Clones Courthouse

PKA was commissioned by Monaghan County Council in 2005 as lead architects for the conservation - and adaptation to cultural and community use - of the historic landmark courthouse on McCurtain Street, Clones.

Described as being of the 'Georgian House' style, Clones is typical of the fine nineteenth-century market-town courthouses found throughout the country.

After many years of decline and neglect - while the district court sat in Monaghan Town - the building was in need of considerable repair, as well as a creative adaptation and reuse to secure its future.

PKA's project enables the building to function primarily as a multi-purpose community resource for the town of Clones, and as a venue for cultural and social events. The building continues to accommodate monthly court sittings by means of a demountable Judge's bench and retractable furniture.

In accordance with international best practice, and the principle of reversibility contained in the government's architectural heritage protection guidelines, all the original fixtures and fittings were carefully surveyed before being removed to facilitate the building's adaptation to its socially and economically sustainable new use.

In addition to conservation of the elevation stonework, PKA's remodelling included measures to improve the environmental performance of the building, including insulation, under-floor heating, window upgrades and the re-roofing of the protected structure.

The philosophy underpinning the project is that that protected structures must be capable of adaptation and reuse if they are to endure, and that the combination of contemporary interventions with conservation of the historic fabric in projects such as can result in an architecture that is richer than either on its own.

Client: Monaghan County Council/Clones Town Council

Value: €1,000,000
Size: 400 Sq. m
Reference: Paul Clifford, Monaghan County Council
Design: 2005
Completion: 2008