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Richhill Castle, Co. Armagh

Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, NI
Stronghold Preservation were requested by the architect to provide a comprehensive specialist timber report for Richhill Castle, which unfortunately is in a poor condition, due to lack of maintenance, especially in the roof structure; this has allowed extensive damp and water to penetrate into the building.

Stronghold Preservation operatives, along with the client, opened up and exposed timbers at various high risk areas to allow the surveyor access. The surveyor used various techniques to establish the condition of the building, including; visual examination, hand held probes & an electronic damp meter, hammer soundings, and an auger bit & drill.

The comprehensive survey was carried out on a room by room basis, with a full written report furnished to the architect and client.


  • Richhill Castle, Co Armagh Northern Ireland; the castle was suffering from damp and wood rot problems, due to poor maintenance 
  • The surveyor uses an electronic damp meter to determine the moisture content of timbers affected by wood rot, at Richhill Castle, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, NI 
  • A probe is easily inserted into the decayed timbers, showing the extent of the wood rot, at Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, NI 
  • The flooring has been affected by the damp and wood rot, and has started to crumble, at Richhill Castle, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, NI 
  • The timber battens are significantly decayed by the wood rot, caused by the penetrating damp, at Richhill Castle, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, NI 
  • Richhill Castle, Co Armagh Northern Ireland; the castle was suffering from damp and wood rot problems, due to poor maintenance 
  • The surveyor uses an electronic damp meter to determine the moisture content of timbers affected by wood rot, at Richhill Castle, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, NI 
  • A probe is easily inserted into the decayed timbers, showing the extent of the wood rot, at Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, NI 
  • The flooring has been affected by the damp and wood rot, and has started to crumble, at Richhill Castle, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, NI 
  • The timber battens are significantly decayed by the wood rot, caused by the penetrating damp, at Richhill Castle, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, NI 

Further Information


Survey
 The extensive survey and opening up noted that damp was penetrating due to a number of poorly maintained and poorly detailed areas, including; roof slates, lead flashings, cracked cills, chimney stacks, etc., leading to wet rot and dry rot in many areas, especially where the timbers were built into the walls (floor joists, wall plates, truss ends, etc).  Woodworm was found at various locations and structural cracks were also found in the masonry, believed to be because of a large oak tree, recently removed, and causing heave or dewatering of the ground

Stronghold Preservation were able to carry out the associated investigation works using their own experienced crafts people and surveyors, providing the client with a detailed written report, recommendations for repair solutions, along with specification details. The purpose of the survey, at this time, was to inform the architect and client as to the extent of the damp and wood rot problem, and to give them an indication as to the scope of work, and costs, required.

History
Richhill Castle was built in the 17th Century, as a large mansion house.  Some walls, however, are believed to date back to the original building, which was destroyed in the war in 1641.  It is unusual to its location due to the Dutch gable design.