Essential conservation works to Stella’s Tower and St Catherine’s Church ruins in Portrane

Fingal County Council has announced the appointment of James Oliver Hearty and Sons to carry out conservation works at Stella’s Tower and St Catherine’s Church Ruins, Portrane.

These essential repair works are being fully funded by the Council under an annual programme of work related to the restoration of historical buildings.

The works are intended to stabilise, repair, and protect the structures and will mainly involve masonry repair and consolidation.

St Catherines Church

The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. David Healy said:

“The conservation works on Stella’s Tower and St Catherine’s Church Ruins is great news.

“Fingal County Council is constantly working on maintaining the heritage and history of the county and these needed works will help to achieve that objective.”

Christine Baker, Heritage Officer for Fingal County Council said:

“The preservation of the history and archaeological of our county is an important objective for Fingal County Council.

“The necessary works on these medieval sites will stabilise them and protect them for future generations to enjoy and learn from.”

Helena Bergin, Conservation Officer for Fingal County Council said:

“It is important that our historic monuments that are ruins in the landscape are consolidated and conserved.

“The works to be undertaken in Portrane will achieve this and are greatly welcomed.”

Works are programmed to commence in early November and will continue until February 2021.

The works will proceed during normal working hours to minimise disruption to the public. Members of the public should refrain from visiting the sites during the works.

Stella’s Tower is the locally known name for the tower as Jonathan Swift’s ill-fated ‘Stella’ lived there for a short time.

Both structures are recorded archaeological monuments and protected structures in the ownership of the Council.