SPAB Ireland Working Party 2019

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Each year the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) runs several working parties to gather volunteers, community members, historic building professionals and conservation specialists for a short period of work and learning, whilst putting our expertise and knowledge into practice on a historic building in need. The SPAB Ireland Working Party 2019 will take place at Woodfield Farm Buildings, Birr, Co. Offaly from 23rd-25th August 2019 to coincide with Heritage Week. The farm buildings are part of the curtilage of Woodfield House, an 18th century Protected Structure which is in private ownership and part of the Rosse Estate at Birr. Over 3 days, participants will learn to carry out essential repairs on a variety of building materials that make up this fascinating 17th century farm complex. The Working Party is generously part funded by grants from the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Creative Ireland. This annual event has become very popular, attracting volunteers ranging from heritage and architectural professionals, to students and historic homeowners, to those with an informed amateur interest in heritage. Experts will be on hand at all times to guide volunteers through the work.

BUY YOUR TICKET HERE

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-spab-ireland-working-party-2019-tickets-62414658925

Activities Planned

Day 1, Thursday 22nd - Evening arrival.  Volunteers are welcome to arrive in the evening and come to the on-site camping area (in a beautiful disused walled garden) from late afternoon onwards.

Day 2, Friday 23rd - Introductory morning session including site history, SPAB philosophy of repair, Health & Safety, introduction to lime mortars. Workshops on site including lime mixing, repointing and structural repairs to historic masonry walls, lime kiln building and burning, timber formwork, joinery repairs, sketching, archaeological investigation. Evening BBQ and music.

Day 3, Saturday 24th - Workshops on site including repairs to historic ironwork and metalwork, building maintenance, recording and surveying of built heritage. Lime workshops, wall repairs and timber workshops from Day 1 continue. Evening tour of Birr Castle and grounds, followed by meal in castle grounds and evening traditional music seisiún in local pub.

Day 4, Sunday 25th - Public open day including demonstrations from traditional craftspeople. Lime workshops, wall repairs and metalwork repairs continue. Afternoon- final tidy up and departure.

Notes for Applicants

The cost for this event goes towards the cost of catering (breakfast, lunch and tea breaks), insurance and materials.  Cost shown are per day, per person for SPAB (and student or unwaged) and non-SPAB members. There will be additional costs to cover evening meals, which will be confirmed closer the time.

Costs

*Please note* - all payments must be received prior to our confirmation of your place on the Working Party.  

Non-SPAB members: €25 per day (Friday or Saturday) or €40 for the full weekend, plus booking fees.

SPAB Members / Student: €15 per day (Friday or Saturday) or €25 for the full weekend, plus booking fees.

Sunday’s public open day is free of charge.

Camping is available free of charge on site, in a beautiful disused walled garden.  Free parking on site is available. Other accommodation is available locally at participants expense in hotels, Airbnbs, etc. We can provide a list of local accommodation if required.

Breakfast will be cereals and toast. Lunch will be of a communal nature (dietary options given). Dinner will be an evening BBQ on the first night and a meal in the Birr castle grounds on the second night.  There will be an additional charge for evening meals and activities.

Site insurance is included in all tickets.

Refunds: Please note, refunds will not be made in the event of cancellations less than two weeks before the event.

Safety Equipment

Basic safety equipment (eye protection, face masks, gloves, hi-vis) will be supplied on site for those who do not have it (please let us know if you require PPE when booking) but each volunteer must dress appropriately, wearing warm, waterproof clothing with sturdy shoes (site boots preferable).

If you are accepted onto the Working Party, we will send you a separate list of useful equipment to bring with you.

Travel to Tullynisk

Buses from Dublin to Birr Square: Kearns Bus no. 847 goes from James’s Gate , Ushers Quay

https://kearnstransport.com/dublin-service/

Buses from Galway to Birr Square: Kearns Bus no. 844 goes from Merchants Road

https://kearnstransport.com/galway-service/

Birr Square to Tullynisk House: 30 minute walk or 10 minute car or bike journey

If you have any further questions please contact SPAB Ireland at spabireland@gmail.com

 

When
23rd August 2019 9:00 AM to 25th August 2019 3:00 PM
Location
Woodfield House and Farm Buildings
Birr, OY
Ireland
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Event website filters
Audience Introductory CPD, General interest, ,
Organised By SPAB Ireland
Region Republic of Ireland
Event website information
Event quote

Being able to work under the guidance of a group of experts and ask them questions has given me the confidence to work with these materials.

I have never had an opportunity like it despite having studied and been involved in specifying for approx. 20 years!
REF  2018 SPAB Ireland WP Participants
Required Equipment Safety Equipment Basic safety equipment (eye protection, face masks, gloves, hi-vis) will be supplied on site for those who do not have it (please let us know if you require PPE when booking) but each volunteer must dress appropriately for outdoors.