Report Authors;

Aine Crimin; Lorna Lacey; Dennis Morgan; Conor Sweeney

CONSERVATION REPORT
The Protestant Church @ Grangegorman

DT105.3 - Architectural Technology

Project III: Conservation
Submitted: 01.11.2010
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Table of Contents

Section Page #
1. Introduction 3

2. Historical Study 4

3. Survey Material 9

4. Photographic Survey 20

5. Dilapidations Report 25

6. Conservation Guidelines & Recommendations 30

7. Schedule of Works 33

8. Appendix 54

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Introduction
Subject Building Conclusion

The building surveyed is the Church of Ireland church building in the grounds of St.
Brendan’s Hospital, Grangegorman. The building was built in the mid 19th century as a
chapel for Anglican patients and staff at the facility and through the years has been re-
purposed and altered. The most glaring alteration has been the addition of block work
partitions to accommodate toilet and storage space.
The building is in poor condition generally. The access road has degraded into swamp-
like conditions and the church is no longer visible from the road due to it’s extremely
overgrown surrounds. The vegetation overgrowth has penetrated the building fabric in
places.
Visibility inside the building is poor as there is no functioning power supply for lamps and
the windows are badly stained and dirtied. However, we were successful in completing a
measurement survey and through use of torches and flash photography we are confi-
dent we have thoroughly examined the damaged elements of the structure.
While this project presented it’s share of challenges in terms of planning and delegation,
overcoming problems with visibility and access we believe we have accomplished our
aims to the best of our ability and are proud of the body of work we have produced.
We have really enjoyed being able to work with this building. For all that’s dilapidated
and degraded about it, it has retained it’s character and it’s stability. We believe it is a
diamond in the rough and we look forward to visiting when she has been restored to her
former glory and given a purpose again.
We would like to thank the staff of St. Brendan’s & the Grangegorman Development
Agency for their kindness, hospitality and helpfulness in facilitating us in this project.

Contents of Report

We have approached this report and survey from a number of perspectives;

• Physical survey encompassing measurement survey, photographic survey and
general appraisal of dilapidations and recommendations. From this we have as-
sembled a full set of scaled drawings of the chapel, a 3-d model, 3-d sketch work,
a full dilapidations report with associated recommendations and a Schedule of
Works.
• Historical Research involving delving into the history of the building, why it was
constructed, why it fell out of use as a church and the other uses it has been put to
before ultimately becoming disused and abandoned.
• Building Surrounds: We have sourced a number of historical maps in an effort to
tell the story of the changes to this building’s environment and context over the
past 150 years.
• Structural analysis: We have prepared sketches and a building section drawing in
order to convey the overall make up and construction of the building.

Limitations of Report CofI Chapel

While unobstructed access to the building was not an issue, thanks to the courtesy and
Grangegorman
hospitality of the staff at St. Brendan’s, there were some practical issues surrounding the
condition of the building that prevented some elements of our survey.
• As mentioned, the visibility was an initial problem, one that we hope we have com-
pensated for.
• The west elevation of the building was entirely inaccessible for recording and
measuring purposes due to overgrowth. However we are certain it is a mirror im-
age of the east elevation minus the vestry extension.
• Availability of historical sources and information on the building was found to be
scarce. However we have managed to gather the more pertinent facts and informa-
tion.
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2. Historical Study
Development of Grangegorman
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Historical Study
Development of Grangegorman
Historical context of building By 1809 house of industry was composed of: The House of Industry, The Bedford Asylum, The
Hardwicke Fever Hospital and Hardwicke Lunatic Asylum.
This is a report on the history and background of the church of Ireland chapel in the In 1814 The Richmond Lunatic asylum opened. It was built to the west of the poorhouse. It was
Grangegorman complex. named the Richmond asylum after the lord lieutenant Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond. The
While researching the chapel our group found it increasingly difficult to gain information on Asylum was composed of 3, 3 storey wings enclosing a courtyard. It aimed to deal with patients
the subject. What we did discover and what will be outlined in this report is: Firstly, the his- whose mental illnesses were considered to be treatable.
tory of the Grangegorman site. Secondly, information on the chapel; its design and the style
in comparison to other church of Ireland chapels. Finally details of the architect who de- In 1815, Act of Geo III, Board of Governors was appointed to manage the institution.
signed the chapel and related works. In 1820 the Richmond penitentiary was constructed immediately to the north of the Richmond luna-
tic asylum as a prison for both male and female offenders. The penitentiary was considered neces-
sary given the escalating number of criminals who found themselves residents at the asylum. In
History of Grangegorman
1827 it was taken over as a cholera hospital.
In 1832 the penitentiary gardens were incorporated as part of the Richmond asylum site and it’s
In 1703 The Irish parliament established a workhouse in Dublin at Grangegorman. The in-
mentioned that they were dedicated as a burial ground for a cholera epidemic in the same year.
stitution, known as the House of Industry, was to be governed by a corporation whose
These gardens lay to the west of the current Grangegorman site.
members included the Lord Lieutenant, the Lord Mayor, the Lord Chancellor and the
In 1849 the architect William Murray designed and constructed a Roman Catholic Church, followed
Archbishop of Dublin. The institution was as a place of detention for beggars and respite for
by a fever hospital the next year and the District asylum in 1854.
the poor in the county of Dublin. The Governors had the authority to detain all beggars
found in the city. Destitute children between five and 16 years old were kept in the institu-
tion, trained for apprenticeship to ‘honest Protestants’, and then apprenticed until the men
reached the age of 24 and the women 21.
A number of statutes, including 1 Geo. II, c. 27, applied public taxation to cover the cost en-
sued by the housing of the poor.
The Dublin House Of industry grew rapidly. It became the poorhouse for the country and
included sections used as asylums for the aged, infirm, homeless children and incurable
lunatics.
In 1772 in a further statute, 11 & 12 Geo. III, c. 11, which also combined previous legisla-
tion, it was decided that it was inappropriate for institutions, poorhouse and asylum, to exist
under the same roof. The act provided half acre sites for the houses. This was not enough
for Dublin. In 1787 an act was passed, 27 Geo III c.57, by which they were empowered to
take in addition 4 acres of ground. This was later increased to 11 acres.
This statute was a radical change to the system of managing the poor and orphans. The
institutions were divided. A new House of Industry was built in 1773 and the old building left
to the Foundling Hospital, a home for abandoned or homeless children.
Over the next three decades there were many developments undertaken in Grangegorman.
In 1798 a children’s home was opened. In 1806 a new asylum for children was opened, this
asylum was called Bedford Asylum, after duke of Bedford. In 1803 Hardwicke fever hospital
was erected.

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Historical Study
Development of Grangegorman
Church history The roof structure is formed by a series of timber scissor bracing (similar to those used in the Ely
Cathedral), on top of these are by timber purlins with rafters laying on these. Above these ele-
In the 1860s the Richmond penitentiary underwent improvements and extensions. It was ments are diagonal timber sarking boards. Slates are used to finish the roof.
during this time that the church of Ireland chapel was built. The interior of the chapel is relatively unadorned, apart from the stain glass windows.
The chapel was built in 1860, in a low area on the west side of the Grangegorman lane, At the time when this chapel was built the church of Ireland was the official established church in
situated in the penitentiary gardens. Ireland, imposed by British Rule. The Church of Ireland was funded partially by tax forced on all
There is a tunnel between the church of Ireland and the asylum ground to the east of the Irish subjects of the Crown. The Irish Church Act 1869 finally ended the role of the Church of Ire-
site. This tunnel was used to transfer patients between the two areas. land as state church.
The chapel is of early English The institutions in Ireland were established and controlled by the British, moreover they were com-
Gothic style. The chapel has a cru- monly founded and run with a centrally religious philosophy. This could be the explanation of the
ciform plan, four bays with an apsi- construction of the church of Ireland chapel at this time.
dal chancel –a semi dome. The The style of this chapel is similar to many church of Ireland churches. This can be seen in the fol-
transepts are not original and were lowing photographs:
added around 1900 along with a
vestry to the east elevation. Other
additions have been made, two
modern concrete block walled in-
ternal rooms, at opposite sides to
the entrance and an external boiler
house. The entrance is situated to
the north, with a projecting porch.
The walls are 660mm thick and of Left to Right: Crohane Church of Ireland; Clogherny Church of Ireland; Clonbeg church
snecked calp limestone. Snecked stone masonry is a method of tying together irregular
sized stones in courses which create a high strength wall. The proof of this quality is seen
in this building as the structure is still sound.
George Wilkinson - Architect
The walls are surrounded by a stepped plinth and edged with cornerstones.
The English gothic style is evident in the chapel. This style stresses height which can be The chapel was built to designs by George Wilkinson. Born in Witney, Oxfordshire in 1814.His
seen in the ratio of height to the width of the nave, which is approximately 3:2 works are predominantly associated with workhouses and public buildings. Although later on in his
Pointed arch windows and doors are used throughout, another characteristic of this style. career he designed railway stations including the Harcourt street station in Dublin.
Single lancet windows run along the side of the nave, to the sides of the porch and around In 1839 he was invitde to Ireland as the Chief Architect to the Poor Law Commissioners in Ireland
the apse. At the transepts are triple lancets, grouped together under a single hood mould- in 1839. He worked for them up until 1855, when the commissioners could no longer afford to keep
ing. To the exterior, the windows are contained by carved roll mouldings, with strange him.
heads at their ends and block surrounds. The pointed arch entrance also is decorated with In August 1860 he was appointed architect to the commissions of asylums for the lunatic poor. It
roll mouldings and block surrounds. The front door is constructed of timber with strap was during this time that he worked at Grangegorman, designing the Church of Ireland Chapel. He
hinges. also designed two identical asylums at Castlebar (St. Mary’s) and Letterkenny (St. Conal’s). The
The windows are composed of leaded surrounds and stain glass. The stain glass decora- buildings are in Victorian Neo-Georgian style.
tion on the majority of the windows that remain are quite plain, whereas the windows
around the apse are far more embellished, with foliage style patterns.
Another characteristic of the style is tracing, this is apparent on the north elevation in the
form of the trefoil window.

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Historical Study
Development of Grangegorman

2) 1863 Map of Dublin City

This map, 22-26 years after the last map shows the
chapel in it’s third year after construction. Note the
farmland and underdeveloped nature this area of Dub-
lin at the time.

1) 1837-42 OSI Historical Map

3) 1885 Map of Dublin City
This famine-era map displays the site of the future
Chapel on the grounds of the Richmond Penitentiary. This map shows the chapel in the more familiar set-
At this time the grounds we now know as St. Bren- ting of what we now know as St. Brendan’s Hospital,
dans were used as the gardens and as a burial site for which at the time functioned as a fever hospital and
victims of the cholera epidemic. Catholic chapel as part of the overall asylum complex.

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Historical Study
Development of Grangegorman

5) 2010 OSI Map (Present Day)

Extensive extensions to St. Brendans site are

visible in the modern map when compared to the
historic maps, and also the decline of the extent
of the prison complex across the road. The ac-
cess roads and paths displayed are accurate in
their location but convey nothing of their degraded
state.

4) 1888-1913 OSI Historical Map 4) The Future: Grangegorman Masterplan

This maps shows evidence of the churches gateway Above is the future envisaged for this site in terms of
entrance, which has since been closed and blocked the new DIT campus at Grangegorman. We can see a
up. The archway is still visible on the Grangegorman reintegration of the church into it’s environment. It is
Road. This may be interpreted as the start of the envisaged that the church will perform the role of an
churches decline in stature in relation to it’s surround- exhibition space for the college. Landscaping will join
ing neighbour buildings. the chapel to it’s neighbours environment.

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 3. Survey Drawings
2D Drawings, Sketches & 3D Computer Model
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Survey Drawings
2D Drawings, Sketches & 3D Computer Model

Church Plan

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Survey Drawings
2D Drawings, Sketches & 3D Computer Model

North (Front) Elevation

Scale 1:100

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Survey Drawings
2D Drawings, Sketches & 3D Computer Model

West Elevation
Scale 1:100

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Survey Drawings
2D Drawings, Sketches & 3D Computer Model

South (Rear) Elevation

Scale 1:100

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Survey Drawings
2D Drawings, Sketches & 3D Computer Model

East Elevation
Scale 1:100

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Survey Drawings
2D Drawings, Sketches & 3D Computer Model

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 Survey Drawings
2D Drawings, Sketches & 3D Computer Model

3-D Freehand sketch showing roof truss supports building into wall @ internal
transept/apse junction. (Grid Ref: C2)
3-D Freehand sketch showing roof construction. Timber scissor trusses & purlins supporting battens, supporting
diagonal timber sarking boards supporting natural slate roof cladding

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Survey Drawings
2D Drawings, Sketches & 3D Computer Model

SLATES

SNECKED CALP LIME- TIMBER BATTENS

STONE

PAINTED PLASTERED
WALLS
TIMBER PURLIN DIAGONAL SHEETED
TIMBER BOARDS
STEPPED SPLAYED
PLINTH

SCISSOR BRACE TIMBER ROOF

STRUCTURE TIMBER RAFTER

3D sketch showing structural build up of roof.

Grid Ref: Along gridline 5

3D Sketch showing structural build up of wall.

Grid Ref: Along gridline 5

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 Survey Drawings
2D Drawings, Sketches & 3D Computer Model

Rear View West Side View

North East View

East Side View

South East View
Front

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Survey Drawings
2D Drawings, Sketches & 3D Computer Model

Front Door
Lancet Window Exterior Lancet Interior

Transept Trefoil Window Exterior

Porch Windows

Internal/External
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4. Photographic Survey
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5. Dilapidations Report
Performed Using NBS
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Dilapidations Report
Performed Using NBS

NBS – C40: Cleaning of Masonry

The Calk stone walls around the building to a greater or lesser degree all appear to be
stained from moss or algae. The condition is worst at internal corners of the external wall and
on the cut limestone plinth. The cause appears to be from rainwater leaking from the old gut-
ters as the gable walls are the least affected. The walls of the west transept are covered in
graffiti also. It is unclear on inspection what effect ivy growth has had on the affected areas of
stonework.

Fig1 & 2: Algae/Moss staining @ Corner of Transept & Nave Fig3: Graffiti @ Transept Gable

NBS – C52: Preservation of Timber

While the trusses appear to have been preserved intact due to their varnishing, the timber di-
agonal sarking boards in the roof show dark staining owing to the leaking of water through the
slates. This will have affected the battens that hold them. The roof is leaking in many places,
thus the boards will most likely be rotting. The dark staining in the sarking is at its worst at the
junction of the apse and transept roofs and the junction of the nave and transept and along
the ridge. The same is true in the porch roof where the paint is visibly cracked from water
damage, there is vegetation growing through the eaves into the porch and up the roof inter-
nally also. There also appears to be fire damage at the ridge of the Apse roof. Timber fascia
boards are also in poor condition. Timber

Fig4: Staining of Sarking Fig5: Porch Roof staining & Fig6: Fire Damage @ Apse
Vegetation Ingress

NBS – H62: Pitched and hipped slate roof

The roof over the advanced porch to the north elevation is in very poor condition and is cov-
ered in ivy. Many of the slates are missing, loose and badly stained. The slates over the main
part of the roof are weathered and stained with many missing slates replaced with inferior
quality slates. Many of the original nail fixings are missing and have been replaced with metal
tingles. The pointing between ridge tiles is in poor condition. Some of the ridge tiles are miss-
ing.

Fig7: Roof Ridge Fig8: Transept/Nave Valley Fig9: Porch Roof

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Dilapidations Report
Performed Using NBS

NBS – H71: Lead flashing

The lead detail at the transition of the advanced porch to the north elevation and the main wall
is in poor condition and parts of the flashing are missing. The lead valley on the main roof is
fully intact with no obvious signs of water ingress.

Fig10: Porch Roof Fig11: Transept/Nave Valley

NBS – C51: Scissor braced timber roof structure

The roof is supported by a scissor braced rafter structure. This is showing evidence of smoke
staining from a previous fire. However, there is no evidence of structural failure, overloading,
movement, physical damage, slippage or decay. However closer investigation is required as
the interior has no lighting and visibility is poor as many of the windows are blocked up. The
scissor braced rafter structure supports purlins and diagonal boarded out sheeted roof. The
sheeted roof has been painted but the paintwork has badly deteriorated and is flaking. There
is some evidence of water damage to the diagonal boarding.

Fig12: Nave Roof Fig13: Apse Roof Fig14: Transept/Apse Junction

NBS – M20: Internal plastering

The walls internally are painted and plastered. The plastered walls are showing evidence of
fire/ smoke damage. As there was no lighting and visibility was poor it was difficult to assess
the full remedial works. A closer examination is required for rising damp, plaster cracking and
to establish how much has become loose or detached from the walls.

Fig15 & 16: Internal Plasterwork showing smoke/fire damage & cracking

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Dilapidations Report
Performed Using NBS

NBS – Q10: Kerbs & Paving

The entire building is completely surrounded by overgrown ivy and bushes. There is no
solid walkway leading up to the chapel and neither is there one bordering it.

Fig17: Overgrowth Fig18: No walkway/paving @ Fig18: No walkway/paving around

front door building edge

NBS – R10: Rainwater Damage

Aluminium guttering is used on the chapel. The guttering is in poor condition and missing in
areas causing extensive staining on the building stonework. Flora has grown in some areas of
the guttering and in cases has penetrated the eaves and entered the building.

Fig19: Missing Gutter

NBS – V90/91: Electricity

There’s no functioning electricity system in the chapel, although the infrastructure such as
boxes and wiring appears to be in place. It’s condition and viability is unknown.

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Dilapidations Report
Performed Using NBS

NBS – L40: Glazing

Stained glass windows have evidence of staining and biological growth. Some pane sections
are missing. Glazing element displays evidence of staining and biological deterioration. One
glazing pane of window has been completely removed and the window ope has been boarded
up with timber boarding. Window guarding is in poor condition showing signs of rustand bio-
logical deterioration.

Fig20: Degraded Stained glass Fig21: Degraded framing Fig22: Window Removed

NBS – M40: Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles showing evidence of staining. However, there is no evidence of damage or
cracking, however layer of dust and grit may conceal this.

Fig23: Tiling at altar

NBS – M60: Paint

Paintwork has completely deteriorated and has completely peeled. Evidence of fire damage in
the apse. Water ingress and fire have damaged and warped and peeled the paintwork to such
an extent an appraisal of the underlying plasterwork is not possible

Fig24: Paintwork Fig25: Paintwork peeling/gone with fire damage

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6. Conservation Recommendations
Performed Using NBS
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Conservation Recommendations
Performed Using NBS
NBS – C40: Cleaning of Masonry
• Identify the nature of the staining - is it moss/algae/lichen?
• Identify the cause - Leaking of gutters / exposure to elements?
• Once cause and nature is established determine steps to remove. Possible steps are:
• Wire-brushing the affected area
• Power hosing the stonework
• Chemical treatment using acid solutions.
• Preventative measures also required.
• Install tanked trench pebble drain around exterior to minimise splash back of rainwater
and resultant staining.
• Replace/restore all guttering and downpipes to match original.
• Cut back surrounding overgrowth.
NBS – C52: Preservation of Timber
• See NBS—H62 for details of Roof timbers
• All timbers to be checked for dry rot by specialist
• Remove decayed timber fascia and soffit boards
• Replace Timber fascia and soffit with new, treated boards, painted white as original.
• Re-treat interior coving timbers to ensure further longevity.
• In all cases keep and reuse any timbers that are still intact and usable.
• Replace existing, rotten suspended timber floor in building with new, insulated floor.
NBS – H62: Advanced porch roof to the north elevation and main
church roof
• Carefully remove all slates including ridge tiles for cleaning. Store carefully for re-use.
• Remove all wet damaged timber roof diagonal boards and replace with new boards. Treat
all boards with preservatives
• Replace water damaged rafters if any, restore and re-finish existing rafters if usable
• Provide insulation between rafters and below boarding internally and finish with foil
backed plasterboard and plaster skim finish.
• Provide breathable roofing felt
• Provide new treated battens and diagonal sarking boards.
• Re-slate roof with original and provide matching slates where there is a shortfall.
NBS – H71: Lead flashing
• Remove all lead soaker sheets and counter flashing to roof
• Provide all new Code 5 lead soaker sheets, valley gutters and counter flashings
NBS – C51: Scissor braced timber roof structure
• Carefully clean all timbers on the scissor braced roof
• Ensure all connections/ joints are structurally sound
• Apply coating finish to match original varnish.
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NBS – M20: Internal plastering
• Clean all smoke damaged and flaking paint from existing walls
• Replace/patch existing plastering on interior of walls.
• Provide new insulated plasterboard and plaster skim finish to interior of all external
walls
• Provide cold bridging insulation around windows.
• Paint finished walls as original.
NBS – Q10: Kerbs & Paving
• Remove all overgrown ivy, bushes, shrubbery from surrounding area of church
• Condition of existing paving system around church to be assessed.
• Conserve, as much as possible, existing paving system and any antique paving.
• Use stone paving to keep in context with the building and its setting.
• All stone paving should be flush pointed to a sufficient depth to ensure permanence.
• Source stone or material being used from local area.
• Don't use coloured brick paving as it colour and texture are not satisfactory in keep-
ing with the buildings context.
• Paving system to provide adequate access and walkway around church.
• Stone paving to comply with BS EN 1341.
• Stone Kerbs to comply with BS EN 1343
NBS – L40: Glazing
• Stained glass windows with evidence of staining & biological growth need cleaning &
restoration
• Frames require restoration and treatment in case of timber.
• Replacement window needed for missing, boarded up section
• One window is blocked up from outside with concrete blocks, this needs to be re-
moved and any cement damage to stone work repaired.
NBS – V90/91: Electricity
• Church needs to be supplied with electricity as currently is remains without any supply.
• Electrical supply duct to be drawn up and connected to existing electrical supply line in
area.
• Install interconnected mains powered smoke alarms with battery back up to all areas to
give an LD2 system or better to BS 5839.
• All light switches are to be fitted a maximum 1100mm above finished floor level.
• The design and installation of electrics shall fully comply with R.E.C.I standards.
NBS – M40: Ceramic Tiles
• Clean tiles fully with detergent so a more thorough assessment can be carried out
• If any cracked tiles revealed, replace with new, preferably reclaimed tile.
• If any staining from water ingress exists, treat appropriately with chemical cleaning
agents.
• Re-grout all tiles to ensure no loose tiles.
Conservation Recommendations
Performed Using NBS
NBS – M60: Paint
• Painting is to comply with BS 8000.
• Remove all existing paint finishes using appropriate hand tools.
• Apply polybond primer, or similar & approved to all plasterwork before application
• Apply thinned coat of vinyl matt emulsion.
• Finish with 2 coats of vinyl soft sheen emulsion.
• Paint finish is to match specified sample.

NBS – R10: Rainwater drainage

• Gutters shall be taken down and inspected to establish the extent of their deterioration.
• Existing gutters & downpipes which can be salvaged are to have all biological growth
and rust removed.
• All joints are then to be re-sealed.
• Repair and if needed, replace any defective sections of pipework on a like for a like ba-
sis with section that match existing in terms of size and profile.
• Downpipes shall then be re-erected on spacers 75mm clear of the wall, allowing for ven-
tilation and maintenance.
• Gutters shall be re-instated with an appropriate fall.
• Any previous attempted repairs using torch on felt to downpipes is to be removed.
• Cast iron is to be used in the repair and replacement of any defective gutters.
• All pipework shall be re-connected to existing drainage system.

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8. Schedule of Works
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