6 HERITAGE UPDATE 7 Reg Conservation Grants Scheme Ashleigh Murray Proposal for Bus Connects threatens fabric and character of Dublin’s historic streetscapes Donough Cahill In its submission for the public The Architectural Heritage The Society also expressed consultation process for Bus Connects, Protection Guidelines for Planning considerable misgivings about the the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) Authorities identifies the importance impact of Bus Connects on trees in proposals to reconfigure Dublin’s bus to the character of historic buildings of gardens and lining the streets along its networks, the Irish Georgian Society boundary features such as railings and routes. Whilst the information brochures criticised apparent proposals to remove gates. It also cautions against moving indicated the number of trees to be original fabric from the historic built these noting that “it would not only retained, only a general indication is environment and remove street trees make them liable to damage… but may given to the number to be removed in architecturally sensitive areas. also adversely alter the relationship rather than to their location. On the The Society’s submission called between the structure and the features UCD to City Centre Location alone, for a comprehensive architectural, of its curtilage” (p. 194) approximately 160 trees are proposed for archaeological and cultural heritage The IGS also took issue with the removal which is of particular concern assessment and a further public methodology used in selecting preferred as this route runs along sensitive historic consultation process before a decision route options. Of concern was an streets. Loss of trees has the potential is reached on a Preferred Route Option. evident lack of field work undertaken in to result in significant adverse impacts Bus Connects was launched in 2017 assessing the historic built environment. on historic streets. by the NTA with the aim of improving It would appear that desktop The Irish Georgian Society called Dublin’s bus system and reducing resources were used in place of on-site for the NTA to fully assess the impact journey times by an ambitious 20-30 investigation and that this was limited to on Dublin’s heritage before reaching a minutes. The scheme proposes a series the National Inventory of Architectural decision on any Preferred Route Options St. Catherine's Church, Thomas Street, Dublin of dedicated corridors where buses Heritage, the Record of Monuments and that these findings are put out for would have priority and be developed and Places, and the Record of Protected further public consultation. In certain in tandem with cycle lanes. Structures. While undoubtedly valuable cases it has already amended its initial While recognising the potential in their own right, these resources do proposals which indicates a willingness positive gains to be achieved through not provide an exhaustive list of heritage to take on board observations received. The igs is delighted to announce been suggested that John responsible for the interiors of the enabling more sustainable forms of structures and sites, and so potentially It is hoped that this capacity for change that we have completed the sixth year Warneford Armstrong (1770—1858), Palace of Westminster - and his transport, the IGS has faulted the NTA exclude sites of importance. The absence will also apply to sensitive heritage of the Conservation Grants Scheme, who famously betrayed the Sheares partner the Irish architect George C. for not providing sufficient information of a field survey of prospective routes buildings and streetscapes. which has been funded by igs London brothers in 1798, erected the folly in Ashlin (1837-1921). The ceilings and to allow for an assessment of the possibly indicates why there has been since 2014. Although the original c. 1830; however, no documentary walls were originally decorated with impact of proposed new routes on the no assessment of historic fabric to be intention was to run the scheme for evidence survives and it may be a stencilled scheme by Ashlin but this historic built environment. Though the removed, the significance of that fabric, four years, its great importance is earlier. The folly is built on high was covered in the 20th century with NTA’s maps illustrate cases where the and whether it will be re-instated. very much recognised and London ground within a designed, naturalised non-breathable paint. Works have curtilage of protected structures and The city-wide scale of the project continues to strive to extend it, subject landscape. It is a curious structure already begun to restore this beautiful historic streetscapes are impinged upon, would indicate the need for the NTA to available funds. Up to €50,000 is since it is circular in plan with decorative feature and funding will there is no accompanying discussion to produce an Environmental Impact available each year and this year’s soaring buttress, which are perhaps aid the next phase of these works. or assessment of how this will affect Assessment as part of the planning funding was distributed among nine reminiscent of great cathedrals The London Young Irish Georgians boundary walls and railings, gardens, process. Such an exercise would successful projects, which ranged seen on distant shores. As the (yigs) also raised additional funds and historic street furniture and paving. normally require an exploration of from small landmark structures folly is deteriorating, it requires the for the building. In particular, the Society queried alternative options which in this case to country houses. consolidation of the wall heads and why the removal of original fabric should entail an assessment of different We are pleased to support a folly the crowns of the buttresses. from within the curtilage of protected routes to those that have been chosen. that forms part of the landscaped This year, a number of churches structures or the removal of existing However, the Society argued that a demesne of Ballycumber House, are being assisted. St. Kevin’s Church Baggot St Lower, Dublin street trees would even be countenanced desktop review of heritage designations Co. Offaly. The house was originally in Harrington Street, Dublin, was at locations where there is sufficient within the study area is not sufficient built as a castle in 1627 but was completed in 1872 to the designs of space to provide on-street car to inform a meaningful consideration subsequently remodelled in the Edward Welby Pugin (1834-1875) - parking bays. of alternative options. 18th and 19th centuries. It has son of the famous Augustus Pugin, 8 CONSERVATION GRANTS SCHEME IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY REVIEW 19 9 01 St Paul’s ‘French Church’, 01 02 03 Portarlington, Co. Laois 02 The restoration of St Paul’s windows 03 Ballyarthur, Co. Wicklow with recently restored side elevation, grant aided in 2018 by the Society 04 Ballycumber folly, Co. Offaly (image courtesy of Offaly Historical & Archaeological Society) 05 Jamesbrook Hall, Midleton, Co. Cork 06 Interior of Ballyarthur, Co. Wicklow, the restoration of which is being supported by the Society in 2019 07 Panel prior to restoration from Our Lady's Chapel at St. Kevin's Church, Harrington Street, Dublin 04 05 St Paul’s ‘French Church’ in from water ingress which can The c. 1680 former hunting lodge of Portarlington, Co. Laois, was founded be detrimental to historic buildings. Ballyarthur, Ballanagh, Co. Wicklow, by French Huguenots in 1698. In the Jamesbrook Hall, Midleton, Co. Cork, required extensive repair works mid-19th century the original simple is a complex site as the main house to a gable wall, which have been hall was enlarged with a cruciform was built in c.1780 but it was attached successfully undertaken. However, plan and a tower; repair works are to an existing c.1675 house, while in the gable wall had experienced required to several associated cast-iron 1820-1830 a collection of cottages, extensive water ingress over the windows. St Catherine’s Church in a coach house and stables were years, which caused damage to Thomas Street, Dublin, was designed erected to the rear. Two bow windows interior decorative plasterwork. 06 07 in the 1760s by the Irish architect John serving the c.1780 house are being The next phase of works is the repair Smyth (d.1775). At the centre of this repaired. Temple House, Ballymote, and reinstatement, where required, granite building are four Doric columns Co. Sligo, is a mansion that was built of this important decorative feature. supporting a pediment, while a clock in c.1820 but it was substantially As demonstrated above, there decorates the adjacent bell tower. extended and embellished in c.1864. are a variety of issues that face The clock, which has not worked for The sash windows to the rear of owners of historic buildings, often many years, is being restored and we the house, overlooking the central resulting in financial pressures, are supporting the restoration of the courtyard, are in very poor condition and this important scheme helps clock face. and are in urgent need of repair. owners to fund essential works for At the Royal and Prior School in Following successful grant aiding the continued protection of these Raphoe, Co. Donegal, we are aiding the last year, we are pleased to provide historic assets. There is a range of production of a Conservation Report for additional support to two early structures that will benefit from our a vacant house that was built in c.1850. houses. Myrtle Grove, Youghal, support, including a folly, residential Undertaking initial investigations and Co. Cork, is a rare example of an buildings, and churches. We would assessments of historic buildings is unfortified 16th-century Irish house. therefore, like to thank all our vital before any works take place, and Last year involved the repair of an igs London members for making this report which will establish the oriel window that faces the medieval this year’s scheme possible and we significance of the building and inform St Mary’s Collegiate Church and is will aim to extend it beyond 2019, the conservation approach.