Headfort House, Kells

Headfort House is an exceptional mid-Georgian mansion of vast proportions, located just outside Kells, Co. Meath. Built c. 1760, the house has been in use as a private school since 1949 and is of international significance for its interiors, which contain a remarkable suite of staterooms designed by Scottish architect Robert Adam. Headfort is Adam’s only significant surviving work in Ireland, giving its interiors a unique place in the country’s architectural history. Consarc Conservation was appointed by the Headfort Trust as conservation architect and building surveyor, providing ongoing advice and overseeing a phased programme of repair, conservation and restoration. The work included the preparation of a Conservation Management Plan and five-year conservation action plan, together with the necessary statutory consents and funding advice.

A detailed investigation of the Adam interiors was undertaken to establish their condition and historic decorative schemes. Paint analysis, carried out in collaboration with a specialist paint consultant, informed the careful restoration of the original colour schemes. Essential repairs included delicate conservation of highly ornate plaster ceilings and the restoration of the principal interiors, alongside improvements to provide universal access. The project has supported the long-term conservation of one of Ireland’s most significant Georgian interiors while allowing Headfort to continue its use as a school.