Dear Taoiseach,

I am writing to you to express the Irish Georgian Society’s severe disappointment and considerable concern regarding the loss of the Minister for Heritage through the renaming of the former Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to the Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht. I understand that Minister Humphreys has stated that she still holds the portfolio for Heritage but the fact that it is not part of the Minister’s official title seems an unfortunate oversight.

Ireland’s national identity is defined by a very rich and complex cultural heritage encompassing a wide variety of diverse constituent parts. For its small size, Ireland’s cultural heritage has made and continues to make a disproportionately large global impact. Heritage also makes a significant impact at home - heritage and Ireland’s historic environment is estimated to account for €1.5 billion per annum or 1% of the State’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and some 2% of overall employment.

While the arts form a key facet of Ireland’s culture, under no circumstances could Ireland’s cultural heritage said to be limited to “the Arts”. Failure to recognise this at Government level shows a fundamental lack of understanding of how the wider cultural heritage actually contributes to the Irish economy, but also gives a troubling insight into how the management and conservation of heritage for the Irish people and future generations is given no weight.

Our shared heritage shapes us as individuals, as communities and as a Nation. It is the duty of the State to lead in the protection of this heritage for future generations, and the removal of the word “Heritage” from the name of the Department sends a clear message that this is not considered important. Therefore, on behalf of the Irish Georgian Society, I respectfully urge you to re-instate the Ministry for Heritage.

Yours sincerely,

Sir David Davies
President, Irish Georgian Society

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Last weekend (7-8th May), the Irish Georgian Society held its annual Traditional Building Skills Exhibition & Conservation Seminar in the grounds of Portumna Castle.

Portumna Castle was a one-stop destination for owners in need of accurate, impartial and free advice on caring and repairing their protected structures and heritage buildings. Over 1,000 people attended the exhibition and our seminars, which included a talk aimed at Leaving Certificate students on how to answer the Georgian Architecture question on their art history paper, delivered by Myles McKenna, architectural historian, OPW Guide and 2015 Desmond Guinness Scholarship recipient.

Galway's Heritage Buildings Show 2016 was held in partnership with Galway County Council and the Office of Public Works.

Many thanks to our hardy speakers and exhibitors who braved the wind, rain and the cold and to Merrion Properties and Heather and John Picerne for their support of the IGS Conservation Education Programme.

Ronan Finn, Thatcher

Stephen Quinn, Blacksmith 

Stephen Quinn, Blacksmith hot iron rod

Michael Fernhead, drystone waller of Drywall Association of Ireland

James Grace of Architectural Wood Design
 

Cathaoirleach Cllr Peter Roche with Brian Murray cabinet maker in the Made in Galway tent


Cathaoirleach Cllr. Peter Roche launching the exhibition

Michele O' Dea, OPW Senior Conservation Architect 

View more photographs from the day on our facebook page.

Many thanks to Pat Browne of Munster Business for the photographs. 

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Conservation works supported by the IGS have started on an important painted glass window by the Irish artist Thomas Jervais (d. 1799) at Agher Church, Rathmoylan, Co. Meath. Classified as being at risk for over two decades, the window depicts Paul preaching at Athens from the cartoons of Raphael and is one of only two surviving examples of monumental works by Jervais; the other being the great west window of the ante-chapel in New College, Oxford.

The project is being funded through supporters and Chapters of the IGS in London, Chicago and Ireland, through grants from the Heritage Council and from the Department of Arts Heritage & the Gaeltacht’s Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2016, and through the Select Vestry of Rathmoylan Union of Parishes.

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Call for Volunteers
Volunteering with the Irish Georgian Society presents a wonderful opportunity to get further involved with the IGS and our work. Our volunteers are invaluable and your support is greatly appreciated!

If you are free to volunteer a couple of hours of your time once a week to invigilate the exhibition for its duration, please fill out your availability here or call the office to register your interest (01 679 8675).

Exhibition opening hours
Friday, 18th March to Sunday, 15th May 2016
Open: Monday – Saturday 10.00am - 6.00pm / Sunday 12.00 - 5.00pm

Image: Upper Sackville Street, detail of celing from front drawing room 

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This is the third blog in a series of blog posts, to complement our current exhibition Ireland’s Main Street, 1625-1925: An Architectural History. They will add further context to the exhibition, and the architectural evolution of Dublin's main street.

(Click map to enlarge)

During the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries the Abbey was the dominant landmark on the north side of the River Liffey. This enclave represents the first step towards the urbanization of the area.Throughout, the Abbey remained separate from the city, as was the norm.

Its land stretched to over 5000 acres, amounting to most of the land in the area and stretching to Malahide. A discernible road developed, from the river, running past the Abbey to Drumcondra and onwards to the north, along the existing Gaelic route way. Some of the more desirable lands, along this route, were granted by the Abbey, to the emerging ruling class.

In 1534 Silken Thomas Fitzgerald started his rebellion here - laying down his sword of state. The rebellion was ultimately quashed. Major political and religious reforms occurred in the 1530s and 1540s. Everything changed again with the dissolution of the monasteries in 1537. The stamp of the monastic economy (Cistercians were an agrarian order and self-sufficient) remained visible in the practices of the local inhabitants. Indeed such practices can be seen in the present day horticultural businesses of north county Dublin.

Lands, originally part of St Marys Abbey, were re-granted on the dissolution of the monasteries. but there was no urban development of any significance until the latter half of the 17th century, when with the Restoration of the British Monarchy and return of Duke of Ormond in 1666, Dublin’s modern development began.

Joseph Lynch, exhibition curator

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Tom Quick opened his elegant Palm Beach home for a cocktail party to welcome Sir David Davies, the new President of the Irish Georgian Society, who had just arrived in the United States from London for the week. The party was attended by the American Board of Director’s of the Irish Georgian Society and over 100 friends of the Society in Palm Beach.

Beth Dater, President of the American Board and Sir David Davies, President of The Irish Georgian Society

Kay Krehbiel and Steve Zick

Shelia O’Malley Fuchs, Michael Kerrigan, Executive Director, and Susan Burke

Sir David Davies, Beth Dater and Tom Quick

Donald and Muffie Miller and Coleman Burke

Katherine Bryan, Fred Krehbiel and guest 

You can view more pictures from the evening on our facebook page.
 

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