Dublin Bay Rose

First Bloom of the Dublin Bay Rose (gift from my parents)
climbing up the Old Bedstead trellis

The Irish Farmstead is almost complete - with crushed sandstone gravel in the Courtyard

A raised, formal central garden to be implemented at a later date - a perfect sheltered setting with South Light

Once washed down by the rain, the gravel will reveal its true colours ..... to match the stonework

Gravel sourced from nearby Kiltorcan Quarries 

Existing Stonework

The Main Stone Wall with Pedestrian Entrance

The main stone wall with the  pedestrian access is growing fast out of the ground.

Soon to be capped to match the walls of the farmstead.

 The pedestrian columns will be covered with a mosaic of slate - recycled from the roof of the old farmstead - and black glazed tiles....

View from the South and the site of the proposed new build.

Courtyard boundary walls are complete

Panoramic view from driveway

Ready for the black sheeted gates...

 Detail of beautiful stonework

Eddie and Shane starting the boundary wall

The Farmstead in the morning light...

Evolution of the Farmstead

Windows and doors are in - a weather tight building...

The Farmstead

View into the Courtyyard

Farmstead Slated and weather tight

View from the site where the proposed, new passive house will be built.

The First Stone Outbuilding gets its Slate Topping.......

Roofing done by Brian Healy Carpentry Ltd, Co Kilkenny

Counter battens and battens

First line of slates

Large 500x500mm slate laid on ridge end, every alternate course

Cupa 98 Premier - Spanish Slate (no Irish slate available)

Cupa 98 Premier Slate

The Farmstead

Contractor : PJ O'Shea of Smartbuild Conservation Ltd

First sills are in and the scaffolding is now up.

 Almost ready for the stone window heads and gable ends this week.

Window and Door detail

Beautiful New Dry Stone Wall Detail

Roof going up on Building B - the old Goats' Shed

Detail showing the wall plate, the wall plate straps and the tipped-up cement block which provides the anchor for the wall plates, battens and counter battens to take the slate.

The Stone Outbuildings - Building C - Proposed Garden Shed and Storage

While the old farmstead has been patiently waiting for its stone outfit, the solid stone outbuildings are reappearing, course by course in beautiful Irish sandstone and granite....

Up to flagstone level

View from inside the courtyard

View from the neighbour's property

Up to the flagstone level

Work started from the outside boundary wall

Preparation for the foundations

Hidden in the vegetation - Building C - Proposed Garden Shed

Site Plan

A  - Old Farmstead

B - Proposed Pump House and Storage

C - Proposed Garden Shed

Eeek - look what's left!!

Despite trying very hard to save the whole building - three walls had to come down. The breaking down of the cracked and bulging chimney breast gable wall revealed a wall composed of dry clay and rubble sandwiched between poor outer stonework. The make up of the other walls was similar and these walls had been severely cracked and distorted by a resident ash tree. The external stonework of the old farmstead was inferior to that of the outbuildings as it was originally plastered.

 So considering all these aspects, the decision was taken to demolish the three walls and retain the good wall to the road.

The new construction will be composed of inner blockwork, insulated cavity and exterior stonework re-using the existing stone in a style to match the outbuildings.

The remaining wall does not need under pinning as originally expected.

New foundation to be poured on Monday. Watch this space!

Flagstones from the eaves and from the floor retained for re-use in the farmstead

Examples of new stonework (top few courses) matching the old