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BUILT HERITAGE JOBS LEVERAGE SCHEME 2014 Investing in Ireland’s Heritage
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Report 2015
Contents Background to Scheme
1
Protected Structures & Architectural Conservation Areas
2
Conservation Principles
3
Outcomes
4
Case Study I
47 Rathgar Road, Dublin 6
6
Case Study 2
Freyneystown Castle, Co. Kilkenny
7
Case Study 3
Stranorlar Church of Ireland, Co. Donegal
8
Case Study 4
Drimnagh Castle, Dublin 12
9
Case Study 5
St. John's Church, Drumshanbo Co. Leitrim
10
Case Study 6
St. Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny City
11
Case Study 7
Thatched Cottage, Killeek, Co. Dublin
12
Case Study 8
Rockforest House, Mallow, Co. Cork
13
Case Study 9
St. Columba’s Church of Ireland, Swords
14
Case Study 10
Gowran Castle, Co. Kilkenny
15
Case Study 11
Dangan Obelisk, Co. Meath
16
Benefits of Investment
17
Overall National Distribution & Leverage
18
Useful Links
19
Acknowledgments The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht would like to thank all the local authorities, individuals and owners who have provided information, text and pictures for this report. Copyright rests with the individual contributors.
Disclaimer The content of this report does not purport to be a legal interpretation of any of the Acts or procedures mentioned.
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Background to Scheme Heritage at Risk The recent economic downturn highlighted a considerable risk to our built heritage as State funding was reduced and private investment curtailed. The economic downturn also severely impacted upon those working in the conservation of historic structures, particularly locally based small to medium enterprises.
Leverage The scheme focused on leveraging private capital for investment in our heritage and on creating jobs, particularly in traditional building and conservation skills which are essential to the on-going repair of historic structures.
Improved well-being; Sense of pride & place; Vital to our urban & rural communities
Attracts investment; Provides employment; Promotes sustainable development & energy efficiency
Heritage
Benefits
Boosts local economy; Critical to success of Ireland’s tourist industry; Strengthens community identity
Vital for maintaining traditional conservation skills; Helps people interact with local historic environment
Investing in Heritage These factors prompted the Government to make a sum of €5million available in 2014 via the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht — to 34 local authorities to fund the Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme. Aims of Scheme This scheme was aimed at the repair and conservation of protected structures and, in certain cases, structures located within Architectural Conservation Areas where works would enhance the character and appearance of a particular area.
Outline of Scheme The minimum level of funding available to individual projects was €2,500 with the maximum set at €15,000. Each individual project had to match the grant they were allocated, i.e., 50/50. Local authorities were responsible for assessing conservation projects based on the significance (special interest) of the structure involved, the effectiveness of proposed works and employment benefit. The local authority also determined the amount each project was awarded within the above limits. 1
Protected Structures & Architectural Conservation Areas
Map of Ireland showing relative density of protected structures
There are over 41,000 protected structures and 500 Architectural Conservation Areas in Ireland
Protected Structures A protected structure is one that a planning authority considers to be of one or more of the special interests listed above and which is included in the Record of Protected Structures. Owners are obliged to preserve and protect such structures. Planning permission is needed for any work carried out on a protected structure that would affect its special interest or character.
9,000 Dublin 3,000 Cork 2,000 Dun Laoghaire Rathdown 2,000 Limerick
Architectural Conservation Areas Architectural Conservation Areas are places, areas, groups of structures, streetscapes or townscapes of special interest that contribute to the appreciation of protected structures. They may also include designed landscapes such as demesnes and historic gardens. Planning permission must be obtained before works can be carried out in an Architectural Conservation Area unless those works would not affect the character of the area.
1,800 Waterford
Top five local authorities with the most protected structures
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Conservation Principles Managing Change Conservation is the process of managing change to a structure while recognising opportunities to reveal or reinforce its significance for present and future generations. Good conservation practice allows a structure to evolve and adapt to meet changing needs.
Minimum Intervention Good conservation work should aim for minimum intervention, repairing rather than replacing, using appropriate materials and methods and ensuring reversibility of alterations. Repairs should be discernible without detracting from the visual integrity of the structure.
Informed Conservation Understanding the significance of a structure is necessary to inform decisions about its conservation. The best method of conserving a historic building is to keep it in active use. Every effort should be made to find a solution that will allow it to be adapted to a new use without compromising its significance.
New Works or Alterations Proposed new work or alterations to a protected structure should aspire to a quality of design and execution that can be valued both now and in the future. New works should reinforce or further reveal the special interests of a structure. Conservation work should only be carried out by experts with a knowledge and experience of historic buildings. 3
Outcomes
Types of Structures funded under the Scheme Type of Structure
Type of Structure
Castle/fortified house
11
Medium sized rural house
51
Cathedral
5
Mill/distillery
14
Monument/obelisk/tower/follies
5
Church/chapel/meeting houses
118
Club house/assembly room
2
Other
4
Commercial building/market house
11
Public house
7
Country house
55
Railway structure/station
4
Outbuildings/stables
19
School/college
10
Gaol/prison/courthouse
6
Suburban house
27
Gates/lodge/railings
6
Thatched houses
44
Mausoleum
2
Town/urban houses
129
Medieval friary/abbey/priory/church
5
Workhouse/hospital/infirmary
5 Total
4
540
Outcomes Type of Conservation Works Undertaken Conservation Report/Management Plan
8
External structure and features
26
Historic ruins stabilisation
1
Historic window glass conservation/protection
20
Insulation and draft-proofing
11
Internal structure and feature repairs
22
Ironwork
1 103
Masonry/brick/lime render repairs Mitigation of damp
9
Rainwater goods repair/replacement
15
Re-instatement of architectural features
10
Repairs to windows and/or doors
59
Roof repairs
180
Temporary stabilisation works
1
Thatching
39
Various Structural Repairs
35 Total
540
Lock-keeper’s Cottage, Longwood, Co. Meath
Lock-keeper’s Cottage, Longwood, Co. Meath
before restoration
after restoration
Beneficiaries Charity/Voluntary Groups
108
Private owners
390
Structures in public ownership
12
Structures held in trust
30 Total 5
540
47 Rathgar Road, Dublin 6 Amount awarded: Amount leveraged: Type of Works: Structure Use:
€12,079 €35,621 Roof repairs Dwelling house
View of front roof elevation with slates laid to diminishing course and overgrown gutters
Rotten roof wall plates and rafter ends
Section of original gutter to gable end being reinstated
Case Study 1
47 Rathgar Road, Dublin 6—front elevation
Brief History Rathgar House is a detached two-story over basement Victorian house. The building had been vacant for some years and had become semi-derelict. It had been on Dublin City Council’s Buildings at Risk Register for a number of years. Description of Works The works comprised comprehensive repairs to the roof, the provision of new flashings in lead and copper, re-slating and the repair of chimneystacks and roof timbers. Special care was taken to reinstate the original details of the diminishing slate courses using both the original slate and appropriate new natural slate. The work to the chimneystacks was carried out using traditional lime mortar and, where possible, the original cast-iron gutters were repaired and reused. The original ridge tiles were reinstated. 6
Rear elevation with newly slated roof, ridge tiles set in lime and repaired chimneystacks
Freyneystown Castle, Castlewarren, Co. Kilkenny Amount awarded: Amount leveraged: Type of Works: Structure Use:
€8,400 €8,400 Roof repairs Dwelling house
Brief History Freyneystown Castle comprises an early eighteenth century dwelling house attached to a sixteenth century tower house. Both buildings are of random rubble stone construction. Before the works started, the dwelling house roof was in very poor repair, the building having been unoccupied for a number of years. Significant ivy growth on the gable ends and a large number of slipped tiles were causing significant damage to interior joinery and fabric.
Freyneystown Castle
Roof before repairs
Roof after repairs
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Case Study 2
Description of Works The works carried out were part of a phased project to bring the building back into habitable use. Ivy growth was removed and the roof was stripped. Appropriate replacement natural slates were sourced locally and the roof timbers were repaired where necessary and treated. Breathable membrane was applied and the slates replaced. Existing ridge tiles were reused and bedded using lime mortar The central chimneystack on the farmhouse was stripped of cement render and carefully re-rendered in lime. The work brought the house back from an advanced state of decay and has given it a new lease of life, ensuring it is protected from the elements and can dry out properly before works commence on the next phase of conservation.
St. John’s Church of Ireland, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal Amount awarded: Amount leveraged: Type of Works: Structure Use:
€6,500 €8,000 Historic window repair Place of worship
Case Study 3
St. John’s Church of Ireland, Stranorlar
Detail of cast iron window after repair Cast-iron prior to repair
Brief History St. John’s Church was built between 1729 and 1733 and extended in 1863 and later again in 1897. It retains much of its early form and character including attractive cast-iron quarry glazed windows, with pointed-arch openings. Isaac Butt (1813 - 1879), the founder of the Irish Home Rule Party and a noted campaigner for social rights is interned in this graveyard. Description of Works The works involved the repair and conservation of three cast-iron stained glass windows on the north elevation of the church. The windows were out of alignment, and suffered from localised rust and corrosion. A build-up of paint had distorted the opening sections. The conservation works involved straightening, welding, and splicing cast-iron repairs. Minor dents were straightened. Steel-based epoxy resins were used to fill small corrosion holes and surface imperfections, which were sanded smooth and painted. 8
Drimnagh Castle, Longmile Road, Dublin 12 Amount awarded: Amount leveraged: Type of Works: Structure Use:
€13,263 €13,263 Roof repairs Heritage attraction
Drimnagh Castle with stable block to left
Re-slated hipped roof
Repaired water damaged roof timbers
Brief History Drimnagh Castle was built as a stronghold and outpost of Anglo-Norman Dublin and is first mentioned in 1216 when Hugh de Barnewall settled here. The Barnewalls, who first came originally from France via Wales, were adventurers sent by King John to Ireland. Until 1954, Drimnagh Castle was one of the oldest continually inhabited castles in Ireland and is an outstanding example of a feudal stronghold in the Dublin area. It is the only Irish castle still to be fully surrounded by a flooded moat. The castle consists of a restored Great Hall and medieval vaulted undercroft and a tall crenellated keep with a large stable block attached. Description of Works Conservation works involved re-slating the stable building roof, re-flashing lead valleys and replacing roof timbers damaged by water ingress. The original slates were reinstated after repairs to the timber roof structure had been completed. The shallow leaded valleys were repaired using appropriate lead sheet lengths, falls and step heights in order to ensure that they will achieve a long lifespan.
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Case Study 4
Re-slated pitches and leaded valleys, chimney flashing in process
St. John's Church, Drumshanbo Co. Leitrim Amount awarded: Amount leveraged: Type of Works: Structure Use:
€14,330 €14,330 Repairs to bell tower Heritage and Community Centre/Place of worship
Case Study 5
Detail of masonry repairs
Brief History This Board of First Fruits style Church of Ireland church was built in 1829. Set within its own grounds, St. John's Church contributes to the character of Drumshanbo. The understated Gothic Revival design is typical of such churches. Within, decorative stained glass windows add artistic interest as do the simple stone dressings and carved grave-markers. St. John’s Church, Drumshambo
Description of Works The works to St. John’s were mainly concentrated on the castellated bell tower. Part of the work involved raking out all sand and cement joints to the stonework on the external walls. The joints were re-pointed using natural hydraulic lime mortar made to match existing examples. The mortar was bedded with bristle brushes to give an matching surface texture and finish. Remedial work was also carried out to the four cut stone pinnacles of the bell tower with the stonework re-pointed. Steel tie restraints were installed that were interconnected diagonally across the tower using a central connector. The bell tower roof was replaced and a new access hatch installed.
Before and after images of church pinnacles
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St. Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny City Amount awarded: Amount leveraged: Type of Works: Structure Use:
€10,000 €10,000 Sculptural masonry repair Place of worship
Case Study 6 Brief History St. Canice’s Cathedral is a structure of national significance and was constructed in the late thirteenth century. The fine stone carved details of the west doorcase are attributed to the “Gowran Master”. In 2013, due to concerns about the west doorway, a condition survey was commissioned to examine the stonework and outline specifications for its conservation and repair. Description of Works The works carried out included the careful removal of cement-based pointing to the Bath stone details, preparation of masonry sections for replacement stone and the removal of older inappropriate and failing mortar repairs. A detailed photographic record was made of all areas subject to repair and consolidation works prior to the commencement of works. The works involved the consolidation of stonework, the insertion of stone grafts, repair mortars, repointing of existing stonework and the provision of a lime and Bath stone dust shelter coat to consolidate and prolong the life of the carved stone doorcase.
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Thatched Cottage, Killeek, Co. Dublin Amount awarded: Amount leveraged: Type of Works: Structure Use:
€15,000 €19,000 Thatching Dwelling house
Detail of repairs to the straw bobbin ridge
Case Study 7
Creation of straw bobbin ridge
Completed repair works to thatch
Brief History This six bay single storey straw thatched vernacular house probably dates to the late eighteenth century. The flat-roofed porch to the front is a later addition. The position of the chimneystack in line with the entrance indicates that it is of the lobby-entry plan that is characteristic of the south and eastern parts of Ireland. It is aligned at a right-angle to the road, a feature of many vernacular dwellings in Ireland. It forms a complex of vernacular structures along with the two outbuildings to the south-east and south-west which are arranged around a forecourt to the south. This arrangement is found primarily in areas that had a traditional dairy economy. Description of Works Patch roof repairs had been carried out when needed over the last few years to hold the roof. The current works entailed the removal of damaged or rotten sections and the build up of a new coat of straw thatch over the existing sound historic thatch. Repairs were also carried out to the straw bobbin ridge.
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Rockforest House, Mallow, Co. Cork Amount awarded: Amount leveraged: Type of Works: Structure Use:
€15,000 €20,860 Repair of sash windows Dwelling house
Rockforest House—front elevation
Venetian window after conservation
Venetian window during conservation
Brief History Rockforest House comprises the surviving western part of a formerly more substantial country house, built circa 1760. The house is a notable example of a mid- eighteenth century architecture. The survival of a variety of timber sash windows, and other details, enhances the building, particularly the Venetian window, a common Palladian motif in Ireland. Description of works The works involved the repair to sections of the main roof, the full repair and complete re-leading of the flat roof of the entrance porch, and the repair of sash windows and the Venetian window.
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Case Study 8
Sash window after conservation
St. Columba’s Church of Ireland, Swords, Co. Dublin Amount awarded: Amount leveraged: Type of Works: Structure Use:
€15,000 €35,260 Repair of internal decorative plasterwork Place of worship
Damaged cornice plasterwork before restoration
Case Study 9
Damaged cornice plasterwork undergoing repairs
Detail of repair work to cornice
Restored cornice plasterwork prior to painting
Brief History This Church of Ireland church was built circa 1815 to designs by Francis Johnston whose use of stepped buttresses, pinnacles and a crenellated roof parapet epitomised the Gothic Revival style The interior of the nave has a flat compartmentalised plaster ceiling with bracketed braces and painted "fresco" roundels and garlands. The decorative plaster cornice and central rose are particularly fine. Description of Works The conservation works involved the repair of the internal decorative plasterwork. An initial collapse of a section of the cornice, frieze and plaster occurred in 2013. On further inspection, other areas in the nave were identified as also requiring repairs due to the failure of the supporting timber sub-structure of the ceiling, cornice bracketing and timber laths. All the defective sections of plaster mouldings, loose ceiling plaster and defective plaster laths were removed and repair of the lime mortar plaster ceiling and walls was carried out. Original plaster mouldings were retained and reused where possible. Where replacement had to occur, moulds were taken of the cornice embellishments and missing sections of cornice to enable these areas to be reinstated.
14
Gowran Castle, Co. Kilkenny Amount awarded: Amount leveraged: Type of Works: Structure Use:
€8,563 €9,460 Repair of internal joinery Dwelling house
Brief History Gowran Castle is a classical country house built between 1815 and 1820 for the 2nd Viscount Clifden. Its design is attributed to William Robertson. The building had been vacant during the early 2000s and had suffered from neglect and vandalism resulting in prolonged water ingress causing partial collapse of the ground floor and widespread water damage to the internal fabric. This situation was exacerbated by fire. The building was acquired by a private owner about five years ago who has carried out considerable conservation works to bring the house back into domestic use. The staircase was the largest item of internal joinery to survive wet and dry rot. Description of Works When the construction of the staircase was analysed, it was found that it was structurally unsafe as the support for the winding turn at the top of the first flight and the quarter landing (carried on a series of wooden cantilevers) had sagged. The undersides of the cantilevered beams at the junction with the wall had become deflected as revealed by the cracked plaster which was visible in the inside of the wind and quarter landing. To solve this issue, a steel structure—designed to minimise intrusions on the exiting joinery—was introduced to connect and support the ends of the existing timber cantilevers. This steel structure was attached to the side walls of the stairwell. Once installed, the underside of the staircase was reinstated using traditional lath and plaster. Although the banisters were almost completed lost, a small number had survived as did sections of the handrail. These were used as templates to recreate and replace missing elements.
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Case Study 10
Gowran Castle staircase after restoration
Gowran Castle staircase before restoration
Dangan Obelisk, Co. Meath
Case Study 11
Amount awarded: Amount leveraged: Type of Works: Structure Use:
€14,350 €6,150 Masonry repair and stabilisation Folly
Obelisk before conservation
Obelisk during conservation
The pyramidon atop the obelisk after restoration
Base of shaft during conservation
Obelisk after conservation
Brief History This obelisk, which is approximately 45 feet high, stands within the former Dangan Castle demesne, the seat of Richard Wesley, created first Baron Mornington in 1746, who spent a considerable sum improving his house and grounds, including building various follies such as this obelisk. Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington, spent much of his childhood here. The obelisk is constructed of clay brick on a stone base. All of the masonry was laid in a soft lime and sand mortar and there is evidence that the structure was originally rendered in lime. Over time, the pyramidon that crowned the shaft had partly collapsed while many of the bricks were eroded leaving recesses in the shaft and base. Description of Works A survey and measured drawings were made of the obelisk before the commencement of works. Eroded bricks were cut out and appropriate salvaged clay bricks inserted. The two top courses to the apex of the obelisk were taken down to a sound base and salvaged clay bricks used to rebuild the pyramidon which was then finished with lime/sand flaunching. The base was built up using salvaged clay bricks and the application of a lime/sand cavetto moulding. Additional works included the addition of a thick lime render to protect the brick shaft and a colour wash that was applied to the brick repairs. 16
Benefits of Investment
€5m
Social Benefits The social benefits of the scheme were apparent from positive feedback
“I’ve just opened my email to discover the transfer of funds. I'm not known to be lost for words but right now I am. This €15,000 will mean so much to the project here as it frees up resources to focus on our primary function, which are the young people. I know your role and your focus is on the heritage of this great building yet your decision transcends the renovation and revitalisation of a building” St. Josephs Hall, Edenderry, Co. Offaly
“Just got the fantastic news of the remittance. Very many thanks for all your hard work in this respect and really appreciate the outcome. Thanks to [this] assistance Gloster should thrive as a heritage building well into the next century. We are, after all, only life tenants in this world when it comes to our built heritage” Gloster House, Co. Offaly
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Overall National Distribution & Leverage Local Authority
BHJLS Grant
Carlow County Council Cavan County Council Clare County Council Cork City Council Cork County Council Donegal County Council Dublin City Council Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council Fingal County Council Galway City Council Galway County Council Kerry County Council Kildare County Council Kilkenny County Council Laois County Council Leitrim County Council Limerick City Council Limerick County Council Longford County Council Louth County Council Mayo County Council Meath County Council Monaghan County Council Offaly County Council Roscommon County Council Sligo County Council South Dublin County Council Tipperary North County Council Tipperary South County Council Waterford City Council Waterford County Council Westmeath County Council Wexford County Council Wicklow County Council Grand Total
€105,000 €108,397 €106,000 €141,994 €290,036 €100,000 €704,279 €211,000 €127,061 €57,956 €139,000 €146,000 €163,000 €137,002 €117,063 €14,330 €84,500 €172,500 €109,000 €162,000 €103,000 €172,139 €103,658 €170,610 €109,398 €117,855 €121,169 €141,000 €141,000 €118,968 €115,032 €110,053 €161,000 €119,000 €5,000,000
Additionally Leveraged €140,306 €171,500 €181,861 €315,118 €459,267 €259,152 €2,354,453 €613,628 €222,954 €50,418 €147,124 €364,203 €464,587 €166,478 €145,576 €14,330 €147,166 €296,190 €164,635 €304,743 €116,765 €328,733 €189,067 €262,311 €250,712 €121,975 €238,519 €256,195 €241,649 €134,062 €145,417 €340,876 €213,599 €153,916 €9,977,486
National Inventory of Architectural Heritage Rating of Projects The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) was set up under the Granada Convention and established on a statutory basis in 1999. The NIAH has to date surveyed over 41,000 structures (the NIAH is entirely separate from the Record of Protected Structures). The grading of structures as of regional, national and international importance is used by the NIAH to determine their architectural significance relative to each other. The majority of projects completed under the Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme were rated as of regional value, i.e., those that make a significant contribution to the architectural heritage within their region or area. Those categorised as “other” have not yet been surveyed. See www.buildingsofireland.ie for further information
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Further information
Information on the protection of architectural heritage is outlined in Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2011) published by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
The Advice Series published by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht provides information and advice to those responsible for the care of historic structures
SHAPING THE FUTURE (2013) This publication by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht highlights various case studies in adapting and reusing historic buildings in the urban environments
The above publications can be downloaded from: www.ahg.gov.ie 19
