Meet The Team
Aidan Quigley.
Director.
PDD. Historic Building Conservation & Repair.
My family has been deeply involved in the construction industry for four generations, both in Ireland and overseas, so it was natural that I followed this career path. A few years ago I found myself in a position to take a break from the customary new development house building trade that I had been working at for the previous two decades.
In 2011, we made the significant decision to purchase a local property known as Loftus Hall, an historic listed property boasting nine impressive bays and rising three stories high, encompassing approximately 25,000 square feet. At that time, we had little or no real experience with conservation works and possessed even less understanding of the essential principles that underpin it. The property was in a precarious state of disrepair and required immediate intervention to prevent further deterioration.
The primary challenge we faced was to assemble a talented group of Craftspeople and Tradespeople and to develop a comprehensive “bottom-up” philosophy that would ensure a foundational understanding of conservation practices across all involved crafts and trades. Over the last decade, as a result of collaborating with individuals dedicated to practicing and honing traditional skills, we have collectively shared a journey towards a more profound understanding and respect for our rich Built Heritage.
Throughout this experience, we have come to embrace the importance of conservation and have learned to work diligently with the fundamental principles of minimal intervention, all while effectively addressing the specific challenges faced by these historic buildings and alleviating the burdens felt by their owners.
Aidan
In 2016, Aidan was awarded the John Ashurst, English Heritage Prize on competition of The Building Conservation Masterclass programme (BCMs) which provides training in technical and practical skills in the repair and maintenance of historic structures.
The award honours outstanding academic understanding. It was set up in 2008 in memory of John Ashurst, the former Chief Architect at Historic England, who brought the Building Conservation Masterclass programme to West Dean College from its original base at Fort Brockhurst. He was one of the most influential authorities on stone conservation in the UK.
All West Dean courses are recognised by Historic England and adhere to its guidelines and standards aimed at improving practice.They have been designed and are delivered by leading practitioners in the field of building conservation. The courses follow the latest knowledge and developments in technology, craft and science applicable to historic buildings, archaeological sites and monuments and, in particular, the approach set out in the Practical Building Conservation series.
Richie Shannon.
Contracts Manager.
I have spent 27 years in the construction industry, serving my time as a qualified plasterer. Throughout that period, I have worked in London, Edinburgh, Saudi Arabia and more recently Dublin and the South East of Ireland.
During these years, I didn’t focus solely on plastering, I learned various trades to gain a better understanding of all aspects of this industry.
I have had the pleasure of collaborating with some of the most skilled tradesmen and women, along with reputable companies, all of whom inspired me with their dedication and expertise. I have learned how to identify workmanship, and people’s individual skills and personalities, which helps me assemble a reliable team at the outset of new projects.
I come from a long line of family members who were tradesmen, to whom I pay tribute for shaping many of my attributes in the construction industry.
I believe that effective communication is essential, and here at Loftus Heritage, our primary goal is to listen to our clients. While it may seem straightforward to put bricks and mortar together, by blending decades of experience with a healthy dose of imagination, we firmly believe that anything and everything becomes possible.
Richie