Instagram story viewer> @decowell_restoration> Posts

Ruth Bothwell

@decowell_restoration

2.5K

followers

3729

following

Conservation, Restoration and Decorative Arts Studio / Professional Conservators of Ireland @pcofireland

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

…. and that’s a wrap…
Finally decanting Westport Houses easel paintings collection prior to the eminent major house restoration project.
Over the last 4 years we have been paint researching, planning, proposing the decant along with conservation and preservation treatments for one of Irelands most significant historic houses and its unique interior architecture and decorative schemes.
Following last year’s condition report of the houses easel paintings and frames collection, we have now completed necessary interventions prior to their temporary storage.
We have fallen ❤️ for this magnificent house, its surroundings and past history as well as its unique architecture and decorative details, we wish the house much luck ☘️ with best practise treatment and care during renovations.
Looking forward to the journey to the next chapter and life of the majestic Westport House.

… taken in Westport Estate by @decowell_restoration

127

9

17 days ago

Over the past three weeks we carried out essential conservation treatments to the polychrome fibrous plaster enrichments and reliefs within the historic interior of the Grand Opera House @grandoperahousebelfast.
Since our major 2020–21 conservation campaign, @decowellrestoration has continued biannual condition surveys, with treatments scheduled during dark weeks to ensure best‑practice care of the building’s heritage fabric.
This project worked super well with the fine management of @whstephens_ and principle contractors @QMac construction Ltd And with the excellent organisation of @aztech scaffolders, we managed to gain high‑level access to clean accumulated dust, secure loose enrichments, address running cracks, refine surface variations and retouch in keeping with Robert McKinstry’s early‑1980s decorative scheme.
The Grand Opera House remains one of the finest surviving Frank Matcham theatres, distinguished by its remarkable Indian and oriental style. As Northern Ireland’s only theatre of its kind, it has endured significant damage during the Conflict War, including major bomb attacks in 1991 and 1993.
Its history is dramatic and at times precarious — nearly demolished in the late 1970s before a successful preservation campaign led by Robert McKinstry secured its listing and purchase by the Arts Council in 1976. The building was later gifted to The Opera House Trust in 2000.
Today, the Grand Opera House stands as a cultural landmark, heritage hub, educational space and vibrant centre for live performance. We are privileged to help maintain and preserve this extraordinary theatre. Huge thanks to our dedicated team and to members of the All Ireland Heritage Skills @allirelandheritageskills cohort who joined us onsite for hands‑on experience. taken in The Grand Opera House, Belfast by @decowell_restoration

129

5

a month ago

A privilege to have played a part in restoring these historic Dublin Cló Gaelach street signs for the residence of Marino with the talented @mcknight_decoration under the guidance of Ruth Bothwell of @decowell_restoration

These distinctive green & white signs are much more than street markers. Dublin’s bilingual signage emerged around the beginning of the 20th century during the Gaelic Revival, helping to make the Irish language and Irish identity visible in the public streetscape. The use of Cló Gaelach, based on the traditional script used in Irish manuscripts for centuries, gave these signs a powerful cultural and historical significance.

Restoring them correctly is just as important as preserving them. Historic signs carry evidence of their age, original materials & craftsmanship. Careful cleaning and accurate colour matching help retain their character rather than making them look new. A sensitive conservation approach respects the original fabric and ensures that their history remains visible for future generations.

With many surviving Cló Gaelach signs disappearing or being replaced by modern alternatives, every careful restoration helps preserve a small but important piece of Dublin’s streetscape and Irish heritage.

A special thank you to Ruth for sharing her knowledge, experience and passion for traditional restoration.

#DublinHeritage #ClóGaelach #Conservation #Restoration #IrishHeritage by @decowell_restoration

1k

86

2 months ago

Returning to repair water ingress damage to the decorative ceiling and cornice at one of Belfast’s iconic buildings Belfast Harbour Commissioners Office @belfastharbour1 We gilded the ceiling and entablature enrichments of the coffered ceilings on the 1st floor some 27 years ago using traditional oil size 12 hours and Plotons London hand beaten 23.75ct 16gms gold leaf. Still looking great 😊 by @decowell_restoration

143

8

2 months ago

Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Traditional Building Skills Day. Past and current craftsperson’s demonstrating learned craft skills through The All Ireland Heritage Skills Programme, now in its 4th year. Lovely to meet the 2026-7 Cohort, looking forward to working with some of ye. Best of ☘️ on this exceptional and monumental programme. @loveheritageni @ulstermuseum @citbni1 @kingsfoundation @theheritagecouncil @communities_ni #traditionalbuildingskills #buildingconservation #decorativepainting #buildingcrafts by @decowell_restoration

59

0

2 months ago

ICON 2026 “PRACTISE, PEOPLE, AND PURPOSE”
What a very powerful conference and gathering of Conservators and Craftsperson’s. Thank you for all who shared inspiring accounts of practises, processes and progress. Huge thanks to Patrick and the phenomenal ICON Team for organising such a great event 🙏 Our incredible legends 🇮🇪 @nimuseums team ❤️ 🥹 Great to catch up with friends and colleagues in such a stunning city, Edinburgh ❤️ @iconprivatepracticegroup @iconpaintingsgroup @iconscotland @icontextilegroup @icon_emerging_professionals @icon_sustainability @conservators_uk @icon_stained_glass @iconhigroup @icongdsg @icondynamicobjectsgroup by @decowell_restoration

47

0

4 months ago

PCOI @pcofireland Tear Mending Masterclass with Conservation Science legends Louise Wijnberg and Kate Seymour @art_conservation_education Providing x 2 full theoretical and practised based days of current approaches using tear mending and adhesive methods for paintings. Sharing knowledge and connections with 23 both home based and international participants from Museums, institutions and private practices was both inspiring and wholesome. Thank you to our incredible teachers and all who attended. Big respect to my fellow @pcofireland members Angela @amconservation and Alison @astrlfibres for organising and Rhea @rheecycled for helping. Huge thanks to Ursula and team at @cafecarberry for the delicious lunches and treats. Thanks again to Mumbai 27 @wearemumbai27 for our yummy dinner. Big Thank you again Vault Artist Studios @vaultartistsni for providing us with such an amazing space. Happy adhesive and tear mending all. ❤️ taken in Vault Artist Studios by @decowell_restoration

45

0

4 months ago

Good to get home this weekend to family and celebrate my brothers birthday, caught Olivia’s @oliviareesstudio incredible final artpiece of her Fine Art Masters Degree at Belfast Art College, and see some of the wonderful Alice Berger Hammerschlag and fellow contemporary artists work at @lyricbelfast Back to Dublin Castle tomorrow to complete the consolidation and retouching of losses on the wonderful Scagliola columns and pilasters of The Great Hall. ❤️ Art. by @decowell_restoration

124

2

4 months ago

Celebrating the extraordinary talented genius of the legendary Suzanne Sundara Garuda @garudadesign_ so deservedly been presented with a Lifetime Achievement award from The Ulster Tatler @ulster_tatler_interiors @ulstertatler last night in the stunning Belfast Harbour Commissioner’s Office @belfastharbour1 Suzanne is both an outstanding and inspirational artist, decorative painter, interior designer, businesswoman, employer, Mother and beautiful human being. Keep on doing what you do so well girl. Your fan and friend ❤️ Rx by @decowell_restoration

70

5

5 months ago

Great seminar this morning: Glazing the Past, Historic window repair and restoration at Brownlow House, Lurgan. Thanks 🙏 so much for organising this David Weir @lurganth sharing exemplary professional knowledge from : Joanne Curran @curranjoanne @ihbc_ni Dr Nessa Roache @nationalbuiltheritageservice Jonathan Black @jb_joinery_ni Lynn Bellamy TATRAGLASS @leaders_loughborough So good to revisit beautiful Brownlow House after conserving the finely executed 19th Century Scottish artisans marbling, woodgrain and gilt schemes, over 20 years ago. taken in Brownlow House by @decowell_restoration

61

0

5 months ago

The last few months were spent completing some of our Ecclesiastical projects. Ending with a very special Mass on Sunday to celebrate the reopening of the restored Queens Chaplincy. Working closely with the Consarc’s dream design team @consarc_ and our client Father Dominic along with principal contractor P&K Mc Kaigue, we remade the missing 1973 Ray Carroll fibreglass panels, reinstated to their original finish, consolidated Carolyn Mulholland’s wondrous bronzes, conserved the Chaplaincy’s art collection, and retouched the beautiful Italian Liturgical sculptures. The interior is breathtaking and well worth a visit. Amidst the Angelical adventures we celebrated my son Celestine @chundr and his birthday brother Daragh’s @dfm_art_ 30th Apoplectic Cowboy birthdays ❤️😊 by @decowell_restoration

91

10

5 months ago

Tear Mending Masterclass

For our 4th masterclass we are thrilled to be hosting not one, but two conservation educators and experts in their disciplines. Join us in Belfast on June 11 & 12 2026 for a Tear Mending Workshop with Kate Seymour and Louise Wijnberg.

This 2 day advanced level masterclass is designed to offer professional conservators a comprehensive and practical understanding of tear repair techniques for canvas and textiles. Participants will gain both theoretical understanding and practical experience, enabling them to approach tear repair with confidence and precision.

We hope you’ll join us in Belfast this June. Just head to the link in our bio to book your place and don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! #artconservationeducation #tearmendingworkshop #paintingconservation #professionalconservatorsofireland #belfast taken in Vault Artist Studios by @decowell_restoration

3

0

6 months ago