Robinson Bros home being renovated
A HOPE that the former Robinson Brothers’ workshop in Milltown would be renovated and preserved is unlikely to be realised after both the owner and the man developing the house told the Celt neither plan to undertake the project.
A Milltown resident had contacted The Anglo-Celt to express excitement that work on the Robinsons’ house was almost complete, and with thatm, shared hope that the workshops at the side of the old house would be renovated.
It was hoped the sheds would be preserved for future generations and even opened to the public some day.
The Robinson brothers - Charlie, Michael and Tom Joe - were highly-skilled craftsmen in many disciplines including joinery, marquetry, cabinet-making, French polishing, tool making and repairs of all kinds of equipment.
Their unique way of life and craftsmanship was famously captured in a three-part documentary by RTÉ’s ‘Hands’ TV series in 1980.
To help the Robinsons in their intricate and specialist work, the brothers acquired a great many machines and tools, some of which they made themselves for specific tasks or modified for their own use.
By the time of their deaths in 2008 and 2010, the brothers’ workshop was a cluttered treasure trove of hand tools, jigs and woodcuts.
The house and workshop were left to the Robinsons’ nephew, Thomas Small, who worked with his three uncles “really from childhood” and “formally” for the last 15 years of their lives.
Different path
Thomas pursued an entirely different path midlife when he was ordained as a priest in 2020. He is now serving in the parish of Kilmainhamwood and Moybologue in Co Meath.
Today, the Robinsons’ home is being renovated by property developer and Fr Tom’s relative, Alan Brown from Belturbet, but he told the Celt he has no plans to do the same with the workshop.
It’s understood, as Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, people who had an interest in the Robinsons and their work were let remove some items.
A spokesperson for Drumlane History and Heritage Group lamented the loss of the local memorabilia, saying the group would’ve liked to preserve the pieces but, at the time, had nowhere to store them.
When the Celt contacted Fr Small he said his “new profession” meant he was unlikely to take on the significant renovation work required at his beloved uncles’ workshop.
“It saddens me in a way, but if anyone is doing it, it would be my cousin,” Fr Tom said.
However, while Mr Brown confirmed the house and sheds were “left to my cousin”, he told the Celt his renovation of the Robinsons’ house was a “hobby” project and he did not plan to restore the workshop.