RAHAN MONASTIC SITE - Offaly County Council

6.0 CONSERVATION POLICIESPolicy 4g: ServicesThe previous electrical installation is now redundant and requires full replacement. This should include a limitednumber of power socket outlets, and a simple lighting scheme for the nave and chancel with an external fittingto light the exterior at the entrance when the church is in use after dark. A new heating scheme should also beinstalled: an electrical storage heating system is probably the least damaging to the historic fabric and setting,if not the most environmentally sustainable or cost efficient option to run.A pipe to provide water to the site could be installed below the roadway leading to the church and moderngraveyard. This should be undertaken with appropriate archaeological permissions and supervision.Policy 4h: DecorationsLime wash coatings should be applied to the walls and ceilings of the nave and chancel. There will be no limewashingto the stone carvings of the chancel arch and windows until expert advice has been sought and agreement reachedwith the DoEHLG. Although there is clear evidence of previous lime wash coatings to the figure sculpture in thechancel arch no new limewashing will be undertaken. The figure sculpture in the chancel arch should be left as isuntil further expert advice of a conservator of decorative stonework can be sought.Policy 4i: Historic PaintworkAn analysis of the traces of paintwork should be undertaken by a specialist historic paint conservator.Policy 4j: MaintenanceSystematic care based on good maintenance and housekeeping is both cost effective and fundamental to goodconservation. Every building needs regular maintenance to keep the wearing and weathering of surfaces ingood order and to protect the vulnerable internal fabric from damage. In order to keep the church in good repair,regular use, inspection and maintenance will be necessary.A comprehensive maintenance regime should be prepared by a suitably qualified person, and formally adoptedwith sufficient funds found to commission regular annual and quinquennial inspections, consequential repairsand an ongoing maintenance programme.6.5 Small Church and Tower HouseNeither of these structures could be considered to be at risk, although it would be prudent to monitor the conditionof the small church to assess the impact of cattle rubbing against the fine Romanesque doorway. It will also bedesirable in the long term to replace all cement pointing with lime and sand to create a clearer pattern of themasonry units from which their complex building histories could better be interpreted. The small church inparticular contains a fascinating collection of cut stone probably salvaged from the Church of St Carthage.Policy 5a: Smaller ChurchStone-by-stone line drawings of all the wall faces of the small church should be undertaken to record this buildingas it stands.Policy 5b: Wall HeadsThe OPW should continue to carry out routine maintenance to the small church and ruins of the tower house withparticular attention to the wall tops and the protection of the walls.Policy 5c: Sheela-na-GigThe Sheela-na-Gig, found on site in 1971, is currently housed in the Museum of Athlone Castle. However, as thisis not a designated museum and is not open regularly to visitors, the option of displaying the Sheela-na-Gigwithin the safety of the Church of St Carthage should be considered. This should be discussed with the appropriatemuseum authorities and with the Church of Ireland community.66