William Tracey & Sons (WTS), part of the Cronin Group, were appointed by the OPW Art Division to remove and relocate a large oil-on-canvas artwork from Dublin Castle to OPW storage facilities, supporting refurbishment works ahead of Ireland’s 2026 EU Presidency.
The piece consisted of three framed sections (1850mm x 3200mm), mounted three metres high. After a detailed risk assessment, the WTS Project Manager identified a mobile scaffold tower as the safest removal method.
Approved RAMS were issued to the Senior Art Collection Registrar before work commenced.
The WTS crew unloaded equipment and erected the mobile scaffold tower.
Two trained art-handling specialists lifted each canvas from its brackets and lowered them safely to the ground team.
A protective work area was prepared with heavy-duty polythene, and each section was individually wrapped in conservation-grade materials for safe handling and transport.
Each wrapped section was carefully carried down a flight of stairs to ground level and loaded onto a specialist vehicle.
The artwork was then transported securely to OPW’s designated storage facilities using best-practice fine art logistics procedures.
The relocation was completed ahead of schedule, without incident, and with zero damage, reinforcing WTS’s reputation for excellence in fine art handling, specialist removals, and secure transport for Ireland’s cultural institutions.
“WTS handled this complex removal with exceptional care and professionalism. Their planning, packing, and communication were excellent throughout. The artwork was relocated safely and ahead of schedule.”
— Senior Art Collection Registrar, Office of Public Works
When Calibro Office Space needed 11 heavy-duty safes relocated to a new first-floor office in Dublin 4 — on time and without a scratch — they turned to William Tracey & Son. These safes stored confidential financial documents, so failure was not an option.
We carried out detailed pre-move inspections, prepared RAMS and executed a carefully coordinated plan using:
Each safe was manoeuvred, lifted, transported, and positioned with zero incidents.
“William Tracey & Son made it look easy! We were expecting a long, difficult move, but they had everything under control from start to finish. Total professionals.” — Calibro Office Space
At William Tracey & Son, part of Cronin Group, we don’t just move weight — we move what matters most, with total control and care.
The National Museum of Ireland (NMI) are consolidating their collections in the Central Resource Centre (CRC), Co. Dublin. There is a large amount of Geology specimens stored in Dublin 4, a building which the NMI have been using for over 40 years as a storage and research centre.
William Tracey & Sons T/A Tracey’s were tasked with packing, moving and unpacking a large amount of geology specimens that are stored in bespoke wooden drawers specifically designed to fit onto shelving in Swords.
Colin Fox from Tracey’s met with NMI which resulted in the following first-phase plan implemented over two days:
Tracey’s commenced removing the drawers from the shelves packing them onto pallets and wrapping for transport which was completed by close of business that day. The next day Tracey’s crew arrived in D4, loaded the twelve pallets and proceeded to the CRC, Co. Dublin.
Tracey’s arrived at the CRC and were met by the NMI, Documentation Team. The geology collection was unloaded under supervision and brought into the Geology cage where Tracey’s crew unpacked the drawers from the pallets, removed the packing material and placed them onto shelving as directed by NMI personnel. All of the unpacking was completed the same day and the empty pallets and packing materials returned to D4 the following morning.
In late November 2023, a large telecommunications company, vacated a 2,322sqm space spanning three floors due to consolidation efforts in other group buildings.
The task assigned to Tracey’s involved removing and recycling approximately 310 desks, dividers, chairs, pedestals, and 36 storage units.
Additionally, Tracey’s was entrusted with shredding confidential wastepaper, recycling WEEE waste, eliminating manifestation and internal signage, removing external signage, painting car parking spaces, clearing loose debris, and conducting a deep clean of carpets, with a completion deadline of January 31st, 2024.
All tasks were successfully completed in just thirteen working days, and Tracey’s vacated the building on January 26th.
A site visit on January 31st, involving Tracey’s Project Manager, the telecommunications Property Manager, their Project Manager, and the building’s landlord, resulted in commendation for Tracey’s.
Subsequently, the landlord engaged Tracey’s for additional clearance projects within the building.
The Office of Public Works, Art Management division invited William Tracey & Sons to tender for the removal and packing of Artwork from a building on Adelaide Road, Dublin 2. The building is currently occupied by the Department of Environment, Climate & Communications who will be vacating the premises in May 2024. The Artwork consisting of five individual pieces is on display in the atrium six metres overhead, suspended by steel cables from the 5th floor. Following a detailed survey by Project Manager Colin Fox and submission of our tender documents, WTS were awarded the contract.
All tasks were successfully completed in one day, both the client and building manager were delighted with how smoothly and efficiently the whole process went. Follow up comments from the clients were well received at WTS:
Colin,
Thank you to you and your team for a seamless removal of a difficult artwork last Friday. It could not have gone any better.
Best wishes,
Louise
Colin,
Thanks for the great job as Louise has said – that was a bit of an awkward one!
Claire
In May 2024, the Irish Heritage Trust enlisted William Tracey & Sons (WTS) to relocate antique furniture from a historic Dublin 1 building to Johnstown Castle in County Wexford.
The Dublin 1 building, dating back to 1753, was once the headquarters of the Dublin County Council.
The task included moving several large antique pieces, including a conference table that had to be fully dismantled for removal.
WTS crew arrived onsite, carefully dismantled the large conference table, and relocated all furniture from the first floor to the ground floor for loading preparation.
WTS crew arrived with two trucks, wrapped the furniture, and began the loading process for transport to Wexford.
Early morning at Johnstown Castle, the WTS crew unloaded the furniture. Most pieces were moved to the first floor, while some large, non-dismantlable pieces remained on the ground floor.
All tasks were successfully completed in one day, both the client and building manager were delighted with how smoothly and efficiently the whole process went. Follow up comments from the clients were well received at WTS:
All tasks were successfully completed, leaving the client and the Johnstown Castle manager delighted with the smooth and efficient process.
Positive feedback was received and well-appreciated at WTS:
“Hi Colin, Matt was very complimentary about your guys, well done and please pass it on.”
Trust William Tracey & Sons for your next complex relocation project.
Our expert team ensures every piece is handled with the utmost care and professionalism.
In the evolving landscape of corporate and cultural relocation, the acquisition of William Tracey & Sons by Dublin-based Cronin Group marks a significant chapter in the evolution of specialised logistics and moving services. The deal, finalised on May 16th last year, signifies not only a strategic alignment of two industry leaders but a commitment to fostering innovation, enhancing customer experiences, and propelling the relocation industry in Dublin and Ireland into a new era of excellence.
The acquisition of William Tracey and Sons by the Cronin Group Limited in May 2022 resulted in a seamless integration for both companies and staff, offering an enhanced service to the firm’s clients in both the public and the private sectors.
This is particularly true in relation to public sector clients where William Tracey and Sons already enjoyed a well-earned reputation for reliability, service and delivery and where the economies of scale within the expanded group have enhanced this reputation.
Three 15th-century medieval bronze bells, once housed in the bellcote of St Mary’s Abbey Church, Howth, were donated to The National Museum of Ireland by the Gaisford St Lawrence family. These historically significant bells, bearing Gothic inscriptions, played a key role in Howth’s maritime and religious heritage for centuries.
William Tracey & Sons (WTS) were entrusted with safely moving the bells from Howth Castle to the National Museum’s Conservation Stores, where they would undergo extensive conservation. Due to their age and metal fatigue, this move required specialised lifting equipment to prevent damage. Once conservation was complete, WTS was further engaged to relocate and install the bells on a 1.2-tonne concrete plinth at the National Museum in Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Safe Removal & Transport – The WTS team carefully crane-lifted the fragile bells using bespoke lifting plates to minimise stress on the metal. They were then transported to the National Museum Conservation Stores for restoration.
Plinth Installation – After conservation, WTS was also tasked with transporting and installing a custom solid concrete plinth (1.2 tonnes), sourced from OPW Collins Barracks, and placing it in the Rotunda of the National Museum.
Final Bell Installation – On January 21, 2025, under the supervision of the Office of Public Works and National Museum Project Director Sharon Weadick, the WTS team used a three-tonne gantry, chain blocks, and specialist lifting gear to carefully position the bells onto the plinth.
The entire project was completed seamlessly and on schedule, over two days.
The bells are now securely in place and on public display at the National Museum, preserving Howth’s rich cultural and maritime history for generations to come.
The move was executed without incident or damage, reinforcing WTS’s expertise in specialist heritage and artefact relocation.
At William Tracey & Sons, we take pride in our ability to handle historical artefacts with the precision, care, and expertise they deserve.
The Task William Tracey & Sons (WTS), part of the Cronin Group, were appointed by the OPW Art Division to remove and relocate a large oil-on-canvas artwork from Dublin Castle to OPW storage facilities, supporting refurbishment works ahead of Ireland’s 2026 EU Presidency. The piece consisted of three framed sections […]
Expert Artwork Relocation Read More »
Secure. Precise. On Time. When Calibro Office Space needed 11 heavy-duty safes relocated to a new first-floor office in Dublin 4 — on time and without a scratch — they turned to William Tracey & Son. These safes stored confidential financial documents, so failure was not an option. The Challenge
Eleven Safes. One Shot. No Mistakes. Read More »
The task The National Museum of Ireland (NMI) are consolidating their collections in the Central Resource Centre (CRC), Co. Dublin. There is a large amount of Geology specimens stored in Dublin 4, a building which the NMI have been using for over 40 years as a storage and research centre.
National Museum Project by William Tracey & Sons, part of Cronin Group Read More »
The Task: In late November 2023, a large telecommunications company, vacated a 2,322sqm space spanning three floors due to consolidation efforts in other group buildings. The task assigned to Tracey’s involved removing and recycling approximately 310 desks, dividers, chairs, pedestals, and 36 storage units. Additionally, Tracey’s was entrusted with shredding
Streamlined Office Clearance Project by William Tracey & Sons Read More »
The Task: The Office of Public Works, Art Management division invited William Tracey & Sons to tender for the removal and packing of Artwork from a building on Adelaide Road, Dublin 2. The building is currently occupied by the Department of Environment, Climate & Communications who will be vacating the
Art Removal Project by William Tracey & Sons Read More »
The Task: In May 2024, the Irish Heritage Trust enlisted William Tracey & Sons (WTS) to relocate antique furniture from a historic Dublin 1 building to Johnstown Castle in County Wexford. The Dublin 1 building, dating back to 1753, was once the headquarters of the Dublin County Council. The task
Antique Relocation Success: William Tracey & Sons’ Expert Move Read More »
In the evolving landscape of corporate and cultural relocation, the acquisition of William Tracey & Sons by Dublin-based Cronin Group marks a significant chapter in the evolution of specialised logistics and moving services. The deal, finalised on May 16th last year, signifies not only a strategic alignment of two industry
A Transformative Partnership Reshaping the Landscape of Cultural Relocation Read More »
The acquisition of William Tracey and Sons by the Cronin Group Limited in May 2022 resulted in a seamless integration for both companies and staff, offering an enhanced service to the firm’s clients in both the public and the private sectors. This is particularly true in relation to public sector
The Task Three 15th-century medieval bronze bells, once housed in the bellcote of St Mary’s Abbey Church, Howth, were donated to The National Museum of Ireland by the Gaisford St Lawrence family. These historically significant bells, bearing Gothic inscriptions, played a key role in Howth’s maritime and religious heritage for
Safe Relocation & Installation of Historic Howth Abbey Bells Read More »
