Ireland may not have a restoration project quite as large or as globally symbolic as Notre-Dame Cathedral, but the level and types of skills required to undertake this mammoth task is just one of topics that will be discussed at an upcoming symposium focused on Ireland’s built heritage.
The symposium, which is being hosted in the heart of the Burren by Irish Natural Stone (INStone), will see conservation and heritage experts from academia, government, local authorities, the private sector, and the public gather in Boston, County Clare on 14th and 15th May to discuss topics as diverse as the cultural significance of Irish high crosses, preserving our vernacular heritage, the archaeology of the Burren’s dry stone walls and building capacity in traditional skills.
This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Shelley McNamara, internationally renowned architect and co-founder of Grafton Architects. A Pritzker Prize laureate, Shelley McNamara brings a profound perspective on the relationship between architecture, materiality, and place – making her a fitting voice for this year’s 2025 national INStone Symposium.
Attendees will also be treated to an in-depth review of stone restoration within the Notre-Dame Cathedral Restoration, by a member of the Compagnon du Devoir. This presentation, which will be delivered in French with an English translation, will be of particular interest to an Irish audience, given that St. Mel’s Cathedral in Longford also required such restoration. This project was undertaken by INStone, who were also responsible for delivering key elements of the Irish Hunger Memorial in New York City, St. John’s Cathedral in Limerick, the O’Connell Monument in Ennis, the Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation in Phoenix (USA), Hope House in Bath (UK) and the Four Courts in Dublin, currently underway.
Explaining the rationale for hosting a symposium of this nature, Frank McCormack, founder and director of Irish Natural Stone, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and an active promoter of cultural heritage preservation, said: “The feedback from our inaugural symposium, held in September 2023, was very positive and pointed to the need to keep the focus on conservation at all levels.
“The purpose of this follow-up symposium is to continue the vital conversation on Ireland’s built heritage. As the challenges facing our historic structures grow – from climate pressures to the erosion of traditional skills – it is more important than ever to bring together experts, practitioners, and policymakers. This symposium offers a crucial platform to share knowledge, promote best practice, showcase innovation in conservation techniques, and foster the next generation of skilled craftspeople. It will also reinforce the urgent need to protect, restore, and celebrate the stonework that defines Ireland’s cultural landscape.
“This year, each day will comprise six separate talks and presentations, given by heritage experts from Ireland, the UK and France, all with varied backgrounds. They will showcase and give live demonstrations of best-practice conservation methods and traditional techniques,” said Mr McCormack.
The symposium will also include an exclusive exhibition entitled ‘Art in Stone’, an evening of exploration of the beauty of natural stone art and sculpture. This exhibition, which commences at 7pm on Wednesday, 14th May, takes place at INStone’s exhibition gallery in Boston, Co. Clare.
Topics being discussed over the two days include:
‘Stone – Embedded Time’ by Shelley McNamara, co-founding director of Grafton Architects.
Appareilleur with INStone. From Tradition to Triumph: A Compagnon at Notre-Dame (delivered in French with English interpreter) by Étienne Meunier, a Compagnon currently in placement with INStone
‘The testament of stone, understating the cultural significance of the Irish high crosses, past, present, and future’ by Dr. Ana Dolan, former senior architect, National Monuments’.
Preserving our Irish Vernacular Building Materials – Both Hard and Soft’ by Dr. Barry O’Reilly, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
‘A look back at the restoration of St. Mel’s Cathedral’ by Kevin Clancy, PUNCH Consulting Engineers.
‘Limerick Civic Trust and the revival of St. Munchin’s Church’ by William O’Neill, curator of museums, Limerick Civic Trust.
‘Sharing and Sustaining Ireland’s Built Heritage’ by Niamh Lunney, CEO, Irish Landmark Trust.
‘Stones of Memory: The Archaeology of Burren’s Dry Stone Wall’ by Michael and Elaine Lynch, archaeologists from The Burren.
‘Bulk Air Lime Mixing: Scaling up Tradition with Precision’ by Eoin Madigan, master craftsman in stonemasonry.
‘The CHARTER Alliance: The Resulting Roadmap and the Priorities for Ireland’ by Dr. Nessa Roche, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
‘Skills for the Future: Building Capacity in Traditional Skills and the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme’ by Triona Byrne, architecture officer with the Heritage Council.
“This is a unique opportunity for anyone interested in Ireland’s cultural heritage to hear first-hand from experts in the fields of conservation on the work being done and the plans afoot to preserve our built heritage,” added Mr Mc Cormack.
For further information on the National INStone Symposium on Wednesday and Thursday, 14th and 15th May 2025, visit www.irishnaturalstone.com