Conservation Project – the story so far

Stonemason, Seamus Doherty, left and Builder, John (Eddie) Doherty, right, selecting stones

The Carrickabraghy Restoration Society was formed to save the castle, stabilise it and preserve it as a ruin. Initial reports commissioned from an engineer, an archaeologist and a conservation architect indicate that remedial work was urgently needed in order to avoid complete collapse of the remaining structure. These experts prepared a detailed specification which guided the Society’s work.

A grant towards the conservation work was offered by Inishowen Development Partnership under the National Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 but the Carrickabraghy Restoration Society who have to date raised almost €20,000 still have to raise another €20,000.

Although the Carrickabraghy site and the castle  was secured and the preparatory archaeological excavation carried out in autumn 2012, work had to be suspended during the winter months and did not resume until the end of April 2013.  However in recent months great progress has been made on the conservation work – walls stabilised, loose stones secured and the pointing of the structure using lime mortar almost completed.

The stabilisation of the O Doherty castle should be completed by the end of Septemeber 2013. The conserved physical remains of part of Inishowen and O Doherty heritage and history will have been saved from collapse and will stand proudly for future generations.

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