A historically significant stained glass window aged over 100 years old has been unveiled at a castle in Wexford following a lengthy and elaborate restoration project.
The window is housed at Johnstown Castle, having been originally kept at a church linked to the castle's estate.
It fell victim to vandalism in the mid-1980s and was "rescued" by Dr Austin O'Sullivan of the nearby Irish Agricultural Museum in 1985, preventing further damage.
The window's panels and fragments were stored at the Irish Agricultural Museum until 2023 when restoration work got under way, thanks to grant support from the Heritage Council through its Community Heritage Grant Scheme, to the Irish Heritage Trust which manages Johnstown Castle.
Stained-glass window conservator Colette Langan, of Irish Stained Glass, carried out the restoration work at her studio in Co Leitrim, in collaboration with general manager at Johnstown Castle, Estate, Museum and Gardens, Matt Wheeler.
The window itself depicts a scene from the resurrection of Christ and was housed for years at Rathaspeck Church of Ireland church.
"Embarking on the restoration of the magnificent windows was both a privilege and a formidable task," Colette Langan said.
She added: "Unravelling the mystery of the missing elements in these previously vandalised windows proved to be quite an enigma. Through diligent research and collaborative efforts, we not only deciphered what the original quotation was, we also meticulously restored other significantly damaged areas, liberating this timeless masterpiece from its storage crate."
The restored window is gracing the wall of the Flag Hall of the Castle - formerly known as the Grand Staircase Hall - where it is backlit and can be admired as part of the daily guided tours of the castle, allowing visitors to connect with its history.
The window was built by renowned stained glass manufacturing company Earley & Co of Camden Street in Dublin, to commemorate Gerald FitzGerald, the only son of Lord and Lady Maurice FitzGerald of Johnstown Castle, and Desmond Otho Paget, a cousin of the FitzGerald family.
Gerald, serving with the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, fell in battle in France on 13 September 1914, aged 28.
Desmond, serving with the King's Royal Rifle Corps, died in March 1918, aged just 18.
Mr Wheeler said: "It has been a fascinating project to work on, and we are very grateful to the Heritage Council for backing it and helping to bring this important memorial back to life for all to appreciate.
"This remarkable restoration project has breathed new life into a significant piece of Johnstown Castle’s history, bringing it back to its former glory. This truly is a resurrection project."
