As the great weather continues, anyone with an interest in restoration will be itching to get stuck into pet projects. The timing couldn’t be better then for the Period Buildings Show, taking place this weekend at Rathfarnham Castle. The event provides traditional building skills demonstrations and conservation talks. There will be free face painting to keep little ones entertained while adults can watch bodger Eoin Donnelly (087-1262490) lathe balustrades; talk gilding and historic paint effects with Ruth Rothwell (decowellrestoration.com) or be mesmerised by restorer Fergal Daly’s (dalyantiqueservices.com) furniture transformations.
Get a bird’s eye view of reed thatching under the tutelage of Kyran O’Grady (reed-thatching.com) and, fresh from consulting the Irish Georgian Society on the windows of its new premises on South William Street, hear Pat Lynch (087-2449881) discuss sash window repairs.
There will be expert advice on: stained glass and fanlight conservation; stone carving; dry stonewall construction; the use of lime-based mortars; slate roofing, traditional joinery, ironwork, decorative plasterwork and traditional wallpaper making.
Afterwards, take tea in the tea rooms or grab a gourmet coffee and crêpe on the hoof and explore one of Dublin’s historic houses. Children will be entertained by the historic Berkeley toys and costume collection (part of the castle tour) or let them run off some steam in the castle playground.
Rathfarnham village has come on board to create a real sense of a day out. Admission is free. The two-day event runs from 10am - 5pm on July 14th and 15th.
See igs.ie for details.
