The Parochial Hall in Ballinasloe is set to receive a facelift to repair the ageing roof and carry out fire safety renovations to the interior of the building.
Ballinasloe Town Band is seeking planning permission re-batten and re-slate the roof of the historic parochial hall, as well as install new fire resistant sheeting inside and other light repairs.
The Parochial Hall at Dunlo, Ballinasloe is a Protected Structure with the Architectural Conservation Area of Ballinasloe Town.
A conservation report prepared for this application noted that the slate ceiling is in “a poor state of repair and is leaking, particularly where lead flashing etc. is damaged”.
The natural slate tiles that currently roof the hall will be removed and stored to be reinstated wherever possible.
While the slate tiles are off, it is intended to carry out repairs to the roof timbers, replacing them where necessary, and install new lead sheet flashing.
The original slate tiles will be reinstated as much as possible, while any replacement slates that are needed will be of a similar type, size, and provenance.
Other works to be carried out on the roof include repairs to the chimney stacks’ masonry, and the installation of new cast iron guttering and down pipes.
According to the planning application, all work on the roof will take place under the supervision of an accredited Building Conservation Surveyor to protect its architectural heritage.
The proposed internal renovations to the building largely consist of fire protection works such as sheeting the ceiling in fire resistant plaster boards on the ground and first floors, first removing the existing ceiling sheeting.
Other work will involve removing and replacing part of the staircase where it has rotted, and painting and decorating walls and ceilings.
Galway County Council is currently due to make a decision on this planning application by May 21.
