EDUCATION
2019 – 2021 MA (Distinction) in Conservation of Cultural Heritage
University of Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Thesis : 'Traditional Irish Farmhouses : An Investigation of Stakeholders Perceptions'
2004 – 2009 BA (Hons) Fine Art Sculpture
National College of Art and Design, Dublin
INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATIONS
2024 - (present)
2017 - 2023
2020 - (present)
2021 - (present)
ICRI : Institute for Conservators and Restorers Ireland
Treasurer
SPAB Ireland : Irish branch of the Society for Protection of Ancient Buildings
Committee Member
IIC : International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works
Associate Member
SKR : Schweizerischer Verband für Konservierung und Restaurierung
Mitglied in Ausbildung
SELECTED CONSERVATION WORK
Jan - Feb 2024
Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia
Plowden & Smith Ltd.
Project Conservator
Archaeological and ethnographic objects in various mediums.
Intense short-term project, condition checking approx. 3000 objects as part of a team of four conservators, a registrar, an art handling team and local Saudi administrative staff.
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Work included working independently and as part of multi-lingual team to deliver objectives within a tight timeframe.
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Fast-paced efficient and careful conservation condition reporting and checking of diverse objects as part of assembly line team.
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Digital and physical database management and organisation.
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Adapting and streamlining filing systems to improve efficiency of team.
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Compilation of a collection conservation report for the client highlighting areas of concern, urgent actions needed and preventative conservation measures to be considered.
June - Aug 2024
Jan - Feb 2023
Jan - April 2022
Seestrasse 78
8703 Erlenbach (ZH)
Switzerland
Eysler GmbH
Project Conservator
17th – 20thC sculptural works in metal, glass, plastic, ceramic and wood.
Documentation, conservative restoration and mounting of contemporary and historic sculptural works for redisplay.
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Work includes object research and investigation.
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Cleaning, repair, gap filling and retouching of sculptural works in wood, glass, metal, plastic and ceramic.
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Mould taking and casting of missing features.
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Mechanical repair of metal sculptural works.
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Development of conservation mounting systems for sculptural works including lightweight internal magnetic mounting system
2017 – (present)
Ashbourne,
Co. Meath
Róisín Beirne Conservation
Object Conservator
Ethnographic and industrial elements in metal, glass, brick and lime.
Documentation and conservative restoration of historic elements for return to functional use. Working in studio and on-site where needed.
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Work includes building research and investigation.
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Packaging and transport of unstable objects from and to site.
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Paint sampling, documentation and identification before mechanical or chemical removal where necessary.
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Silicone moulding and casting lost decorative leadwork.
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Stabilisation, corrosion removal, repair and appropriate gap filling of lead and wrought iron.
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Patination or retouching of finished surface to client’s specifications.
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Detailed conservation report to suit clients needs; grant requirements, sale of works etc.
Mar 2020
Lincoln
Lincolnshire
UK
The Lincoln Charter Project, Lincoln Guildhall / University of Lincoln
University project
15thC manuscript, metallic and fibre cord and wax seal
Non-destructive analysis of metallic and fibre threads and their corrosion products to reveal details about the object’s composition, condition, history of use and significance for dissemination to both a conservation and public audience.
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Work included XRF analysis, microscopy, X-radiographs and comparative fibre analysis.
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Production of RTI images and digital 3D models using photogrammetry for research and public audiences.
Sept 2018 – Apr 2019
Lambstongue Ltd.
Historic Leinster House
Kildare St
Dublin
Ireland
April - May 2018
Lambstongue Ltd.
Glasgow School of Art
Glasgow,
Scotland
Lambstongue. Ltd
Assistant Project Manager and Site Supervisor
Early 20thC and new-build steel windows and ironmongery
18th - 20thC timber sash windows, internal shutters and ironmongery
Co-ordinating high-quality repair and restoration of 90+ windows, their shutters and associated ironmongery with 15 workers, in addition to carrying out conservation work.
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Work included condition surveying and quality control of historic window repairs.
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Management of day-to-day activities and resources for 15 workers on site and in the workshop.
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Executive and status reporting, risk assessment and administration management between Lambstongue and main contractor.
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Cataloguing, storage and transport management of 90+ windows, associated shutters and ironmongery.
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Conservative refurbishment of historic steel windows and brass ironmongery / conservative repairs to timber shutters and all associated ironmongery.
Sept 2017 – May 2019
Lambstongue Ltd.
Chapelizod,
Dublin
Ireland
Lambstongue. Ltd
Object Conservator
18th - 20thC metal ironmongery
Early 20thC architectural bronze patination and finishing
A multifaceted position which required adaptability and resourcefulness, continuously developing solutions and implementing new practices to deal with the evolving needs of clients and the company as it grew. Working independently and part of a larger team to produce a high standard of work under tight deadlines.
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Work included conservation and repair of ironmongery and architectural bronze patina using hand and power tools and a variety of cold patination systems.
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Research, development and implementation of multi-stage cold patination systems for treatment of both small and large scale historic and newbuild architectural bronze.
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Development of patination handling procedures for staff at different stages of patination process, for transportation and on-site installation.
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Quality control and co-ordination of a team of 5 other workers.
2013 – 2018
Private commissions
Templebar Gallery
8 Templebar Sq
Dublin1
Bellhouse Scenic Studios
Wax Museum+
Westmoreland St
Dublin1
Contemporary artworks and installations in mixed media
Construction and assembly of large and small-scale artworks and installations for exhibition display. The position required good communication and a versatile approach to adequately construct the artists desired outcome under tight deadlines with limited budgets.
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Work involved constructions in timber, brick, wire, clay, plastic, foam, paper and other mixed media.
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De-install and packaging of works for transport.
VOLUNTARY WORK
2017 - present
SPAB Ireland,
Dublin
Ireland
Committee Member, Project Management, Workshop Demonstration
Educational and advocacy work centred on the protection and promotion of Irish built heritage.
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Work included event and project management,
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hosting and teaching lectures and workshops on traditional building skills for professionals and general public,
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Production and hosting of a podcast over 3 years, yearly online lecture series and educational maintenance videos for the public.
Feb - Mar 2020
D.H Lawrence Museum,
Nottinghamshire,
UK
Collection Condition Survey
Condition survey of mixed-media collection housed in the 19th century childhood home of the author.
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Work included review of the internal environment and mixed media collection for use in the museums upcoming Museum Accreditation renewal.
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Condition survey of the 19th and 20th century timber sash windows of the museum building.
Nov 2019
Church of St Michael and all Angels,
Wartnaby
Leicestershire
UK
Building and Collection Survey
Internal and external survey of environmental conditions of a 13th century ironstone church with original painted motifs in the south aisle.
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Work included surveying of building and collection condition.
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Production of report for use during the upcoming Quinquennial Inspection.
AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS
2023
2022
2021
2021
2019
2019
Paper presentation ' '
ICRI Heritage Week Event
Presenter of educational videos - 'Maintainging your Treasured Place of Worship' Part I-IV
National Churches Trust Norther Ireland
Paper presentation - 'Wood consolidation without colour change : Conservation of the Stickford Church Bell Clapper'
ICRI Conference : Celebrating 30 years of Conservation in Ireland - Challenges in Conservation: Past, Present and Future, October 2021
Paper presentation - 'Wood consolidation without colour change : Conservation of the Stickford Church Bell Clapper'
ConNext : Conservation by the Next Generation Conference, May 2021
ICRI Education Bursary
Dublin, Ireland
Lamport Hall Lady Robinson Bursary
Lincoln, UK