Major work planned for roof of university Quadrangle

NUI Galway is set to carry out major repair and conservation works to roofs on the Quadrangle building, which dates back to the mid-1800s.

College authorities have drawn up extensive plans for the east and west wing roofs, turrets and the clock tower because of timber decay and damaged slates. The building is a Protected Structure.

The problems have led to dampness in the walls in rooms directly underneath, they told the City Council in a new planning application.

The proposed works will include:

■ Erection of a temporary roof over the area being re-roofed
■ Removal of slates and grade them for re-use
■ Removal of flashings, gutters, slating battens
■ Removal of flat copper roof behind clock tower
■ Examination of all timber work and wall plates
■ Repair and re-pointing of stonework
■ Construct a new section of room behind the clock tower
■ Fit new copper in place of slate and mortar on the turrets

Repairs will also be carried out to the clock faces and hands, while new access ladders and hatches will be built into the roof.

“The east and west wing roofs are in poor condition exhibiting dampness in walls of rooms under.

“The proposed re-roofing and repair will be the completion of necessary work which was commenced in 2002 and will secure the long-term future of this important historical building,” the planning application reads.

The Quadrangle at what was then Queen’s College first opened its doors to 63 students on October 20, 1849, having taken three years to build.

The building – which is based on Christchurch in Oxford – is now mainly used for administrative purposes and houses the offices of the President and Vice-President.