The Conservation Project

Preserving our Past

The remains of Killoo Church are evidence of medieval Ireland and are a window into a different place in time. Without conservation, we stand to lose this connection with the past – a past that explains so much of the story of Ireland. With this as their focus, a group of local people came together in 2022 and formed a company – with the goal of examining what could be done to conserve and secure the Church and its historical relevance.

One clear truth informed this project: Having been built circa 1100 AD, Killoo Church was deteriorating and in danger of collapse. This prompted a group of local people to form a company, Killoo Church Restoration Project CLG which went on to secure support from Clare County Council and National Monuments, as well as engaging RIAI Accredited Conservation Architect John Deaton and his team of professional specialists.

Killoo Church stone wall in a grassy area, surrounded by a cemetery with tombstones and crosses under a blue sky with scattered white clouds.
Aerial view of Killoo church and scattered graves, surrounded by grass fields and trees, with a white van parked outside.
Ruins of Killoo Church in a grassy cemetery with several gravestones under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds.

THE CONSERVATION PLAN

The Conservation Plan developed by John Deaton, with support from the Community Monuments Fund, provided a framework for the conservation, protection and interpretation of the Killoo Church heritage site. The Plan highlighted key risks as well as a set of conservation policies and implementation recommendations for the sustainable management of the site.

Throughout the project and continuing into the future, the conservation team’s single focus is change nothing.

The first phase of the actual physical work of repair and conservation started in early August 2023, with the appointment of a contractor specialising in conserving ancient buildings. The extensive covering of ivy was treated and eliminated, which allowed for serious conservation work to commence on the church walls, gables, entrance door and the historic Stamer Tomb. At the same time, remedial work was carried out on the church’s boundary walls.

The goal of the conservation project is to ensure interested people of all ages can visit Killoo Church and share its story. To achieve this, it is vital that there is safe and easy access to the site, which is the focus of Phase 2 of the project.

  • Killow East Window and Stamer Tomb May2023

    Before

    Ancient stone altar structure set within partially ruined stone walls, featuring decorative carvings on the back panel, under a partly cloudy sky.

    After

  • Killoo Overview May 2023

    Before

    Killoo Church 2025

    After

  • Killow entrance door and west gable

    Before

    Killoo Church 2025

    After

  • South door and wall before

    Before

    South Door and Wall

    After

  • Killoo east window before

    Before

    Killoo east window after

    After

ENGINEERING ASSESSMENT

Understanding the structural condition of Killoo Church was obviously key and this informed the details of the conservation process. The team saw that vegetation posed the greatest immediate threat, with ivy roots embedded in joints with the potential to destabilise the walls if removed without taking the necessary steps. The south doorway was especially fragile, with a cracked lintel and jambs which had been stolen over time. Temporary propping was essential.

Due to the erosion of lime mortar joints, the east window arch had deteriorated, with missing keystones and wide joints. It was also discovered that the tops of the walls were vulnerable to water ingress.

External boundary walls varied in condition. The southwest wall was largely intact but needed repointing while the northeast wall was collapsing and heavily overgrown.

Later walls on the south side incorporated modern additions and reused carved masonry.

Given this assessment, the Plan recommended lime mortar consolidation, selective rebuilding, soft wall capping and the creation of a bat-sensitive ivy management plan.

CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION POLICIES

Ten key policies guided the conservation action:

  1. Investigative Works
    To survey ivy-covered areas, complete photogrammetry and access wall tops
  2. Essential Repairs
    Wall-top stabilisation, doorway and window repair, and selective masonry patching
  3. Maintenance
    To establish a regular maintenance cycle and management group
  4. Protection of Fabric
    To prevent damage from animals, erosion, and anti-social activity
  5. Ecological Protection
    To ensure protection of existing flora and fauna, particularly bats
  1. Early Site Context
    Seek formal protection of pre-1200 site areas
  2. Accessibility
    To improve access routes
  3. Security
    To fit spring closers to gates and monitor site use
  4. Research and Archive
    To record all works, digitise burial records and maintain an archive
  5. Awareness
    To educate and invite members of the public, including schools and specialist interest groups about the site. This would include the development of signage, QR code interpretation and online and school resources.

THE IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

The implementation of the conservation project has relied on the collaboration and cooperation of many stakeholders, including:

Killoo Church Restoration Project CLG
Landowner Mr Niall McCabe

Clare County Council
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Clare Local Development Company Leader Programme
Community Monuments Fund

Killoo Church aerial view

Actions taken have included:

  • Formal adoption of the Plan
  • Assignment of guardianship
  • Appointment of qualified conservation professionals
  • Statutory approvals and archaeological oversight
  • Preparation of detailed budgets and grant applications
  • Maintenance of digital and paper archives.

The Company

Killoo Church Restoration Company CLG:

CHAIRPERSON: Michael Slattery

SECRETARY: Gerard Lynch

FINANCE: Liam Barry

Members

Liam Ashe, Frank Barry, Niall McCabe, Heber McMahon, Catherine Molloy