Paperworks, Studio for Paper Conservation

29/04/2026

It has been all go conserving treasured pieces for the upcoming 50th anniversary exhibition in Irish Architectural Archive . I am hinging this giant piece to acid-free museum backing board in preparation for framing in a custom-made museum quality frame. Thanks to 360dpi Bespoke Photo Printing & Framing for the space to prepare and the framing.
'Greater Dublin. General Plan for the Development of the City' 1914, was the only US entry to the Civics Institute of Ireland’s international competition ‘to elicit designs and reports of a tentative nature on a plan for 'Greater Dublin'

Keep an eye out for Nationwide tv show, Wednesday May 6th on RTÉ One, celebrating the Architectural Archive's anniversary and featuring some .

27/02/2026

During conservation treatment, it is always satisfying to see soluble dirt washing out of paper. The pages seen here are from a rare volume of 'O' Farrell's Collection of National Irish Music for the Union Pipes', now known as uileann pipes. The instruction book (1804) belonged to late 19th century piper, Tarlach Mac Suibhne and has been donated, with Mac Suibhne's pipes to Na Piobairi Uilleann, who have ensured their preservation.

04/02/2026

Thanks to Tailte Éireann for inviting me to conduct two "Caring for Collections" training sessions for their lovely staff members. It was a pleasure to speak to such interested and engaged attendees.

29/11/2025

13/10/2025

What a joy it was to work on these four mammoth "Sibyls" drawings during the de-install of Alice Maher's beautiful show in kevin kavanagh Gallery, Dublin. They required some additional support on the reverse using museum board and Japanese paper hinges. Thanks to Alice Maher for allowing me to work on her precious works of art ❤️

26/06/2025

Filling areas of loss on the Large Howth Demesne Plan with Japanese paper and wheat starch paste.
Irish Architectural Archive Conservation Ireland

05/06/2025

Conservation of a large Plan of Howth Demesne (Co. Dublin) for Irish Architectural Archive . It was very satisfying to revive this original plan on paper (170cm x 105cm).
1. Before treatment
2. Unrolling the plan, which had torn into several sections.
3. Removing the surface dirt from this lower section with smoke sponge and eraser.
4. This section dated the plan to early 18th century. The "proposed enlargement" to Howth Castle, illustrated here, was built in the 1730's and 1740's. This Plan predates that addition to the castle.
5. After cleaning, the Plan was pieced back together to establish where repairs and infills needed to go.
6. Conservation complete. The Plan was cleaned, repaired and infilled with Japanese Paper adhered with wheat starch paste and prepared for framing.
7. Ready for its return to the Irish Architectural Archive in a museum quality frame and ultra-violet filtered acrylic glazing courtesy of 360dpi Bespoke Photo Printing & Framing

Conservation Ireland

24/04/2025

Conservation of a card and paper maquette of Christchurch Cathedral made in the late 19th century.

1. Before conservation. The maquette has heavy surface dirt fragile and came with a bag of detached sections 😮
2. Removing surface dirt with damp cotton swabs.
3. Re-adhering loose sections with wheat starch paste and Japanese paper.
4. Surface cleaning the interior of the maquette with damp cotton swabs.
5. Surface  cleaning and repairing.
6. Conservation in progress. Japanese paper repairs visible before retouching.
7. Repairs in progress.
8. After Conservation. Clean, consolidated and ready for display 😊
9. Placing it back in the display case in Christchurch Cathedral. Clear inert mylar placed under each section to buffer the maquette from the wood plinth and nice low levels of light too.

15/11/2024

A busy morning filming work on an early 18th century plan for the Irish Architectural Archive with RTÉ 's Nationwide. Stay tuned for more when is complete 📽

18/10/2024

Great Irish Interiors on RTÉ is a show I love, so I was delighted to contribute to episode 6 of season 3 featuring the restoration of Malahide Castle and Gardens. It is fantastic to watch all the work, curator Cathal Dowd Smith has done to ethically conserve this important Irish castle.
my small contribution is around 17 minutes in, but it's worth watching the episode in full.

The restoration of Malahide Castle will take centre stage on episode 6.