2023:017 - Gubalaun Abbey/St Mogue's Church, Gubalaun, Leitrim

The conservation works at Gubalaun Abbey, Rossinver, Co. Leitrim took place in October and December 2021. A second phase of works were undertaken between October 2022 and January 2023. During this time regular site inspections and archaeological monitoring were conducted of the conservation works.
The works for this phase (Phase 2) focused on conservation of the South and West walls including repointing the historic masonry, the removal of the limestone buttresses (part of previous works in 2018) and the conservation of wall niche features (compartments and the draw bar hole).
Rebuilding and repointing the historic masonry remains of Gubalaun Abbey began with works to the South wall. Temporary scaffolding was erected on the exterior and interior of the wall. During previous work in 2018 a limestone wall had been built as a buttress to the unstable remains of the south wall, this was removed. Vegetation and soil within the crevices of the wall were carefully removed and the uncoursed sandstone walls were repointed. A suitable lime mortar mix was sourced from Traditional Lime Company; Otterbien NHL 3.5 was used for pointing and Otterbien NHL 5.0 was used for flaunching. Grit and sand in the mix was sourced locally from Leitrim Stone. Washed Aggregate Grit 3-6mm & 6-10mm was used. Plastering Sand was also supplied by Leitrim Stone. The mix proportion was: 2.5 Sand 0.5 Grit: 1 Lime.
Due care was given for the maintenance of habitat for bat species that live in the walls of the ruined church. During this phase of works several bat boxes were built into the exterior of the West wall and interior of the South wall. To prevent any damage to headstones and ledgers temporary protective measures were taken by the erection of wooden casing around the graves in the direct vicinity of the church.
A limited amount of pointing was completed on the exterior South wall. Within the interior South wall two stone niches or cupboards were noted, two further features of comparable form were noted on the opposite interior North wall. A significant crack is present in the interior South wall in the south-east corner. To secure this portion of the wall heavy ivy growth was removed and the wall will be conserved in a future phase. Both the niches will be left untouched as these are original medieval features associated with the church.
Further work took place to the western end of the South wall where it is abutted by the West wall. There was also a buttress here that had been erected in 2018. This was removed and it revealed a drawbar niche feature for a door that had been covered over by the previous masonry of the buttress. The niche was sub-square in profile and extended into the wall recess for 0.8m. The importance of this feature is that it indicates that there was formerly a door into the church at the south-western side; no upstanding trace of a doorway was observed until the drawbar niche was found. An extant corbel stone is present in the upper course of the South wall, suggesting a floor may have existed here. The corbel and possible chimney feature in the adjoining West wall were left untouched, and the stonework was repointed but not rebuilt. A dressed sandstone block was also noted at the base of the wall.
Rebuilding and repointing the historic masonry remains of the West wall was also undertaken. This wall appears to be a later insertion and is not tied into the north or south wall, and possibly the remains of a priest’s quarters at the west end of the church. The southern area of the wall has a distinct curve which is thought to be a possible chimney. Temporary scaffolding was erected on the exterior and interior of the wall. During the conservation of the West wall a dressed stone windowsill was found loosely resting on the top of the wall. The stone measured 0.51m (L), 0.2m (D), 0.32m (W) and the stepped sill had a depth of 0.05m. Narrow lines were incised on the stone's upper surface and may be for holding panes of glass in place.
Archaeological monitoring of conservation works took place at Gubalaun Abbey between October 2022 and February 2023. The works were conducted under archaeological guidance and through consultation with the National Monuments Service. Monitoring of the works was conducted under an extension to licence 21E0553 and under strict archaeological supervision. No subsurface archaeological remains were disturbed, and the historic character and integrity of the medieval church was maintained. The unstable West and South walls have been successfully consolidated and preserved for the future.

Cooldrumman Upper, Carney, Co. Sligo