Scaffolding on Four Courts dome coming down
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has said that the scaffolding that has covered the dome of the Four Courts in Dublin over the past few years will be dismantled over the next few weeks.
This work is being done during the courts’ recess period, in order to minimise disturbance to the Courts Service.
In an update on repair work at the dome, the OPW said that the most recent phase of work was completed at the end of July.
Autumn 2022
A further stage of work is needed, however, to repair the decorative stone capitals that support the dome, which is now more than 90 years old.
“The investigative findings will be reviewed, and works are anticipated to be tendered in early 2022 and commence on-site in autumn 2022,” the OPW said.
In 2011, a section of one of the capitals fell onto the roof of the Four Courts below, leading to the installation of catch netting to mitigate the immediate risk, pending the development of a programme of works to fully remove the emerging dangers.
Limited scaffolding was placed at a number of selected points, allowing specialists access to urgently examine and report on the cause, location and extent of the structural issues.
Load-bearing core damaged
It became evident, however, that the full extent of works could be established only by erecting a full scaffold. This work began in January 2015.
The OPW said that, during the removal of the capitals, it became evident that they were not only damaged at the edges, but that the load-bearing core was also damaged.
The next phase of work will involve the replacement of a greater number of capitals than originally envisaged. The OPW says that each capital assessment is in itself a separate exercise in removal, inspection, and either repair or replacement, depending on the structural viability of the stone core.
The steel angle above the capitals will also need to be replaced or repaired.