Drone survey of Kildare's historic chimneys
The upper main street of Kilcullen today.
DRONES will be used to undertake a comprehensive streetscape survey of Kilcullen’s upper main street to assess its heritage value. The project, part of the Kilcullen Design Principles Initiative and in collaboration with Kildare County Council, is being organised by Kilcullen Community Action and will gather detailed data on building elevations, streetscape features, roofs, visible services, and chimney stacks. A grant application has been submitted to the Heritage Council to help fund the project.
The survey aims to document key architectural and infrastructural elements within Kilcullen’s historic centre, providing a basis for future conservation and enhancement initiatives. The project will also include streetscape elevation drawings, an assessment of wiring and services, and an evaluation of chimney stack conditions.
Local businesses and property owners have been contacted for permission to carry out the survey, with an overwhelmingly positive response. The initiative will include free condition assessments, with the potential to coordinate repairs where necessary.
"Since many older buildings no longer use their fireplaces and flues, chimneys are beginning to show signs of neglect," says KCA's Noel Clare. "Modern heating systems have blocked or removed flues, and the decline of traditional repair skills contributes to moisture damage, structural issues, and the slow deterioration of these important features. In terrace buildings specifically, shared stacks are vulnerable to wind, rain, and changes in neighbouring properties. Owing to Kilcullen's slope, its chimneys are particularly prominent in the town’s roofscape, making it an ideal candidate for a pilot study."
The initiative aligns with recent planning and heritage efforts, including the nomination of the upper part of the town as a candidate conservation area. The survey results will support grant applications, guide shopfront treatments, and foster community engagement with Kilcullen’s heritage.
The impetus for the project came from the Kilcullen Design Statement commissioned by KCA in 2021 and produced by consultants Paul Hogarth and Company.
