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Ruth Bothwell

@decowell_restoration

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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

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Views from the scaffold.
The Grand Opera House, Belfast.
Conservation, Restoration and cleaning.
With Decowell Conservation.

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Dublin Castle. Restoring Scagliola columns with Decowell conservation.
Here, Ruth getting a first finish coat of an oil mix on to the surface of the first column. An immediate, dramatic difference.
Over future days, weeks, months there will be more layers to apply with an eventual final polish.
Also, finally, a pic of a sample test area showing the difference between the “raw” dry plaster of the Scagliola surface and an area with freshly applied oil.

#bcsculptureconservation
#decowell
#scagliola
#scagliolarestoration

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Dublin Castle.
Restoration of Scagliola Columns with Decowell Conservation.
Here, Applying a first layer of an oil mix to the bare restored surface of the scagliola column.

#bcsculptureconservation
#Decowell
#scagliolarestoration
#scagliola
#dublincastle

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Restoration of Scagliola Columns.
The State Apartments at Dublin Castle.

Restoration of four Scagliola columns and pilasters in the long Portrait Gallery, overlooking the grand courtyard of Dublin Castle.
A peaceful walk Around the Gallery before the day’s work begins.
Working with the very knowledgeable Ruth Boswell of “Decowell Restoration” and her talented young team.

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Grand Opera House Belfast.

Conservation with Decowell.

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A chapel brought to life through craft and collaboration, with each element restored or created by skilled hands.

Centro Ave (Italian liturgical artists) shaped the heart of the space, hand-applying gold leaf to the Jerusalem stone altar, building the reredos with gold and plaster, and incorporating a hand-carved sculpture of St Thomas and the Risen Christ.

This continues through the creation of the handmade stained glass and the careful restoration of the Stations of the Cross, giving them renewed presence within the chapel.

Alongside this, @decowell_restoration have revived the existing Ray Carroll artworks, fabricating missing fibreglass elements on the front elevation and restoring the original colour palette through detailed paintwork.

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i beseech you to bleach you

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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

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Some lovely signage and decorative painting for the Guinness Warehouse with @decowell_restoration 🍻

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A curated glimpse into the most memorable moments of the 2026 TPF Conference.

A chance to reconnect with friends and colleagues, forge new relationships, and engage with a community united by a serious commitment to painterly practice.

The programme featured a compelling series of talks by Dr Nikki Frater, Marta Sledz, Ryan John Wilson, Alan Dodd, Ruth Bothwell, Paul Humphries, and Doree Carrier. Complementing these were outstanding exhibitions by Rose of Jericho, Richard McPherson, and Croxford & Saunders.

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Another wonderful gathering at the TPF
Annual Conference 2026 - “The Bigger
Picture.”
A big thank you to all our speakers, exhibitors, committee members, and the ISH venue for helping to make this such an excellent and memorable day.
The talks and exhibitions were fascinating, covering a broad spectrum of painterly pursuits-from insights into mural painting, wood graining, and marbling, to historic paint conservation, materials and their application, traditional tools and references, and contemporary finishing techniques. It was also encouraging to see emphasis on apprenticeships and training.
The past, the present, and the future

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