What Shaffrey Architects does

Shaffrey Architects is an Irish architectural practice offering full-service design, conservation, restoration, and adaptive-reuse services. Its portfolio is concentrated on heritage, ecclesiastical, civic, and cultural buildings, with selective private residential work inside Architectural Conservation Areas. Notable commissions include the Wicklow Head Lighthouse restoration (1997), Ardfert Cathedral multi-phase conservation for the Office of Public Works, Lismore Courthouse for Waterford City Council, the Parnell Square Cultural Quarter for Dublin City Council (in collaboration with Grafton Architects), Johnston Central Library for Cavan County Council, the Dún Laoghaire East Pier resurfacing, and the Mount Temple residential densification project. The firm is also active in urban-regeneration planning via the Castleblayney Regeneration Framework Plan and in cultural-diplomatic facilities via the Goethe-Institut Ireland project.

The firm's core technical capability is conservation philosophy rooted in the practice of founder Maura Shaffrey, which balances retention of historic fabric, form, and scale with sympathetic integration of contemporary facilities, accessibility standards, and sustainability requirements. Its portfolio evidences deep familiarity with protected structures, National Monuments, ecclesiastical buildings, and multi-period fabric handling. The firm has been repeatedly recognised by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, including the RIAI Silver Medal for Restoration and Conservation (1999-2001), Best Cultural Building (2011), and Best Housing (2015), as well as accessibility recognition for Johnston Central Library from the National Disability Authority (2006).

The business operates as a project-based consultancy with quote-based, individually negotiated fees and no publicly disclosed pricing. Distribution is direct: competitive tendering for public-sector commissions and direct engagement for private clients. Its customer base is dominated by Irish state bodies — local authorities, the Office of Public Works, harbour companies — alongside heritage trusts such as the Irish Landmark Trust and a small number of private residential clients. The firm markets primarily through project reputation, professional networks, and industry awards rather than outbound channels.

Name

Shaffrey Architects

Website

https://shaffreyarchitects.ie

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Shaffrey Architects is an Irish architectural practice specialising in conservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse of heritage, civic, and cultural buildings, serving primarily Irish public-sector clients and heritage trusts such as the Office of Public Works, Irish Landmark Trust, and local authorities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Architectural Services (54131), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Preservation & Conservation Planning (BPAHAKAH)

Keywords

• Heritage conservation architecture
• Building restoration services
• Adaptive reuse design
• Civic building architecture
• Historic structure conservation

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Core offering

Shaffrey Architects is a full-service Irish architectural practice providing design, conservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse services across heritage, civic, cultural, ecclesiastical, and residential building types. The firm specializes in the sensitive treatment of protected structures, National Monuments, and conservation areas, integrating contemporary functional requirements while preserving historic fabric, form and scale.

Product overview

Shaffrey Architects is an Irish architectural practice offering full-service architectural design, conservation, and restoration services. The firm specializes in heritage buildings, civic projects, cultural facilities, and residential developments. Their portfolio includes specific named projects such as the Wicklow Head Lighthouse Restoration, Lismore Courthouse, Ardfert Cathedral Conservation, Parnell Square Cultural Quarter, Johnston Central Library, East Pier Dún Laoghaire, UnBuilding gallery intervention, and Mount Temple residential development. The practice works across various building types including protected structures, national monuments, and new constructions, with expertise in conservation architecture and sustainable design.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Design Services
• Heritage Conservation and Restoration Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Awarded RIAI Silver Medal for Restoration and Conservation 1999-2001 for Ardfert Cathedral
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Grafton ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShaffrey Architects in collaboration with Grafton Architects serve as Design Team Lead/Architect and Conservation Architects for the Parnell Square Cultural Quarter project in Dublin.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Feilden Fowles: Younger UK practice with Stirling Prize recognition for cultural and heritage-adjacent work. Comparable on award-driven positioning and conservation-sensitive design approach, though smaller heritage footprint than Shaffrey.

Direct peers

• Grafton Architects: Dublin-based architecture practice (Pritzker Prize 2020) and direct collaborator with Shaffrey on the Parnell Square Cultural Quarter. Comparable Irish architectural firm with strong civic, cultural, and heritage portfolios and overlapping public-sector client base.
• Purcell Architecture: UK heritage-led architectural practice (Auckland Castle, Palace of Westminster, numerous cathedrals). Closely comparable in conservation and ecclesiastical expertise, and a leading competitor for any cross-border or UK heritage commissions Shaffrey might pursue.
• Donald Insall Associates: Long-established UK heritage and conservation practice with similar focus on listed buildings, cathedrals, and historic civic properties. Comparable on regulatory expertise and ecclesiastical/restoration portfolio.
• Bucholz McEvoy Architects: Irish practice with public-sector, conservation, and education portfolio. Comparable in Dublin/Ireland geographic focus, public client base, and conservation-led design philosophy.
• O'Donnell + Tuomey: Dublin-based award-winning practice with comparable cultural, civic, and education portfolio (e.g., V&A Exhibition Road Quarter, LSE). Operates in the same Irish market with overlapping public-sector clients and similar design-led positioning.
• McCullough Mulvin Architects: Irish practice with deep heritage-conservation and adaptive-reuse credentials (e.g., Kilkenny Civic Offices, Christ Church Cathedral). Comparable in scale, Irish geography, conservation philosophy, and civic/public client focus to Shaffrey.
• Scott Tallon Walker Architects: One of Ireland's largest architectural practices, with heritage, healthcare, civic, and workplace work. Comparable Irish competitor on public tenders and a broader incumbent spanning conservation and new build.

Broad incumbents

• David Chipperfield Architects: Global practice renowned for museum and heritage restoration (Neues Museum Berlin, Royal Academy refurbishment). Comparable conservation philosophy and award trajectory; broader incumbent operating at significantly larger scale than Shaffrey.

Regional players

• ABK Architects: Dublin-based architecture practice with civic, conservation, and residential work including protected structures. Comparable in Irish regional market and conservation scope, though with broader commercial portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shaffrey-architects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shaffrey Architects