Conservation works well under way at Four Courts

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is carrying out conservation works on the Portland Stone capitals that ring the drum of the Four Courts and support the dome above.

The stone capitals are said to be in poor condition having been damaged by past events, including the major fire at the Four Courts during the civil war in 1922.

Each capital is being carefully removed from its position under the dome for a detailed structural examination. Those which cannot be repaired are being replaced with new hard-carved capitals.

The new capitals are being carved — using contemporary techniques — by a team of stonemasons at Irish Natural Stone Ltd in Co Clare, with over 1,000 hours of work required per capital.

Kieran O’Donnell, the minister of state with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, visited the Four Courts this week to view the ongoing works.

He said: “It is fantastic to see such intricate work on the stone capitals, being repaired or entirely replaced with new hand carved capitals. Well done to all involved.”