2023:130 - Slade Harbour, Wexford

Wexford County Council carried out essential conservation repairs on the pier walls at Slade Harbour. Slade is located on the eastern side of the Hook peninsula in Co. Wexford. It consists of small fishing village that contains a harbour, a number of cottages and a 15th/16th-century castle. The northern wall of the harbour is a recorded monument which most likely dates from the late 17th century (RMP WX054-017).

The conservation works were concentrated on the wall faces of the north pier, the eastern pier and the southern harbour wall. The repairs primarily consisted of targeted repointing of degraded mortar joints and some infilling of masonry voids. The conservation repairs were carried out by competent stone masons under the supervision of the author. The works were archaeologically monitored in case any unrecorded architectural features were uncovered and to ensure that existing historic elements were retained. The monitoring programme failed to identify any new architectural features and no small finds were found during the course of the works.  Existing historic elements were retained and all repairs were undertaken in accordance with best-practice procedure and the advice outlined in the following state-issued advice documents: ‘Ruins – A Guide to the Repair of Masonry Ruins’ and ‘Architectural Heritage Protection – Guidelines for Local Authorities’.

The Hill, The Leap, Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford