Partial authorization to Proceed with physical work on site
Permission from landowners to proceed:
Members of the Slattery family have written to commend efforts to save the castle from collapse and to offer their full support. The letter authorizes the Club to proceed with the design and approval process efforts to instigate stabilization of the castle. He asked me to drop him an email with terminology for the letter.
Partial Government Authorities:
Department. of the Environment, Architectural Service, (Ducas)
Freddie O’Dwyer, Senior Architect for National Monuments, Department of the Environment. commended Lahinch Golf Club on their proactive approach towards the historic sites Dough Castle and the earthworks site. He also commended the professional recommendations and drawings submitted to the Dept. of the Environment on behalf of Lahinch Golf Club. He went on to say that he agreed with the approach taken in those drawings. He suggested that the Golf Club should have a project manager who is experienced in the field of Conservation. He said that he felt comfortable with the approach taken by Thomas Arthur Quinlan in his work on the castle. He also said that he is awaiting the report of Hugh Carey, Senior Archaeologist who visited the site on Aug. 22nd. 2005. He said that a professional Archaeologist would also be needed to monitor excavation work carried out and to be included in discussions on the design of the foundations needed to support the cantilevered wall on the southwest. A Conservation Structural Engineer with knowledge in the design of stabilizing national Monuments would also be required.
Hugh Carey, Senior Archaeologist, Dept. of the Environment visited the site on Aug. 22nd. He agreed that collapse could occur at any time. He supported the plans presented to implement work necessary to secure the structure. He said that an approved Archaeologist could go ahead and submit to the Department the necessary documentation to proceed with an exploratory dig in the area that the foundation pad will be required for the south west wall. Hugh is providing additional information on Archaeologist in the region.
Clare County Council
Met with acting Senior Planner Graham Webb (Dick Cronin is on holidays) who verified acute condition of the castle. He expressed some concern regarding the south wall falling out and the safety of the golfers under the present conditions. He would like a formal letter of intent sent to the County Council, This letter was sent to his attention with sketch attached of work to be carried out.
Office of Public Works - Spoke to Paul McMahon, Architect Public Works – who advised me on protocol regarding work necessary to secure structure and on insurance.
There are four types of grants available to owners of Historic Sites:
- Local authority conservation grants.
- Heritage Council Building at Risk grants;
- Section 482 tax relief.
- Irish Georgian Society grants.
All of these funding sources are being researched at the present time, but they will not be applicable for emergency stabilization.
- Insurance and liability
- A Public Liability Agreement should be adequate at this stage if the golf club has done its duty not to allure people on to the site by means of constructing a fence and adequate signage.
- It is now necessary to extend the parameters of the fence to allow adequate room for scaffold and a safe working environment within. It should be constructed 2 meters high in a manner that would prevent golf balls from passing through the fence.
- Signage should be installed to warn, to educate, to seek fund. Sample.
DANGER WARNING
PLEASE KEEP OUT
DO NOT ENTER
CASTLE IN DANGER OF COLLAPSE
RESTORATION PENDING FUNDING CAMPAIGN
- Construction
- Require Project Manager for all work carried out on site. One who will represent the owners and the lessees ‘Lahinch Golf Club and ensure that all regulations regarding National Monuments are adhered to. The applicant should have adequate training, knowledge and expertise in the field of conservation and is familiar with the process as laid out for RMP’s (record of monuments and places). Approval should be sought from Freddie O’Dwyer, Senior Architect, National Monuments, Department of the Environment. frederick_o’dwyer@environ.ie Tel: 01-8883151.
- Aug 11th. and Aug. 12th. Met with Conservation Stonemason Owen Madagen from Ennistymon. He comes with recommendations from Patrick McAfee through the Irish Georgian Society. He would be available to reconstruct the Quoins, (Cornerstones) of the castle and to build the stonework necessary for stabilization of the southwest wall, under supervision.
- Contacted well known Conservation Contractor David Higgins of Cornerstone Construction who is very interested in the project.
