Restoration of ‘forgotten treasure’ wins award
Dating back more than 400 years, the Main Guard in Clonmel was recently refurbished by the Office of Public Works (OPW) using architect Margaret Quinlan’s blueprint.
The Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland this week awarded a silver medal for restoration and conservation to Ms Quinlan for her “dedication and perseverance” with the Main Guard project.
The landmark building in the centre of Clonmel was built in 1675 by James Butler, the first Duke of Ormond, and was formerly used as a courthouse and a commercial area, and was declared a national monument in 1994, before the OPW began renovation.
“After 10 years it was finally re-opened to the public, with the open arches a feature of the streetscape of Clonmel,” Royal Institute president Paul Keogh said when presenting the award to Ms Quinlan.
“The Main Guard is possibly the oldest surviving classical public building in Ireland and was, like many other national architectural treasures, neglected and forgotten and had little chance of surviving in its original, purposeful and beautiful form.
Mr Keogh continued: “Ms Quinlan’s dedication and perseverance in restoring and conserving this building is as much a testament to her passion as to her considered and sensitive response to how an historic building can be restored and revitalised for the benefit of the wider community as a whole.”
Ms Quinlan grew up in Clonmel and said she could remember the “slow deterioration” of the building.
It is now used as a visitor centre, meeting place and exhibition venue.
