Spring lecture series on how to preserve period properties

Broadcaster and designer Kevin McCloud says the care and repair of an old house is like a giant exercise in recycling and mending. The owners of many of the historic houses in Dublin who have poured their life-savings into restoring their homes probably don’t need to be reminded.

However help is at hand from the Irish Georgian Society which is running a spring lecture series on the helpful theme of "Conserving Your Period House" which includes Edwardian, Victorian and Georgian homes. The 12-week lunchtime talks, held in partnership with Dublin City Council, will cover everything from maintenance of windows, doors, staircases and ironwork to making your home more energy efficient and dealing with protected structures legislation. Each lecture will be given by a specialist in that area.

Emmeline Henderson, conservation manager with the Irish Georgian Society says that the course will be of value to homeowners and professionals – particularly architects, engineers, planners, surveyors and heritage contractors. "People often ask us how they can deal with issues of damp and energy efficiency," she says. The series aims to point homeowners in the right direction to get conservation advice and "give them the courage to have work done on their house".

Lectures will be held in City Assembly House, 58 South William St, Dublin at 1-2pm on Tuesdays in March, April and May (€100 for all 12 or €10 per lecture). See igs.ie or call 01-6798675 for details.