The restoration project at Glenstal Abbey in County Limerick, Ireland, exemplifies a commitment to preserving historical architecture through the art of traditional stonemasonry.
Constructed in the 1830s by the Barrington family, Glenstal Abbey was designed in the style of Windsor Castle. In the 1920s, the estate was sold to Benedictine monks following the Barrington family’s move to England, and it officially became an abbey in 1957. Today, Glenstal Abbey serves as a distinguished boarding school for boys, while also attracting thousands of visitors from around the globe who come to admire the architectural beauty and stunning landscape. This remarkable site deserves a spot on the bucket list of every tourist and local alike.
We were entrusted by Collins to oversee all stonemasonry aspects of the restoration. Unfortunately, the abbey had been recently repointed with cement, which caused damage to the stonework. Therefore, the first step in our restoration process, following a thorough steam cleaning of the building, was to carefully rake out the unsuitable repointing and replace it with traditional lime mortar.
Our scope of work also included replacing numerous damaged stones in the castle, and we paid meticulous attention to matching the original stone to maintain the historic integrity of the building. Among the most striking features of the restoration were the intricate carved details around the structure; our talented carving team dedicated themselves to restoring these exquisite sculptures with the utmost care.
The restoration project at Glenstal Abbey not only highlights the intricate beauty and historical significance of this remarkable structure but also underscores a larger commitment to preserving Ireland’s architectural heritage for future generations. Through a blend of expert craftsmanship and a dedication to traditional stonemasonry techniques, we have undertaken the crucial task of restoring the abbey to its former glory while rectifying past missteps that threatened its integrity.
A historically significant building like Glenstal Abbey deserves the dedication and care our team employed to restore this remarkable castle to its former glory, read more about our process here.
