07-08-2025
Meet the Cork woman often found on the roofs of historic buildings to preserve Waterford's heritage
At an age when other children were playing hopscotch, Rose Ryall was busy gatecrashing tour groups in a bid to learn more about her city's historic buildings.
While amused by her antics, nobody could have anticipated that this spirited 11-year-old would grow up to be Waterford City and County Council's executive architectural conservation officer. Born and bred in Cork City, Ms Ryall's role now involves the protection, promotion and conservation of historic buildings across county Waterford.
'When I was 11 on Saturday mornings there were people walking around doing tours of buildings in Cork. It might have been with An Taisce but I can't quite remember. I was such a nerd that my mother left me downtown with a group of complete strangers walking around the buildings of Cork.
"It was strange but it didn't stop there.
While on holidays I would drag my parents across fields to look at castles. The tours in particular piqued my interest in buildings. It wasn't just about their aesthetics. I was interested in the history of the buildings and the people behind them.
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"I often thought about the wealth of those who built them and the skills of those who worked on them. Buildings are not just bricks and mortar. There is also the cultural and sociological aspect to them. They tell stories which is what makes my job so interesting.'
A self-confessed tomboy in her youth, Rose now enjoys climbing scaffolding instead of trees.
'It's a very hands-on job. Some people have this misconception that it's an admin job and that I spend my days pushing around papers for grants. The truth is I could be doing anything from meeting local councillors to climbing up scaffolding. I might be up on a roof or re-rendering chimneys or doing parapets.'
And in Waterford, Rose has an impressive portfolio to care for.
'We are currently working on the city hall in Waterford and the Bishop's Palace, which is a museum housed in an 18th-century Georgian building. One thing I'll usually observe in historical buildings is the high-quality workmanship.
"In Curraghmore House in Waterford you'll see the beautiful plasterwork on the ceiling which was done 250 years ago.
In that same house I met a roofer who was working with slates that were around 200 years old. They were hanging by a tiny oak peg about the size of your small finger. Because of the quality of the materials and the quality of workmanship they are still going.
"Some people think that in homes like this a PVC window is a good fix. However, their lifespan is generally only between 20 and 25 years. My house was built in 1860 and the windows are still there, albeit in need of a lick of paint. This comes down to the quality of materials that were used.'
And she offers advice to anyone interested in entering the industry.
'I saw the role advertised 20 years ago and immediately knew it was something I wanted to do. I completed a masters in urban building conservation but there are a variety of backgrounds that people in my field come from. Some have backgrounds in archaeology, whereas others have qualifications in architecture or art history."
Rose said her job brings her in contact with people from all walks of life, from lords and ladies to farmers.
'There is such a mix of people but no matter if you are meeting lords, ladies or farmers it's always a privilege for someone to invite you into their home. For some, these houses have been in the family for 800 years. Granted these are historical or protected properties but they are also people's homes.
Executive architectural conservation officer for Waterford City and County Rose Ryall is working on the Bishop's Palace in Waterford. Picture: Dan Linehan
"Home owners are surprisingly open when they realise we are here to help. Many are so welcoming. Sometimes they'll give you a bucket of plums or apples going away which is always nice.'
She outlined the challenges in conserving and preserving building as tastes and lifestyles change.
'Churches now have dwindling congregations. This is a big issue because you are thinking about what you are going to do with these buildings in the long term. The important thing is to find ways to make them more comfortable and warmer for smaller groups.'
She stressed that historic buildings must also be functional.
'This is not about keeping museum pieces, it's about living and working in these buildings and around these structures.'
Rose is also keen to raise awareness, as well as educate people, about listed buildings.
'People think if they put in double-glazed PVC windows then that's the end of their heating problems but not necessarily. In reality it all depends on the building. It can sometimes cause problems when you seal a building too much.
"There are grants available for the repair of historic buildings and there are other means to conserve energy. In some cases it may be that the roof needs insulating. When it comes to historic homes or buildings, the less intervention the better.
"Modern techniques to older buildings don't always work. On the contrary, they can sometimes cause trouble. I've been out at a few buildings with problems and it was the use of cement rather than lime mortar that was causing issues with dampness. You can't heat a damp house. Sometimes the way to fix it can be very simple.'
