SPECIFIERS WORKSHOP ON THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF MEDIEVAL
TOWN WALLS
DRIMNAGH CASTLE, Long Mile Road, Dublin 12
Wednesday 8th October 2014
Instructor: Lisa Edden, Structural Engineer
Stonemason: Pat McAfee, experienced in conservation works and works to town walls. Pat will also
be on hand to answer questions on particular issues regarding practical repairs and both the
organising and programming of works.
TIME
9.00AM
9.30AM
ACTIVITY
Registration in the Great Hall
Welcome and introduction
Town walls, their archaeology and significance
The story the walls tell and importance today
Town ditches and what they may contain
The conservation plan and its importance for town walls
10.00AM
What’s wrong with this wall / monument?
LOCATION & LECTURER
Great Hall
Liam Mannix, IWTN
Great Hall
Lisa Edden
Overview of typical issues
The importance of maintenance
Is this a maintenance issue or something more drastic?
10.40AM
Tea / coffee
Crypt under great Hall
11.00AM
Town walls and their surrounds as a habitat
Dr. Janice Fuller, Ecologist
Flora on walls and what to look out for
Bats, birds, and insects
Legislation - wildlife act, etc
11.40AM
12.20AM
Legislation and permissions for works to a National
Monument
Risk assessment and other health and safety issues
Plant growth and programming plant control
Containment / removal of undesirable plant growth
Catherine Desmond
Marc Ritchie, DAHG
Lisa Edden
Great Hall
Mechanisms of deterioration
When to re-point, minimum intervention, local repairs
Hot lime mortars / clay mortars
Treatment of wall tops
Historical profiles, Effective weathering, aesthetics of repairs
1.00PM
Lunch
Crypt under Great Hall
1.45PM
Tour of Drimnagh grounds to look at walls and see
samples of deterioration, cracks, and repair practice
Walk around grounds
Understanding wall foundations and protecting them
Erosion of pointing and damage to stones at wall bases
Repairs to wall bases
Lime mortar mixes for various repairs
Local rebuilding – honest versus aesthetic repairs
Engineer L. Edden
Stone Mason P. McAfee
Weathering details to wall tops
Practical plant removal tips
3.10PM
Specifications for:
vegetation removal / lime mortar including hot lime mortar
updates/ protection of works
4.15PM
4.30PM
Mortar analysis
H&S issues
Temporary works
Access
Timing of works and phasing of projects
Summary, questions and answers
Finish
Great Hall
Lisa Edden