfortable Georgian mansion during the eighteenth century, the building was transformed into a Gothic Revival castle by Francis Johnston in 1803, and again enlarged in the early 1840s with two enormous wings and a central tower, to the designs of Sir Richard Morrison. Bartle showed us through selected ground-floor rooms, and entertained us thoroughly with many fabulous stories. We later walked through the magical gardens of Tullynally, with a map provided to guide us through the many features and follies. 

 

The Limerick Chapter would like to thank our hosts in both historic houses for providing us with a really spectacular day out. All funds raised through tickets for this day trip go towards our Small Works Grant Scheme, a project which is focused on repairing the historic street features of Limerick City. 

 

 

Read more

Desmond Guinness Scholarship 2017

The Desmond Guinness Scholarship is awarded annually by the Irish Georgian Society to an applicant or applicants engaged in research on the visual arts of Ireland including the work of Irish architects, artists and craftsmen at home and abroad, 1600-1900.  

Preference will be given to work based on original documentary research. The Scholarship is intended primarily for applicants who are not yet established at an advanced professional level in research or publication of the visual arts. From 2015, the Scholarship has been supported by members of the Society's London Chapter.

The Scholarship does not have to be awarded in any one year, and the decision of the assessors, appointed by the Irish Georgian Society, is final.

The total value of the scholarship fund available for distribution is in the region of €1,000.

Application forms must be submitted (by post) by 2.00pm, Tuesday 31st October 2017.

Download an application form and guidelines here. 

Read more

Members of Irish Georgian Society London with Ashleigh Murray (left), Committee Chair and Primrose Wilson (right), Chair of the Conservation Grants Committee

Members of Irish Georgian Society London with grant awardees at the grants announcement in Tea Lane Graveyard, Celbridge, Co. Kildare

The recipients of the Irish Georgian Society's Conservation Grants Scheme 2017 was announced on Friday at a small ceremony at Tea Lane Graveyard, Celbridge, Co. Kildare. In all, nine building conservation projects around the country were awarded €50,000 in total of grants. This is the fourth successive year of the Society’s Small Grants Scheme with total funding provided so far amounting to in excess of €200,000.

The conservation projects to receive grants this year include churches and a mausoleum in Counties Kildare and Mayo, and historic houses in Counties Cork, Laois and Mayo. These grants will support essential roof and wall works as well as the conservation of architectural features in need of urgent repair.

The Irish Georgian Society’s grants programme has been supported through the work of its London Chapter whose members organise events throughout the year in aid of Ireland’s built heritage. These grants help owners and guardians of architecturally important historic buildings to fund essential works which may not otherwise be possible.

Maunsell Chapel (c.1820), Tea Lane cemetery, Celbridge, Co. Kildare
The Maunsell Chapel was constructed in 1820 by the Maunsell family of nearby Oakley Park and adjoins an earlier mausoleum of the Conolly family of Castletown. It lies within the Tea Lane Graveyard whose origins extend back to Early Christian times with associations with Saint Mochua and is situated alongside the remains of a medieval church. The restoration of the mausoleum is being led by the Tea Lane Graveyard Committee whose aim is the conservation and preservation of this significant heritage area. 

Grant awarded: €6,500

Stradbally Hall (late 18C), Co. Laois

Water ingress and the onset of damp can have a disastrous impact on historic buildings. This is understood at Stradbally Hall, Co. Laois, a late-18^th-century country house that was substantially renovated in c.1868 in the Italianate style by the English architect Charles Lanyon (1813-1889). Last year we assisted with the repair of striking decorative chimneystacks. The works this year involve the continuation of their roof repair programme with the repair of the lead valley gutters on the roof and portico, which are allowing water to penetrate the structure, damaging internal decorative plasterwork.  

Grant awarded: €6,000


Old Parochial House (late 19C), Monkstown, Co. Cork

We are also supporting external repairs at the Old Parochial House in Monkstown, Co. Cork. This building was designed by Edward Welby Pugin (1834-1875), eldest son of the illustrious English architect Augustus Pugin (1812-1852), with the aid Irish architect George Coppinger Ashlin (1837-1921). Moisture has always been an issue due to the location of this red-brick building by the sea. The owners have previously hosted a Brickwork Conservation and Repair CPD course and have undertaken low-level repointing of the brickwork. Grant aid is sought to complete the repointing works to protect the building from further water ingress.

Grant awarded: €4,000

O’Brien Column (c. 1858), Liscannor, Co. Clare

The O’Brien column in Liscannor, Co. Clare, also suffers from water issues. Designed by J Petty Esq, the column was erected in c. 1858 by public subscription in memory of Cornelius O’Brien, a local MP and improving landlord. O’Brien was also responsible for opening up the Cliffs of Moher to tourists by creating paved walks and erecting the c. 1835 O’Brien Tower. The c. 80ft fluted Doric column is an important landmark feature, situated on an impressive site overlooking Liscannor Bay and O’Brien’s former home. The Follies Trust and the Friends of the O’Brien column will carry out careful conservation of the structure, including stabilising its crowning decorative urn which is in danger of collapse.  

Grant awarded: €6,000

St Johns Church (c.1810-1820), Ballycastle, Co. Mayo

External repair works are required at St Johns Church, Ballycastle, Co. Mayo. This c.1810-1820 church was built under the Board of First Fruits and is attributed to the Irish architect John Bowden (d.1822). The recent discovery of ‘mud mortar’, forming part of the original construction of the church’s tower, has added a level urgency to the works. 

Grant awarded: €2,500

The Church of Saint John the Evangelist (c. 1815), Monasterevin, Co Kildare

The Church of Saint John the Evangelist, Monasterevin, Co Kildare, was built in c.1815 with a plan possibly inspired by the Board of First Fruits churches. Its fine iron entrance gate is thought to have been relocated from the Moore Abbey demise by the Marquess of Drogheda. Aid is sought for the restoration of this ornate entrance; not only will this improve the appearance the building, it will also enhance the streetscape due to the prominent location of the church on the town’s main street.  

Grant awarded: €3,000

Town Hall (c.1863), Mountmellick, Co. Laois

Townscape improvements are also proposed in Mountmellick, Co. Laois, where extensive repair works are proposed to the street-facing elevation of the Town Hall. This gable-fronted building was designed in 1863 by the architect William Caldbeck (1824-1872) and is located in the town centre.  

Grant awarded: €5,000

Ballinrobe House (c. 1740), Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo

Our funding this year also supports the restoration of the original entrance door of Ballinrobe House, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. Originally built for Captain Courtney Kenny (1702-1779), this c. 1740 seven-bay house retains plasterwork reported to be by the famous Lafranchini brothers. The house has remained derelict for some years and there is evidence of fire. The current owners are now working through a careful programme of repair to restore this beautiful residential building.  

Grant awarded: €7,000

St Micheal & All Angels (late 19C), Sallins, Co. Kildare

A number of churches require assistance this year due to a range of issues. St Micheal & All Angels, Sallins, Co. Kildare, is a late-19^th-century church by the architect James Franklin Fuller (1835-1924). An unfortunate fire in 1947 destroyed internal timber features and also caused smoke damage. The works involve the removal of smoke staining to the decorative Cloisonné (enamelled copper) wall panels by Clement John Heaton (1861-1940), to reveal their beautiful colours and detailing. 

Grant awarded: €5,000

Read more