Dorothy-Ellen and myself headed out at 9am on our journey to Valentia. It was a lovely day and we enjoyed the scenery and sunshine as we drove down the road.  (As we passed by Moneygall, we couldn’t fail to notice the many Irish and American flags hung along the main street of this village as they prepared for the visit on Monday of Barack Obama!)

However, as luck would have it, on Saturday, the day of the triathlon, the wind was blowing at gale force and the rain was pouring down.  Warren hadn’t done a triathlon before and we were all getting anxious for him.  But he was not to be put off.   With all the other many triathletes he launched himself into the water to begin the 750m swim, which was then followed by a 20km cycle and finished with 5km run.   Warren finished in a good time and in remarkably good condition.   We were overjoyed – and so so proud of Warren.   This spirit of engagement with the cause of Irish Landmark, demonstrated by Karen and Warren, is one we want to foster and develop further.

The pictures show Mary and Dorothy-Ellen at the table in the Royal Hotel

The pictures below show Warren coming out of the sea after his swim, and Warren completing the run – the final part of the triathlon.  This third image is so hazy because it was raining so hard at that time.

Warren (orange cap) comes out of the sea after his 750m swim

Eddie drawing the winning tickets

The prizes and prizewinners are:

• 1st Prize – voucher worth €1,500:  Kathy Prendergast, London
• 2nd Prize – voucher worth €800:  Karen Burke & Noreen O’Connell, Co.Limerick
• 3rd Prize – voucher worth €500:  Rosemary Craig, Co.Wicklow

Thanks to all who sold or bought tickets.  We raised just over €9,000:  a little short of our target of €10,000, but enough to ensure that the necessary work at Salterbridge will take place over this summer.

The winning tickets!

The lighthouse is unlike other lighthouses that have been restored by the Irish Landmark Trust. This lighthouse is not high on a cliff surveying the sea below. It is only 16 metres above high water on a wave washed rock. This proximity to the sea adds to the sense of adventure and excitement that surrounds the lighthouse. Beside the compound which encloses the cottage and the light tower, is a tiny, sandy beach, perfect for a little boat and embedded in the rocks are mooring rings to tie it up.

Cromwell Point is wonderfully isolated and surrounded by small uninhabited islands. Wheeling seabirds add their lonesome calls to the isolated splendour of the Point.  It is the splendour of it’s setting that makes this an unforgettable place.  Where better to escape from it all and enjoy the rugged coastline of Co. Kerry?

There is no doubt that this property would be a fantastic landmark for Valentia, the question is can we save it? The Irish Landmark Trust is dedicated to restoring Cromwell Point Lightkeeper’s House and perhaps you can help us ensure that the romance of Cromwell Point lives on and is given a new lease of life.

The Irish Landmark Trust is entering the Valentia Island Triathlon on 21 May to raise funds and awareness of our current appeal. We are also actively looking for corporate sponsors and private donations towards this unique and exciting project.  If you have an idea, would like to help or would like some further information on this appeal, please email dorothyellen@irishlandmark.com

waves crashing at Cromwell Point Lighthouse - a wild and remote spot

The Irish Landmark Trust has successfully rescued and restored Galley Head Lightkeepers ‘Houses in Co. Cork, Loop Head Lightkeeper’s House in Co. Clare and Blackhead Lightkeepers’ Houses in Co. Antrim. These properties are available to let for holidays. For further information email bookings@irishlandmark.com Reference this blog for a 5% discount.

Year 2011 will bring many challenges.   A major concern at this time is funding, both for administration and for planned conservation/restoration projects.     The Heritage Council has already indicated that its own budget has been severely cut in the Irish Government’s budget for 2011.   As Irish Landmark core funding is filtered through Heritage Council this will unquestionably impact on the annual administrative grant.   The wider cuts in built heritage funding in the Dept of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will directly affect any future conservation grants – directly from the Department itself or from the local county councils.   More and more Irish Landmark Trust must look to its supporters to help the organisation through these difficult times.    A fundraising intern will join the organisation this month.   The main task to be undertaken by this person will be to approach the many guests who have stayed at Irish Landmark properties since it first welcomed guests (to Wicklow Lighthouse) in 1997, with a request to consider a monthly donation to the Trust.

The mood in this organisation is one of determination – determination to meet all the challenges head on, to be open to all possibilities, and to ensure Irish Landmark Trust survives, so that many more heritage properties may be given new life and a viable and sustainable future.

Let’s hold our heads up high and meet the new year in a positive frame of mind!!

In the graveyard/garden at St.Werburgh's

Archdeacon David Pierpoint.   The church architect, David Young of Hamilton Young Architects told us a little about the church and its architecture.  This was followed by a tour of the building led by Frank Keohane of Paul Arnold Architects, the firm overseeing the current phase of remedial works.  During this tour, which included a visit to the garden/graveyard,  Frank pointed out the important and interesting features of the building.

The next phase took place in the Coach House at Dublin Castle.   This phase was broken down into three sessions – the history and context of St.Werburgh’s; problems faced by it – and many other churches; and finally the future of the church and options for additional uses to secure its future.

The keynote address of the seminar was given by Eric Parry of Eric Parry Architects in London – who was involved in the regeneration project at St.Martin-in-the-Fields Church.

In the graveyard/garden at St.Werburgh's

The following are an example of comments received from participants:

“Thanks again for everything last week for the seminar on St Werburgh’s.  It was quite a remarkable day and so much interest.”

“Thank you for such an interesting and stimulating Seminar at St Werburgh’s and Dublin Castle on Tuesday.  I thought it was absolutely excellent, please pass on my thanks to your colleagues for all their input.”

“Thanks so much for the Seminar, It was just great!”

In St.Werburgh's church

in St.Werburgh's Church

This promises to be a very interesting day.   The seminar is targeted particularly at conservation architects, those working on church renewal projects and public and civil servants who have a role in decision making about church projects or funding of projects. But an interesting feature of the publicity around the seminar is that some people who have had an historical association with the church have expressed an interest in coming along to hear the talks.  For instance, a couple who were married in the church 50 years ago are planning to attend.  This will add a very present human context to the story of the church and its importance to all those who continue to see it as they place where they come together to worship and share their faith.

Below are some photos of Magherintemple.  The first shows the exterior….but this is so deceptive.  It makes the lodge look good; almost as though little work is needed to bring it back to life.  But have a look at the next two photos – interior shots; the final picture is taken in the back yard.   How sad it all looks .!

This is the exterior of the lodge - photo taken in 2008

An interior shot in Magherintemple, 2008

Rear room of lodge - early 2010

Detail of lodge in back yard. Photo taken 2008

As the conservation project advances I hope to put up photos showing the progress, as gradually this beautiful lodge is restored to life – so that once again people can cross the threshold and create new stories and new experiences as they holiday in the lodge.

I won’t bore you with too many details – but I thought it might be useful to summarise where Irish Landmark is at and how we got there.  In 1992 a group of people – realising that there were ‘saviours’ for many of the larger heritage buildings (bodies such as the Irish Georgian Society, An Taisce …etc.), became concerned that the more modest buildings were at risk of being overlooked.   Yet the story of these small, domestic scale buildings is just as important to our understanding of places and the lives of those who went before us.  So ..Irish Landmark Trust was established – first in the Republic of Ireland, and about 4 years later in Northern Ireland.  The first 3 years or so were spent identifying appropriate heritage buildings, setting up the organisation, and finding the funds to conserve or restore the buildings.   The first building restored was Wicklow Lighthouse – now the logo of Irish Landmark:  a symbol of our endeavours to save!

At this time, 21 buildings situated throughout Ireland north and south have been saved and put to new use as holiday homes (a use that ensures viability and a future for these buildings).  To see all these properties you can go to www.irishlandmark.com.