How to look after a Big House

How to control woodworm? Clean a chandelier? Prevent the west-wing roof leaking? Owners of private houses of historical significance – as well as curators of heritage properties – are among the target audience for a study day in the saloon at Russborough House, Blessington, Co Wicklow, on Thursday.

Titled Heritage Housekeeping: Philosophy and Practice, it is being run jointly by the Irish Georgian Society and the Institute of Conservators-Restorers in Ireland.

Running from 9.30am-5.15pm, it includes formal presentations “about the appropriate care and cleaning of furniture, paintings and frames, carpets and other textiles, glassware, ceramics, silver, paper and photographs”. There will also be a “handling session using art objects from Russborough’s own collection” and a guided tour of the house.

The keynote speaker is Katy Lithgow, head conservator of Britain's National Trust. Other talks include Integrated Pest Management in Heritage Properties: Alternative Ways of Combating Heritage Eaters by Sven Habermann, conservation manager at Letterfrack, and Displaying Oil Paintings in Historic Houses: Conservation Principles, Care and Maintenance by Simone Mancini, head of conservation at the National Gallery of Ireland.

The cost is €90 (members €80) and places can be reserved via the Irish Georgian Society’s website, igs.ie, or by phone at 01-6798675.