durrow abbey co. offaly conservation plan - Offaly County Council

to prohibit alterations to the fabric, layout or use of
the house which may be required to satisfy modern
standards and operational needs.
Policy 22. Additions
Where it is necessary for additions to be made to
existing fabric these should be respectful in character,
scale and materials. They should not imitate the
original building.
Policy 23. New services
Where it is necessary for new services to be introduced
in an existing building a policy of minimal
intervention to the original fabric should be followed.
Policy 24. Recording
Prior to any major changes being under taken to the
built features at Durrow a full photographic record
should be under taken.
Policies relating to Durrow Abbey House
Policy 25. Durrow Abbey House
The exterior of Durrow Abbey House should be
repaired with no alteration or extension to the
exterior nor th, south or east elevations. There is
scope for alteration to the western elevation fronting
the sunken cour tyard, however the contemplative
character of the cloistered cour tyard to the
rear of the house should be retained.
There is scope for alteration to the interior of
Durrow Abbey House. The layout of the building
relates to the 1926 reconfiguration of the building
by Ralph Byrne.
Signatures of tradesmen and contractors of the
1927 work survive on the plaster ceiling of the
room providing the access hatch to the roof. These
are impor tant records of the social history of the
building and should be preserved.
Policies relating to the Gate Lodge
and Entrance Gates
The gate lodge provides the first point of contact
for a visitor to Durrow Abbey. It is a good example
of the Tudor Gothic style, although modest in size
and simple in design, it is an impor tant component
of the Durrow estate. It is the only gate lodge to
remain in the same ownership as the house, and
stands adjacent to the main entry gate to the
estate.
Policy 26. Gate Lodge
The gate lodge should be repaired, re-used and
maintained. The interior has decayed greatly due to
water ingress. The lodge could serve a number of
uses including residential use, holiday accommodation
or as a visitor interpretation center for the
rest of the site. The brick extension on the south
elevation should be removed. There is scope for
re-building a single storey extension on the south
elevation should additional accommodation be
required in the future use of the building.
Policy 27. Gates and Railings
The wrought iron gates and railings are of high
quality in their design and craftsmanship and should
be carefully repaired using traditional forged techniques.
Missing elements should be restored based
on surviving evidence.
Policies relating to the Service Yards
The service yards pre-date the current Durrow
Abbey House and are a good example of the
extent and type of service cour t required by big
houses. The classical style of the buildings and the
completeness of design adds to their interest. Fine
materials and skilled craftsmanship are in evidence
throughout. The east yard, containing the stables,
was designed with some refinement, but remained
incomplete without its east range. The many variations
to the quality and regularity of the masonry
found in the west yard suggests either numerous
alterations or, more likely, a tightening of financial
resources during the construction.
Policy 28. Service yards
In its current form, the service yard complex
remains relatively intact and retains its architectural
significance. While the roofs have largely failed,
leading to advanced internal decay and dilapidation,
the masonry shells would appear to be sound and
capable of reuse with relatively minor repair.
There is evidence for an intended east wing to the
east yard which was never constructed. Should
additional accommodation be required in any future
use of the cour tyards there is scope for building an
additional wing to enclose this cour tyard.
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