THE IRISH Georgian Society, flush with the success of its first architectural conservation awards last year, is inviting architects who’ve worked on historic buildings to submit their projects for scrutiny again this year. And it’s not just crumbling castles or stately homes.

As the society is at pains to point out, conservation applies to “all buildings both great and small” and also includes their settings. Thus, for example, the restoration of a walled garden would qualify. The term “conservation” is interpreted to include the preservation, restoration, adaptation and maintenance of buildings and sites – even better when it involves the use of traditional skills such as making lime mortar or restoring decayed or damage plasterwork.

There are two award categories, one for a conservation project and one for a non-CAD (computer-aided design) drawing of a historic building. The deadline for submissions is 12 noon on Monday July 8th, and the awards will be announced in the autumn.

The six-person jury includes Desmond FitzGerald, Knight of Glin and president of the Irish Georgian SocietyMarion Cashman, board member of the Irish Georgian Foundation, and Frank McDonald, Environment Editor, of The Irish Times.