Restoration of St. Mary's Cathedral, Killarney

MAIN CONTRACTORS : J. Rainey & Co. Limited
CLEANING CONTRACTOR: Conservation Solutions

This page documents the cleaning and restoration work performed on St. Mary's Cathedral in Killarney.

St. Mary's Cathedral Killarney Cathedral is set in spacious grounds on a level site reminiscent of the plain of Salisbury Cathedral. Pugin used grey, red and brown sandstone with dressings of limestone. This creamy exterior contrasts with the grey of the slate roof, spire and pinnacles and gives the cathedral a softer appearance than it might otherwise have had. The plan is cruciform, with an aisled nave of six bays, clerestory, transepts and an aisled chancel of four bays. The former baptistery, off the north nave aisle, has a double font, mosaic work and a coffered vault with stencil design. The former Mortuary Chapel, off the south nave aisle, lacks the original floor. The gallery at the west end of the nave contains an organ by Telford & Son, erected in 1869. In the early 1970’s it was rebuilt and divided, to reveal the lower part of the west window. Fungacide Cleaning A fungacide wash was used initially on the Cathedral in order to kill fungus, algae etc. The product used was environmentally safe to use.

The Rotec System The whole cathedral was cleaned using the Rotec System, which is a low pressure cleaning system, used to clean all types of stone and brick. Its Jet Whirl motion ensures that no damage is done to the stone and the original patina remains intact. A low pressure level and a media of glass powder means that this System is easily controlled, environmentally friendly and no chemicals are used, ensuring that the stone is not saturated with water.

Conservation Solutions Specialising in brick cleaning, stone restoration and graffiti removal http://www.conservationsolutions.ie email: info@conservationsolutions.ie

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