St. Michaels Church, Blackrock

St. Michaels church was built in 1827 by William Hill Architect. It served as a chapel of ease to St. Finbarres in Cork. It is an impressive structure of hewn limestone with a tower crowned with battlements and pinnacles. The spire of the Church is 60 foot high.

Information:
Client: Select Vestry of Douglas Union
Architect: Murray O Laoire Architects
Structural Engineer: Fourem Consulting Engineers
Quantity Surveyor: Richard Leonard & Associates
Main Contractor: Cornerstone Construction

Cornerstone Construction were contracted to carry out significant structural repairs to this church. The existing hammer beam truss in the north transept, a key structural element, was badly decayed. Minimum intervention with the original fabric of the building is always a preference on restoration projects. Therefore, a meticulous resin repair, as specified by the engineer, was carried out on the truss allowing it to maintain its structural load bearing capacity.

The entire roof was reslated using existing salvageable slates and slates salvaged elsewhere. All roof timbers were treated before reslating commenced. A new lightning protection system was installed along with restored rainwater goods. Numerous types of leadwork was carried out including soakers and step flashings, apron flashings, valley gutter lining to slate roof and lead damp proof course.