The restoration of The Main Guard, Clonmel, Tipperary, has been awarded the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland's (RIAI) Conservation and Restoration Silver Medal. The Medal is considered one of Ireland's most prestigious architectural awards and was presented to Margaret Quinlan of Margaret Quinlan Architects. The medal is awarded to an architect or architectural practice for excellence or exceptional merit in Restoration and Conservation. The refurbishment of The Main Guard was undertaken on behalf of Ms Quinlan's client, the Office of Public Works.

Speaking at the presentation of the Silver Medal to Ms Quinlan, Paul Keogh, President, RIAI, said: "The Main Guard is possibly the oldest surviving classical public building in Ireland and was, like many other national architectural treasures, neglected and forgotten and had little chance of surviving in its original, purposeful and beautiful form. Urban development has swept away many similar building in cities and towns around Ireland. Miss Quinlan’s dedication and perseverance in restoring and conserving this building is as much a testament to her passion as to her considered and sensitive response to how an historic building can be restored and revitalised for the benefit of the wider community as a whole."

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Paul Arnold, Chair of the Silver Medal Judging Panel, added: "In addition to Miss Quinlan’s outstanding work, all those who entered the Silver Medal should be recognised for their commitment to their profession and passion for helping to conserve and restore Ireland’s architectural heritage. Additional recognition goes to James Howley from Howley Hayes Architects, based in Dublin, who was high commended at the awards ceremony for his work in restoring the Browne Clayton Column, considered by some to be one of the most extraordinary ornamental landscape structures in Ireland. Architectural practice McCullough Mulvin, also based in Dublin, was also highly commended for their work in conserving the Sligo Courthouse."

(CD)