ARCHITECT NICOLA RYAN’S PROJECT TIPS

1 Seek advice from a building professional such as an architect, engineer or surveyor who has experience dealing with conservation or older properties. The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) has a list of registered architects working on this type of project, riai.ie

2 Ensure rainwater is gathered properly from the building — this includes making sure the roof is watertight, gutters and downpipes are sound and drainage is sufficient. “I’d recommend installing a French drain to the perimeter of a traditional structure,” says Nicola. “This will reduce damp levels at the base of the wall. A leaking gutter over a long period can do terrible damage.”

3 Get informed about the best approach to older properties. There are a number of helpful booklets available to guide you published by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht along with the RIAI, spanning roofs to window repairs to energy efficiency and everything in between. They are available free to download at chg.gov.ie/heritage/heritagepublications/ or riai.ie. Pick up

a copy of Irish Period Houses: A Conservation Guidance Manual

by Frank Keohane, it’s excellent, while stonemason Pat McAfee’s

books on Lime Works and Irish Stone Walls are a mine of information for dealing with traditional structures. 4 It is essential that materials used within a traditional building should maintain the breathability of the old fabric. Nicola recommends Ecological Building Systems — good for advice, products and assisting with specifications; ecologicalbuildingsystems.com

5 Commit to a regular maintenance programme to ensure the property is kept in best condition. A leak will never fix itself.