Our team provided scaffold design for the refurbishment of Millbrook Hall in Abbeyleix, a heritage property undergoing significant restoration. For those interested in scaffold design in Ireland, this project required a fully freestanding access scaffold solution, along with complex temporary works to support safe access and weather protection throughout the build.
Due to the building’s sensitivity and planning restrictions, no physical ties into the structure were permitted. We designed a scaffold system in Ireland using a fully freestanding LAYHER access scaffold system around the hall, ensuring stability through carefully calculated buttressing and base arrangements. The scaffold also incorporated a full-height duopitch temporary roof, spanning the building to provide comprehensive weather protection during works to the original roof and stonework.
A key challenge was the proximity of a neighbouring coach house. The scaffold design had to safely bridge over this lower structure without transferring load directly onto it. We developed a series of heavy-duty support frames and beam arrangements to span the coach house without contact, ensuring no impact on the adjoining roof or structure. The scaffold design in Ireland must account for higher wind loads than scaffold design in London, especially given the freestanding nature, stability was extremely important. We worked closely with the contractor to coordinate ballast, foundation support, and sequencing to ensure safe erection and use.
This project is a strong example of scaffold design in Ireland that combines listed-building sensitivity with structural complexity. Our solution enabled safe access and programme continuity without compromising the historic fabric of Millbrook Hall or its surroundings.