6. CONSERVATION POLICIES
This Conservation Plan should be formally adopted by the Kilkenny Archaeological Society and endorsed by the Heritage Council, Kilkenny Corporation, Kilkenny County Council, the Gaelic League, FAS, South East Tourism and Bord Failte.
The Conservation Plan should be reviewed on an annual basis (a table in Appendix 5 will facilitate this review). A brief statement of Conservation Philosophy is set out below, followed by General Policy positions (which apply to the complex as a whole) and Specific Policies (which apply to either specific elements or functions; cross references to Vulnerability are provided in square brackets).
This Plan has outlined an understanding of Rothe House, its significance, and issues of vulnerability. Section 6.8 of the Plan suggests a management framework to ensure the conservation of the significant and vulnerable elements of the Place and promote an understanding for the benefit of visitors.

6.1 CONSERVATION PHILOSOPHY
The most basic philosophic tenet of this plan is that Rothe House should remain the heart of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society, benefit from long-term conservation, and be managed to maximise visitor enjoyment, appreciation and understanding. From this beginning several consequences flow:

• Conservation of the buildings, structures and burgage plot of Rothe House is of paramount importance.
• Further archaeological investigation and research will provide the factual knowledge and understanding of the site, supporting presentation facilities.
• Conservation-led presentation would ensure the integrity of both the structure of the house and of its contents. Visitor appreciation and enjoyment of the house derives from both the presentation facilities and the conservation of its historic fabric.
• Visitor appreciation, enjoyment and understanding are fundamental to maintaining and increasing visitor numbers. This applies directly to the house but would clearly have beneficial consequences for the wider community of Kilkenny.

The management of this monument should be undertaken in partnership with a range of other organisations with interests in Kilkenny. The range of organisations and individuals consulted in the preparation of this Plan provides the essential first step towards this, but the process initiated here must be continued.

6.2 GENERAL CONSERVATION POLICIES
These policies have developed out of the preceding sections. Where elements of significance have been identified and are vulnerable to threat, policies have been devised for retention, enhancement or appropriate relocation. Policies are usually framed as a general strategy so that professional advice is brought to bear to determine practicability and detailed methodology.
One of the central policies in conservation and management plans is a programme of regular care and maintenance (which is a legal requirement of owners of historic buildings). This is appropriate for a number of elements of Rothe House where no particular conservation action is required at present. The policies and actions presented below are, essentially, exceptions to this rule of regular care. Unless a specific element is mentioned below, the conservation policy is effectively to maintain proper care and maintenance until appropriate professional guidance has been obtained.
The main policy positions address the following objectives:

• Long-term protection of Rothe House from inappropriate developments.
• Long-term conservation of the most significant aspects of Rothe House as defined in this Plan.
• Encourage adaptations or new works which are compatible with the conservation of significance but which would enhance presentation and interpretation.
• Appropriate preservation of the well-preserved merchant's house of c. 1594-1617, supported by further primary archaeological and historical investigations, research and publications, will maximise visitor enjoyment and appreciation.
• Develop an education strategy, in partnership with local organisations and with purpose-designed facilities on site, to maximise the potential for Rothe House to serve as an educational resource for a wide range of subjects and topics.
• Maximise the potential for improving on-site visitor facilities which are commensurate with the authentic fabric.
• The Kilkenny Archaeological Society has committed itself to delegating the management of Rothe House to a wholly owned limited company within the total control of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society (hereafter 'the limited company that will assume responsibility for Rothe House') under the direction of a Management Committee (see Policy 29).
• Maximise the value of existing infrastructure by improving universal access.
• Support tourism in order to strengthen the local economy and provide benefits for all local commercial interests.

6.3 POLICIES TO PROTECT THE URBAN SETTING
These policies are intended to ensure the statutory protection of Rothe House and its setting from inappropriate development within its immediate vicinity. Future development within the immediate vicinity of the house and in the wider setting of Kilkenny City should be essentially sympathetic to the surroundings, especially in the light of the new development proposals for the property adjoining the south-east corner of House 2. The future setting of Rothe House can only be protected if the following measures are taken. The Kilkenny Archaeological Society should seek to ensure that the councillors and officers of Kilkenny Corporation act to conserve the historic fabric of Kilkenny.
Policy 1: The Kilkenny Archaeological Society will seek to remove the inappropriate concrete block wall created by the adjacent development on Evan's Lane. In the past, the absence of appropriate planning conditions, monitoring and enforcement have left this nationally significant site vulnerable to loss, thereby affecting its physical condition and lessening its future significance. [5.1.1]
Policy 2: The Society will seek to have the recently demolished curtilage wall rebuilt to match the existing boundary wall, albeit as a conjectural reconstruction. The future setting of the site needs to be protected through effective planning control. Planners may need to have a greater awareness of the requirements of historic structures and their setting in order to tighten planning controls. [5.1.1]
Policy 3: The Society and the Heritage Council will encourage Kilkenny Corporation to seek to address the issue of the height of the illegal three-storey development on Evan's Lane. [5.1.1]
Policy 4: The Society and the Heritage Council will encourage Kilkenny Corporation to exercise powers to ensure that conditions of planning consent for future developments in Kilkenny City are complied with and are in essence sympathetic to the surroundings. [5.1.2]

6.4 POLICIES FOR ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: STRUCTURAL CONSERVATION AND MAINTENANCE
Policies under this section address the need for further assessment of the current condition of the fabric of the house and boundary walls in order to inform future maintenance programmes and halt deterioration, thereby reducing the risk that the lack of structural maintenance represents to the long-term survival of the structure.
Policy 5: The Kilkenny Archaeological Society (and the limited operating company it intends to establish to operate Rothe House) will, within one year, commission a Quinquennial Report to consider all aspects of the fabric of the building (grant-funding from the Heritage Council or other authorities may be available). A Quinquennial Report would form the first of a series of a rolling programme of surveys which would assess the condition of the fabric of the house. Its recommendations would create the basis for a prioritised and costed conservation and repair programme and determine the need for more detailed surveys of specific elements during intermediate years. The Report could be used to inform decisions about the appropriateness of any element of work to be carried out in the future (in advance of the Quinquennial Report, the roof of House 2 has been repaired). [5.2.1 - 3]
Policy 6: The Kilkenny Archaeological Society (or the limited operating company) will implement recommendations of the first Quinquennial Report and continue subsequent surveys thereafter. [5.2]
Policy 7: The Society (or the limited operating company) will seek to retain structural integrity and such authenticity as may be identified as surviving, as noted here and/or in the Quinquennial Report. [5.2.3, 5.1.2]
Policy 8: In order to avoid losing further archaeology (above and below ground), and to avoid unsympathetic development or modifications to existing structures, the Society (or the limited operating company) will seek to include the following processes, as appropriate [5.1.2, 5.2.2]:

6.5 POLICIES CONCERNING ARCHAEOLOGY: THE BUILDINGS AND THE GARDEN
The policies in this section seek to address issues arising from the significance of the site which are offset by the currently incomplete knowledge of the history and evolution of Rothe House, and the reintegration of the burgage plot. Publication and further investigation will enhance understanding of the site, thereby providing greater awareness of the house and its significance.
Policy 9: The Kilkenny Archaeological Society (or the limited operating company) will work to reintegrate Rothe House with the rear of the plot (i.e. the former OPW site and the remainder of the rear section of the plot) in order to regain its integrity as a single burgage plot. [5.3.1] Note: There is a need for urgent short-term conservation works to be undertaken to some sections of the garden walls.
Policy 10: The Society (or the limited operating company) will 're-create' John Rothe's garden. This should be based on archaeological and historical investigations, leading to the creation of a garden which is sympathetic to the houses. If returned to their original state, the gardens and orchards could add appreciably to the overall significance of the site. [5.3.1]
Policy 11: The Society (or the limited operating company) will use every opportunity offered by approved works to undertake archaeological investigation of structures, burgage plot and garden to enhance the understanding of the site by establishing earlier evidence of the original layout of the gardens. [5.3.1, 5.3.2]
Policy 12: In accordance with its own aims, the Society will ensure publication of popular and academic literature on the history and nature of Rothe House, its evolution and role within Kilkenny and Ireland. This would prevent the dispersal or loss of accumulated knowledge about Rothe House. [5-3.3]

6.6 POLICIES CONCERNING THE MUSEUM AND ARCHIVE COLLECTIONS
Policies under this heading seek to refine the collections currently held at Rothe House, direct the compilation of any future collections, and secure the long-term care and survival of the artefacts retained and to be collected.
Policy 13: The Kilkenny Archaeological Society (or the limited operating company) will define a future Collections Policy, with professional consultation as appropriate, to guide the assemblage of future material. Any future collections policy needs to establish whether the collections will reflect the house and a specific period - in this case, Rothe House in the 16th-17th centuries. The library collections will have a wider remit, collecting material about County Kilkenny from all sources and for all periods. If future collections do not fulfil the specific objectives laid out in the Collections Policy, they may again be vulnerable to being sidetracked and forgotten. [5.4.3; 5.4.4]
Policy 14: The Society (or the limited operating company) will seek suitable museums/repositories with which to deposit elements of the collections that do not support the Collections Policy (Policy 13) and the presentation and display of Houses 1-3 as set out in Policy 21. [5.4.1]
Policy 15: The Society (or the limited operating company) will identify material within the collections that support the 16th-17th-century history of the house as set out in Policies 13 and 21. Currently the known collections are intrinsically valuable but few appear to relate to Rothe House. [5.4.1]
Policy 16: The Society (or the limited operating company) will document and catalogue the collections retained to the standards produced by the Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works in Ireland (ICHAWI). To prevent further loss; it is imperative that these collections are assembled into some sort of order, their full extent quantified and their care/display/documentation put in the hands of professional staff. In essence, there is a great need for professional input on maintenance, conservation and display of the collections. [5.4.2, 5.4.3]
Policy 17: The Society (or the limited operating company) will commission professional conservators (via Museums and Archives officer, the Heritage Council and ICHAWI) to advise on the care, storage and display conditions of retained collections. [5.4.2-4]
Policy 18: The Society (or the limited operating company) will provide a dedicated storage facility with controlled environmental conditions for all collections retained at Rothe House. [5.4.2]
Policy 19: The Society (or the limited operating company) will continue the library and genealogy services. For the present, these will be kept administratively separate, with the library remaining the property of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society, but the two will be located together and overseen by the Property Manager (there may be advantages to amalgamating the two at some future date). This provides a great opportunity for enhancing the significance of both the library and of Rothe House. The library currently provides a research facility to a limited few. Greater access for academics and the general public, with a fee from non-members, would also provide an incentive to join the Society and boost membership. The future collection of material for the library would be directed within a wider context (see Policy 13). These facilities should be maintained according to advice from professional staff to provide the care and maintenance the records require. [5.4.4]
Policy 20: The Property Manager will oversee the care of all retained collections (See also Policies 29 and 30). [5.4]

6.7 POLICIES FOR TOURISM, EDUCATION AND PRESENTATION
The three component parts of Rothe House, with the integrated courtyards and garden, should be presented as a coherent whole. The policies in this section address the need for agreement on a new pattern of use for the complex (see also Section 6.2).
These policies also address the need for improving the presentation of Rothe House for the visiting public and more generally as part of the streetscape of Kilkenny, Policies for raising the profile of Rothe House and improving visitor circulation around the complex are also included.
Policy 21: The Kilkenny Archaeological Society (or the limited operating company) will seek to turn House 1 into an 'authentic' exemplar of a furnished early 17th-century merchant's house... as authentic as buildings archaeology studies will allow. [5.4.1, 5.5.1]
Suggestions for Houses 2, 3 and the garden are:

• House 2 could become the administrative centre of the complex, meeting rooms for the Society and for hire to others on regular/irregular basis, the Kilkenny Archaeological Society Library, the genealogy information service and database, storage facilities etc. It is also likely to be publicly accessible in part. [5.5.1]
• House 3 might be the interpretative centre for Kilkenny, an educational resource centre, shop and tea shop. [5.5.1]
• The garden should be re-created in John Rothe's style, establishing a focus of interest and support for Rothe House. Outline plans should be prepared for the re-creation of the garden, with appropriate buildings which are sympathetic to the surviving structure. [5.5.1]

Policy 22: The Kilkenny Archaeological Society (or the limited operating company) will seek to make the access unambiguous, with a strong presence on Parliament Street. [5.5.1]
Policy 23: The Society (or the limited operating company) will commission an access audit and implement it to improve access for all throughout the complex. [5.5.2]
Policy 24: The Society (or the limited operating company) will seek to improve cross-marketing initiatives, linking in with the Castle and Cathedral. [5.5.3]
Policy 25: The Society (or the limited operating company) will seek to integrate exhibition design into the presentation of Rothe House, including the introduction of audio tours, signage and leaflets. [5.5.4-6]
Policy 26: The Society (or the limited operating company) will create a new visitor circulation route for the complex, with appropriate orientation signage. [5.5.5]
Policy 27:The Society (or the limited operating company) will seek to ensure that the visitor experience of the house is focused as set out in Policy 21. [5.5.1] For example: The rooms in House 1 might be fitted out in the style of a 16th/17th-century merchant's house with appropriate furniture and objects. An exhibition could tell the history of the construction of Rothe House by John Rothe and the lifestyle that he and his family would have enjoyed. The exhibition might continue in House 3, expanding on the Rothe family and the oligarchy of families which influenced the growth of Kilkenny. This would lead into the story of Kilkenny from its earliest beginnings to the present day.
Policy 28: The Society (or the limited operating company) will seek to produce an Education Policy [5.5.7]. This could involve 'Life Long Learning' programmes for all ages which would offer the opportunity to increase awareness of, and widen access to, this nationally important house, gardens and its collections. In addition to lectures by current Society members, activities could be expanded and developed to include the following:

• In collaboration with the local authority, the creation of a schools' education programme covering historical topics and local study programmes
• Open days, walks and lectures, public and weekend events
• An Outreach Programme which visits schools and tells the story of Rothe House and its many different uses over the last 400 years
• A web page for Rothe House

6.8 POLICIES FOR MANAGEMENT AND FINANCES
Policies in this section seek to address the current deficiencies in the day-to-day running and financial management of Rothe House. A Business Plan will play an integral part in this process. These policies will also assess the future obligations of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society (and the limited operating company it intends to establish to operate Rothe House) in ensuring the health and safety of its staff and visitors. When these issues are resolved, a Management Plan (as described in Policy 3.1 below) should be commissioned ensuring accountability to protect public funding and investment. An appropriate management structure could then be put in place.
Policy 29: The Kilkenny Archaeological Society will take professional legal advice and appoint a Management Committee to carry out the long-term planning for Rothe House [5.6.1]. This committee should represent the major stakeholders and might consist of:

• 3 members of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society executive (duly elected by its council)
• The Property Manager
• 1 member nominated by the Heritage Council
• 1 member nominated by Kilkenny Corporation
• 1 member nominated by Kilkenny County Council 1 member nominated by the Civic Trust
• 1 member nominated by Duchas The Heritage Service
• 1 member nominated by the Chamber of Commerce
• Other members who may be co-opted

This committee may, depending upon detailed legal advice, serve as the Board of Directors of a limited company wholly owned by the Kilkenny Archaeological Society which will be responsible for the operating and management of Rothe House.
Policy 30: Kilkenny Archaeological Society needs to develop an alternative management structure which delegates the day-to-day management of Rothe House and provides the impetus for long-term development plans for the enhancement of Rothe House. The Society (and the limited operating company it intends to establish to operate Rothe House) will write a job specification and employ a Property Manager to manage Rothe House. The first duty of this post-holder would be to produce a Business Plan. He/She would oversee the management of the collections, visitors and visitor facilities, the shop, genealogy archives, library opening hours, maintenance of the structures and garden, marketing initiatives, and management of staff. [5.7.1]
Policy 31: The limited operating company that will assume responsibility for managing Rothe House will commission a Management Plan to include:

• A business plan
• A marketing strategy
• An education programme
• A health and safety plan
• A disaster recovery plan

Policy 32: Issues of fire safety should be addressed, including fire safety management, appropriate fire detection and prevention systems. The limited operating company that will assume responsibility for managing Rothe House will initiate a Disaster Recovery Plan for Rothe House and an inventory of collections, indicating prioritised items. This is necessary to ensure the safety of visitors, collections, and of Rothe House itself. [5.6.3]
Policy 33:The limited operating company that will assume responsibility for managing Rothe House will commission a Health and Safety Plan. This should encompass adequate first-aid training for staff, emergency exit signage, awareness and assessment of risks and hazards in the complex. [5.6.4]
Policy 34: Kilkenny Archaeological Society and the limited operating company that will assume responsibility for managing Rothe House will consider nuisance and security issues which may lead to the installation of CCTV or the use of stewards to ensure the security of the buildings, the safety of visitors, and the security of the collections. [5.6.4-5]

7. IMPLEMENTATION AND REVIEW
The completion of a Conservation Plan document is only the first step in a long-term process. The successful implementation of a Conservation Plan will depend on:

• The acceptance by major stakeholders of a common understanding of a Place, its significance, the points of vulnerability, and the range of policies set forth to mitigate the vulnerability
• Action by each stakeholder to support the Plan
• Appropriate allocation of resources by each stakeholder
• Co-ordination of implementation by the Directors of the limited company
• Periodic review of the Plan and the implementation process by Kilkenny Archaeological Society and the Directors of the limited company

7.1 ADOPTION OF THE CONSERVATION PLAN
The principles of the Conservation Plan must be adopted in their entirety. The methods by which the objectives are achieved may vary in detail from those discussed above, as the focus shifts from the team of external specialists brought in to achieve this first step, back to the stakeholder organisations. Each will have to consider the Plan and the ways in which they can act to encourage the outcomes desired for Rothe House and encapsulated in the Policies above.

7.2 COORDINATION, RESOURCES AND PRIORITIES
The key to achieving the goals of the Plan depends on the creation of the organisation/company which is charged with the responsibility of developing long-range, detailed development and management plans for the Rothe House site in accordance with the policies set out above. The stakeholder organisations should play a role in supporting the actions of this new organisation as represented by the Management Committee described in Policy 29.
In the short-term, the over-riding concern will be the generation of funding to pump-prime works to both the buildings and to the rear plot.
Once the Conservation Plan has been adopted, priorities must be established for the implementation of the many challenges facing the new organisation.

7.3 ACTIONS FOR 2003
During its preparation, this Conservation Plan identified a series of conservation/ investigative actions which should, if possible, be undertaken in the coming year, in tandem with the management actions required to create the operating company. These include:

• Conservation of the garden walls: some areas are showing considerable deterioration.
• Small-scale archaeological investigations into the potential survival of garden features below the OPW works yard.
• Immediate professional conservation advice regarding care, storage and display of the collections, particularly the costume and textile collections.

8. BIBLIOGRAPHY
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LINK TO:
Sections 1 & 2    Section 3    Sections 4 & 5