Moores Hotel
Window Railing
This restoration project holds a special place in my heart. As a young lad, I vividly remember walking down the main street in Cappoquin, Co. Waterford, with my mother. We would often pass by the old Moores Hotel, and I was always captivated by the beautiful window railing that adorned its façade. The intricate steel flowers were a marvel to my young eyes, and I found myself mesmerised by the craftsmanship that went into creating such a stunning piece of art.
Fast forward 35 years, and I am honoured to have been commissioned by the Cappoquin Community Development Committee to restore this wonderful piece of architecture. Given that the railing is over 100 years old, it had understandably succumbed to extensive rusting, and one of its charming flowerhead features was completely missing.
I approached this project with a deep sense of respect and nostalgia, aiming to preserve as much of the original character as possible. Using traditional forging techniques combined with modern technology, I carefully restored the railing, paying special attention to recreating the missing flowerhead. This part of the process was particularly enjoyable, as it allowed me to breathe new life into a piece that had long been a part of my childhood memories.
Now that the restoration is complete, the railing is awaiting protective coatings and will be reinstalled in the coming weeks. I look forward to seeing this little piece of historical architecture back in its rightful place. These are the gems that weave together the fabric of our rural towns and villages across Ireland, and I am grateful to have played a role in preserving this one.
