COMHAIRLE CONTAE THA CLIATH THEAS 

SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL 

 

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE MEETING (1)

Monday 15th September 2008

Headed Item No: H-I (7)

The progress of works on the Kilininny Tower

1.0 Introduction 

1.1 Location

Killininny Tower is located within the housing estate of Oldcourt Manor, off the Killininny / Scholarstown Link Road, Tallaght. It is in a ruinous state and enclosed by palisade fencing on the public open space.


Figure 1 Site location map

1.2 History of the Site

Killininny Tower dates from earlier than 1600. The standing remains indicate a multi-phase building. Previous excavations to the south, west and north have indicated an extensive formally landscaped area consistent with a walled garden or orchard and a possible lawn area with occasional small structures.  

1.3 Appearance

The site appears as the remains of probably a two-storey rectangular structure measuring approximately 18.9 x 8.5 metres with steeply pitched gables and a tower in the southwest corner. 

1.4 Materials

The building is composed of random rubble calp masonry with roughly dressed mainly granite quoins.

 

Figure 2 Western elevation Photograph taken March 2007

Figure 3 Eastern elevation Photograph taken March 2007 

Figure 4 Tower Photograph taken March 2007

1.5 Designation

1.5.1 Recorded Monument

The site is designated as a Recorded Monument as per the Record of Monuments and Places, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government; site DU-022-047. 

1.5.2 Protected Structure

The site is also designated as a Protected Structure as per the Record of Protected Structures, South Dublin Co. Co., Development Plan 2004-2010 and Schedule 2 record of protected structures RPS Ref. 350; Killininny; Ecclesiastical Remains, Stone Church [Ruin] & Graveyard

1.5.3 Licence for Works

It is a legal requirement to seek the written consent of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government under Section 14 of the National monuments act 1930, as amended by Section 5 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 2004 in advance of carrying out any works on a recorded monument.

2.0 Works to Date 

In 2004 the Parks & Landscape Services Department commissioned a report by Mr. Jason Bolton, Conservation Consultant. The purpose of the report was to evaluate the condition of the structure and its immediate surroundings and to make recommendations for consolidation and preservation of the remaining building.  

In summer 2005 work was undertaken within the tower enclosure in accordance with recommendations of the Conservation Consultants report. The work involved excavation of an above ground level spoil mound adjacent to the tower. It was carried out under supervision of the Conservation Consultant who reported findings to Mr. Chris Corlett, Archeologist for Dublin Region, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. All useable stone and brick was carefully sorted and stockpiled on site. The licencing section of the DoEHLG advised that Ministerial consent was not required as the works did not involve below ground level excavations.

Work also involved the removal of overgrown vegetation from around the tower base allowing the structure to be visible and to reduce the threat of ongoing antisocial behavior and vandalism of the structure. This work was also carried out under supervision of the Conservation Consultant.

See Appendix No. 2 - Archaeological Monitoring by Mr. Jason Bolton, Sept. 2005 

Figure 5 View of enclosure with sorted stone and brick

Photograph taken March 2007

2006 

In 2006 to facilitate conservation and restoration works of re-instatement, re-pointing and capping of wall sections, a mortar analysis was commissioned from the Conservation Consultant to ensure that new lime mortar was compatible with the original lime mortar.  

In addition, the Parks Department commissioned a report and examination of the structure by an Engineer & Historic Buildings Consultant. This examination revealed an initial and immediate requirement to temporarily take down the unstable upper section of the tower and to stabilize the entire structure so as to make it safe prior to the commencement of any conservation and restoration works.

The report outlined a possible procedure of how the works should be carried out and recommended that a contractor experienced in such works carry them out.  

Danger and Keep Out warning signage was renewed. Repairs were also carried out to the enclosing palisade fence.  

2007

In 2007, an application for grant assistance, under the Civic Structures Conservation Grants Scheme 2007, was made to the DoEHLG and a grant of 30,000 was awarded towards the cost of restoration works. The allocation was made in May 2007 on the understanding that conservation works would be completed, appropriately certified and claimed from the Department before the end of November 2007.  

The proposed works included taking down the unstable upper section of the tower and stabilising and supporting the walls with the agreement of the Councils Conservation Officer. As these works required the consent of the Minister, an application for a licence was made to the DoEHLG. However, a section of the tower collapsed in October 2007 before a licence had been issued for the work. The remaining part of the tower was taken down under advice from the Conservation Officer. As it had not been possible to carry out any restoration works before the end of November, the grant could not be drawn down.  

2008

In early 2008, additional security fencing was installed around the boundary of the site to provide an area for a restoration works compound and to enhance public safety. As the structure, particularly the remains of the tower, are currently in an unstable condition, the signage and fencing are monitored on an ongoing basis and repaired or replaced as necessary. 

A consultant Conservation Architect has been requested by the Parks Department to prepare a detailed tender specification and documentation to enable the Council to seek by public tender a contractor with the necessary skills and expertise to undertake the restoration project. This process is currently ongoing. 

3.0 Proposed Conservation & Restoration Works 

As this is a conservation and restoration project, it is the intention of the Parks & Landscape Services Department that the principles of conservation will underlie all works on site. Principles to include: minimum intervention, repair rather than replace, honesty of repair, use of appropriate materials and methods and reversibility of alterations. 

Phase 1:

1. Stability: 

A) Temporary removal of unstable upper section of tower to make structure safe in order facilitate works sequence:

- Propping & stabilization
- Walls
- Internal structures & features 

N.B. Upon propping and stabilization all removed stone will be re-instated to upper section of tower using correct methods and materials. 

B) Propping and stabilization to make structure stable -

Reduce risk of collapse, weathering, fire, vandalism, unauthorised access and to make safe in order to facilitate carrying out of conservation & restoration works. 

Phase 2: 

1. Walls: 

Removal of previous concrete block work and cement plaster repairs, replacement with original stone located on site and re-pointing & re-capping using lime mortar.

Re-instate upper section of tower using original stone & lime mortar. 

2. Internal Structure & Features: 

Conservation of internal tower ceiling and stucco cornicing.

Following the report by Mr. Dermot Nolan, dated Oct. 2006, it is proposed that the works be tendered and carried out in two consecutive phases by qualified specialists with previous experience. As the structure is a Recorded Monument, any proposed works will require the written Ministerial consent as per Section 14 of The National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended by Section 5 of The National Monuments (Amendment) Act 2004).  

It is proposed that any works will also be carried out under the supervision of the following:

4.0 Recommendation & Cost Estimate 

The project involves considerable cost for which substantial funding is required. The Parks Department has provisionally estimated the cost to be in the region of 230,000. The estimate is based upon provisional quotations received.  

The following is a breakdown:

Phase 1:

Item Work Description Cost
Estimate
Stabilise existing structure Temporary removal of unstable upper section of tower.  Propping & stabilization to make structure stable to enable restoration works to proceed.

Sub total



110,000

 Phase 2:

Walls



Tower

Internal Structure and Features		 Removal of previous concrete block work & cement plaster repairs, replacement with original stone located on site.

Re-pointing & re-capping using lime mortar.  

Re-instatement of upper section of tower using original stone & lime mortar.

Conservation of internal tower ceiling & stucco cornicing. 

Site clean and tidy up to make safe/good. 

Sub total










120,000
  Total 230,000

Possible sources for funding identified are:

It is clear that a considerable funding shortfall arises for which there is no immediate source is identifiable.

In the short term, no further work can be carried out on Kilininny Tower until the following matters are addressed:

In light of the present financial circumstances, it is proposed to defer the appointment of consultants until the budgetary position for 2009 is clarified through the Estimates process.