Hundreds Attend Building And Conservation Skills Exhibition In Adare

The Irish Georgian Society and Limerick County Council hosted the 'Traditional Building and Conservation Skills Exhibition', which has been held annually since the early 1990s. The Exhibition also featured a series talks and lectures on aspects of architectural conservation in the Adare Heritage Centre.

Launching the Exhibition, Cllr. Kevin Sheahan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council stated, "The County Council has almost 1,500 buildings registered with the Record of Protected Structures, the number having been increased significantly following the launch of the Council's Conservation Initiative in 1995."

"Any area's culture and heritage is very much grounded on the importance of the smaller and simpler buildings located within it, such as thatched houses. As for those who have scant regard for the importance of the big house, I would like to remind them that it was native craftsmen and skilled tradesmen, guided in the main by Irish architects, who actually designed and constructed these houses. It is their heritage that we honour and preserve when we host events such as the 'Traditional Building and Conservation Skills Exhibition'", added the Cathaoirleach.

According to Tom Cassidy, Conservation Officer with Limerick County Council, "The weekend event offered advice and information to those undertaking works to old buildings and to highlight the availability of specialist skills and crafts. The hundreds of visitors attending the exhibition saw skilled tradesmen demonstrating traditional building skills relevant to their own properties. Craftspeople and commercial firms also answered queries and offered expert advice."

Some of the skills that were on display included thatching, stonecutting, woodcarving, timber sash window restoration, traditional ironwork conservation, decorative plasterwork and pole lathe turning.

Gerry Sheeran, Senior Planner with Limerick County Council explained, "Limerick County Council was one of the first to protect its heritage by including a substantial list of protected structures in its development plan. Of particular importance are the 220 thatched houses and buildings."

The 'Traditional Building and Conservation Skills Exhibition' took place only weeks after the Minister for the Environment and Heritage John Gormley launched the first two booklets in a new advice series dealing with the maintenance of older buildings and the repair of historic windows.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- Tom Cassidy, Conservation Officer, Limerick County Council (087-6675129) is available for interview/comment.
- For further information on the Traditional Building and Conservation Skills Exhibition please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
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Connolly,
Ennis,
County Clare
IRELAND
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