Fig.2 View from Wellesley (Sarsfield) Bridge, 1870

Executive Summary

Significance has been assessed under the guidance within the NIAH Handbook and with reference to Historic England’s Advice Notes for the guidance of the assessment of significance. The designations of significance have been separated into, ‘high’, ‘medium’, ‘low’ and ‘negative’. The critical observation being that not all of the site’s history imbues heritage significance.

For the most part this assessment draws similar conclusions to that of the 2015 assessment. Where difference in significance occurs, it relates to the interpretation of the historical development of the site with an acceptance that not all historic changes have added to the heritage significance and in fact some have served to erode the legibility and importance of the site. In this broadest assessment this can be attributed to works after 1927. While this date does not prevent later elements having significance, it does represent both the end of the period in which activities had historical significance and the start of changes that, for the most part, have eroded the understanding of the site, its earlier form and most importantly the aspects of interest that make the site special.

Significance is largely based in Historical, Architectural and Technical Interest. To a lesser extent there is also significance based in Archaeological, Artistic and Social Interest.

Structures from the period of the Flax Mill retain high significance as do those of the initial phase of the Cleeve’s operation from the period 1884-1895.

Later alterations require close analysis to determine their significance and to enable a balanced assessment of any potential impact or harm that may be caused by their alteration or removal.

There is much on the site that dates to its operation post 1927 and which imposes a negative impact on the legibility and authenticity of the site as a unique or rare example of formal, designed Irish industrial architecture. The peeling back of the later accretions will serve to enhance the legibility of the core asset, generating ‘heritage gain’ by revealing the site in an earlier form.

The heritage gains that can be made will be most successfully achieved by balancing the vision for re-use with the careful retention of significant historic fabric. This statement has been prepared to guide the development of understanding of both the structures and the site in order to enable the preparation of sensitive proposals for the reuse of the buildings and the site. This will inevitably require change and intervention into the historic fabric.

A greater understanding of certain structures is required. Investigation into the buildings noted in (Fig.6) will also further develop the assessment of significance of the remaining fabric. It is understood that this will come with the future development of proposals.