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Finns were privileged to be commissioned
in 2007 to specify a full restoration programme to one of Dublin's most
iconic landmarks, St Peter's Church in Phibsboro.
New thinking at the Church wished to move
away from ad hoc modern repairs of the past and institute a phased
restoration programme using traditional methods and techniques in
keeping with current government requirements on Protected Structures.
Finns also advised on sources of Grant
Funding to alleviate the costs of the project.
Phase I of the Project was the repair and
restoration of the Chapel of Adoration, home to priceless stained glass
by Harry Clarke, which was suffering from extremely degraded plasterwork
and internal fabric due to leaks.
Finns conducted exploratory roof works
and repairs, outlined a phased and holistic restoration programme
following a series of materials analyses which pinpointed the exact
binder and aggregates to us to allow the full re-pointing and
replastering back in original lime.
Once the lime was restored, Finns used
special breathable clay paints to return the original decorative
interior to its former glory.
Phase II has involved the replacement,
renewal and refurbishment of cast iron rainwater goods sourced from UK
foundries.
Phase III is now focusing on the repair
to the external Church fabric.
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St Peter's Church
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Working in a place of worship requires
sensitive co-oridination with the Church and the congregation not least
when in this case Finns had to devise a special Works Programme as the
Church remained 'live' during the project.
The Chapel of Adoration is home to the
1919 Harry Clarke stained glass masterpiece The Adoraton fo the Sacred
Heart and Finns had to devise a safe and secure system of protection for
the priceless artefact during the works and the assembly of temporary
scaffold access.
We are happy to report the window emerged
unscathed.
Finns worked closely with the Parish
administration to prepare a phased restoration programme which started
from the roof fabric and external failed fabric before tackling the
internal renovation.
The external cast iron goods were in
parlous condition and Finns were able to source like-for-like original
replacements and to reduce client costs our metal crasftsmen able to
restore many cast iron sections to a functioning state.
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