Conservation of Elements of “Cooney’s Bar” Shop front

South Tipperary County Museum in Clonmel has received a grant from the Heritage Council for this project under the Heritage Management Scheme 2010. The aim of this project is to conserve one of the most remarkable remaining examples of local & traditional Irish shop fronts, which is now part of the museum’s collection. The decorative, wooden elements date from the nineteenth century and were part of an elaborate shop front, from a well known local grocery shop and pub run by the Cooney’s family which was trading in a town for many generations. “Cooney’s Bar” was located in the centre of Clonmel in the seventeenth century Main Guard building.

Venue:
For futher information on the conservation contact the Museum.
Further Info:
The shop front elements are not complete and unfortunately consist only of a few but highly representative parts: name-board, one large console, two small consoles, and the entrance door. There is also a little storage drawer with an interesting printed paper label inside. All these unique elements are in a bad preservation state and their conservation is vital for the retention of our knowledge about identity and character of the town’s past streetscapes. All examination and conservation treatments are carried out by a professionally trained conservator in the County Museum’s conservation laboratory. Prior to conservation treatments the analytical investigation of the condition, composition and chemical structure of the objects is carried out. The elements have been photographed to register the preservation state. In the initial stages the objects were examined using different light spectrums. Then light microscopy and micro-chemical tests were carried out to identify pigments, wood species and other materials. A study on dating the previous painting schemes of the elements was conducted by comparison of cross-sections of the painting layers with historic prints and photographs illustrating “Cooney’s Bar” in the past. The principle aim of the conservation is to halt degradation by elimination of the causes of damage and conservation of the existing historical material.
The other, very important element of this project is to promote our local heritage, craft and traditional skills through an education program associated with shop fronts. A series of different activities involving the local community are planned by the Museum staff in conjunction with South Tipperary Heritage Office. These activities can help to promote local heritage, highlight changing townscapes and conservation as a skilled discipline.

Contact Details

The Museum
Address: Mick Delahunty Square Clonmel
Tel: 052 6134550
Fax: 052 6180390
Email: museum@southtippcoco.ie
Web Address: www.southtippcoco.ie
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10.00am-5.00pm Last admission 15 munutes before closing time. Closed Sundays, Mondays and Bank Holidays.