Restoration of Main Entrance Doors at the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre
In recent months, the main entrances to the front and side of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Cavan have been restored to their former glory with the assistance of a significant and greatly-appreciated grant from the Heritage Council under the 2023 Community Heritage Grant Scheme.
The doors in question are the original ones dating back to the construction of the building in the early 1870’s. Successive generations of students passed through these doors when the building served as St. Patrick’s College until the new school building was opened in September 2012.
With the passage of time, the doors suffered weather-related damage and were in need of significant refurbishment.
MFM Joinery in Ballyhaise were the contractors for the work and Philip Brady Architects in Cavan were the supervising conservation consultants for the project.
The works included
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the removal of the doors off-site to the contractors’ workshop
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multiple layers of paint removed to reveal the original timber surfaces
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cracks in the panels and open joints between panels and stiles filled
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full decoration of the doors to paint specification with controlled factory finish
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the return of the doors to their original location when works were completed
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relevant treatment of the door frames
The end result of the restoration project has been the source of very favourable comment by users and visitors to the building which now serves as the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre.
Bishop Martin Hayes, Patron of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre, the Centre’s Management Committee and the St. Patrick’s Trust are deeply appreciative of the grant-aid received from the Heritage Council and thank the contractors and the supervising conservation consultants for their work in bringing the project to a timely and aesthetically-pleasing conclusion in advance of the sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary in March 2024 of the opening of the building.
Picture of Main Entrance (2015)
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Pictures of Main Entrance (February 2023)
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Work in Progress (July to September 2023)
Restored Front Entrance (September 2023)
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Side Entrance (February 2023)
