The Royal Hospital Kilmainham, completed in 1684, was originally designed as a residence for retired soldiers, modelled after Paris's Hôtel Les Invalides. At present, three of its ranges are managed by the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), while the North Range hosts prestigious State events and other IMMA functions.
Extensive renovations have been carried out on the North Range, including upgrades to fire and life safety features such as compartmentation, fire door enhancements, alarm installations and the installation of a sprinkler system in the chapel to safeguard its ornate ceiling.
Mechanical and electrical systems have been upgraded, replacing aging heating, ventilation and electrical systems. Additional improvements include background enhancements to existing ducts and service risers throughout the North Range. The project also involved enhancements to the building fabric, including the conservation and restoration of features such as the baroque chapel ceiling, historic timber panelling and stained glass windows.
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Minister for the OPW, Kieran O'Donnell TD, said today
"I am delighted to be here today to officially re-open this wonderful suite of rooms here in the North Range of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. I would like to highlight the wonderful work carried out by my OPW colleagues and the team of Contractors and Consultants who have worked on the programme of repairs and upgrades, which will preserve and safeguard this building and its exquisite interiors going into the future.
"The conservation and preservation of these wonderful buildings is crucial to retaining our nation’s heritage and history and plays an important role in cultivating pride in our past."
The collection of twenty-two portraits is currently being conserved. Once the conservation work is finished, the portraits will be reinstalled in their original location in the Great Hall. Tours of the Great Hall and Chapel, conducted by OPW visitor staff, will once again include the opportunity to view these portraits starting from July 15th.
The project involved a comprehensive OPW design team comprising Conservation Architects, the Intermediate Project Delivery Unit, OPW Fire & Safety Department and OPW M&E Department. External consultants such as 7L Architects, Cundall M&E Consultants, FLN Fire Consultants, GKCE Consulting Engineers, and Leonard & Williams QS Services, as well as contractors including Merrion Contracting, Quinn Downes Mechanical, Redmond Electrical and Jones Engineering, were also integral to the project's execution.
