asked the Minister for Finance whether there was a functioning lightning conductor on the Round Tower at Cashel, County Tipperary, on 17th January last; if not, why, and if so, why the conductor failed to prevent damage to the tower.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lightning Damage to Cashel Tower.
7.
Mr. Ryan
There was no conductor on the Round Tower at Cashel. For a lightning conductor to be efficient it is essential to provide a low resistance connection to earth. This presents difficulties on the rocky site at Cashel. An inefficient conductor would increase rather than decrease the hazard.
The question of installing a conductor at Cashel is being investigated in connection with the repair works at present in hands.
Mr. Ryan
Would the Parliamentary Secretary have similar inquiries made in relation to other round towers, lest there be a repetition of the unfortunate accident at Cashel?
It is not established that it was struck by lightning at all, but, apart from that, there are 39 round towers in State care and 16 of these have lightning conductors.