KILDARE: Update delivered on conservation efforts for Friary Ruins in Clane

Kildare County Council (KCC) has issued an update on the conservation efforts for the Friary Ruins in Clane.

Independent councillor Pádraig McEvoy asked KCC for the update while in attendance at the Clane-Maynooth Municipal District meeting, which was held on Friday, January 5.

Specifically, he asked KCC 'to summarise and shares the report detailing the completed conservation efforts on the Friary Ruins in Clane, partially funded by Local Property Tax allocations.'

His motion was seconded by Fine Gael Cllr Brendan Wyse.

REPORT FROM THE COUNCIL

In a report at the meeting, a KCC representative said: "Kildare County Council received funding from both the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Community Monuments Fund 2023 and Kildare County Council’s Local Property Tax fund to carry out conservation work to Clane Friary (CMF23-I-KD003).

"The project was overseen by David Kelly Partnership with Stonecraft Restoration Ltd undertaking the onsite works."

KCC also said that a number of works — such as repointed walls, consolidated reinstated facework, and the removal of vegetation — had taken place at the Friary Ruins.

MAINTENANCE STRATEGY

The following was also noted in KCC's report: "To ensure the future of Clane Friary, the consultants also prepared a maintenance strategy.

"Firstly, that the wall should be inspected visually on a monthly basis, by a member of the local community group, to identify any sudden changes, vandalism, loss of masonry.

"Secondly, that the wall should be weeded by hand annually to prevent ivy and vegetation re-establishing itself on the wall.

"Thirdly, that the condition of the wall should be reviewed prior to commencement of any further conservation works to the monument and at least every five years by a conservation professional experienced in the assessment of historic masonry walls," KCC concluded.

The motion was proposed by Independent councillor Pádraig McEvoy.