asked the Minister for Finance in view of the fact that the Office of Public Works are at present undertaking restoration work on the dormitory wing of the 15th century Vicars Choral Building on the Rock of Cashel and that major work on Cormac's Chapel is being mentioned which means that the chapel will be closed for some considerable time, and visitors to the rock will have little to see, if he will give (1) details of the plans (2) the scale and duration of the plan (3) the way in which it will affect visitors and (4) the cost of same; and if he will give the same details in respect of Ormonde Castle, Carrick-on-Suir, which is completely closed this year and the ruined Abbey Priory of Augustinian Cannons, Cahir, County Tipperary.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Monuments.
11.
I am pleased to have this opportunity to give an account of the large programme of work which the Office of Public Works are engaged in at the three national monuments mentioned by the Deputy. Taking each national monument in the order listed, the following is the information sought. First, I will deal with the Rock of Cashel and I will give separate details in respect of the major works programme at present in train, in the dormitory wing of the Vicars' Choral and in Cormac's Chapel.
The Dormitory Wing of the Vicars' Choral was formerly in a ruinous condition. It is being restored with a view to providing in it improved visitor facilities including an audio-visual show which will assist in the interpretation and appreciation of our national monuments. This year's work programme includes erecting the upper levels of the north wall, repairing cut stone windows, repairing masonry, erecting roof timbers, building blockwork for an office and sanitary facilities in the basement and providing access to the vault of the Vicar's Choral Hall. Next year, resources permitting, the roof will be completed, floors, stairs, windows and doors will be put in, electrical works and general fitting out will be done before the audio-visual equipment is installed. I am hopeful that the work will be finished at the end of 1989 and that the audio-visual facility will be in operation in 1990.
As this part of the national monument has not previously been accessible to the public, the work programme will not impose any additional viewing restrictions. On completion there will be an exciting new dimension to the Rock and improved visitor facilities.
The total cost is estimated at £220,000. In relation to Cormac's Chapel, works there this year will involve scaffolding, commencement of work on roof masonry, the continuation of conservation work on the wall paintings, the installation of monitoring and control equipment to guide future progress, and the lowering of the level of fill in the croft. The overall plan involves the completion of the conservation of the wall paintings, cleaning, repairing and conserving masonry, some replacement of stonework, repairing the arch of the south door, fitting doors and windows, laying a floor to the croft, and providing appropriate heating and lighting.
Due to the painstaking and specialised nature of the work the programme will take at least five years to complete.
During the next two years the chapel will not be closed to visitors except for occasional days, as the work requires. Later on, when interior stone cleaning is being done, it may be necessary to close the structure to the public for a short time.
It is estimated that the total cost will be in the region of £120,000.
I will now deal with Ormonde Castle, Carrick-on-Suir. A major programme of works has been in progress there since 1982. Aspects remaining to be completed include the repair of external plastering, pointing of walls, fitting of timber panelling in the library, major works in the Long Gallery, completion of the spiral staircase, various repairs to windows, doors, walls and fireplaces as well as presentation and exhibition work and the provision of staff and visitor facilities.
The current programme of works is expected to be completed at the end of 1989. Conservation work to the older 15th century portion of the castle will be required at a later date.
The works being done this year are of a nature incompatible with public access. As well as public safety considerations, a continuity of progress is essential where structural works are involved. It is hoped to re-open the castle to the public in summer 1989 even though works in some areas will still be in progress then. While I regret that this monument will not be open this year, I am confident that we will make good progress with the restoration works over the coming 12 months and that when the castle is re-opened in 1989 it will be a much greater attraction and a boon to the town of Carrick-on-Suir.
The estimated cost of the 1982-89 programme is £330,000.
Next I shall deal with Cahir Abbey, where the work being done this year involves the conservation of dangerous portions of one of the towers. The full programme of work at the site involves conservation of all walls, removal of infill to the tower arch, re-construction of the collapsed portions of another tower and presentation works. It would take approximately three years to complete this programme but only works required to make the structure safe are being done initially. The public can visit the site but the tower area is being closed off while work to secure it is in progress.
The cost of the work in 1988 is estimated at £26,000 and the total cost of the entire project is estimated at £100,000.
(Interruptions.)
Would the Minister mind repeating the reply? We did not catch it.
I appreciate the Minister of State's very detailed and comprehensive reply to a rather lengthy question. We are indeed fortunate in County Tipperary to have so many points of historical and architectural interest including Holy Cross Abbey. A great deal of concern has been expressed in Cashel about the closure of Cormac's Chapel, that the many visitors who would wish to see it would be prevented from doing so. I am glad to note from the Minister of State's answer that it will be closed for only rather a limited period. Again the closure of the castle in Carrick-on-Suir for a year and a half is causing a great deal of concern. The Minister might arrange that it be opened even at intervals to enable tourists who wish to avail of it and to view it to do so.
The Abbey Priory of Augustinian Canons in Cahir is a very historical old church founded in 1140. The people there fear that unless it is taken under the care of the Bord of Works immediately and restructuring work carried out it will fall into further disuse and further abuse.
However, I am pleased to learn from the Minister of State that the three areas mentioned are receiving immediate attention from his Department and I urge that the work be expedited so that the attractiveness to tourists will not be interfered with.
I am grateful to the Deputy for his comments and delighted to be of assistance. We regard the Rock of Cashel as a unique monument. The work being done at Ormonde Castle is fascinating and I would like to pay tribute to AnCO, now FÁS, for their great co-operation in that area. I have inspected the work. In deference to the Deputy's wishes I will see whether it is feasible to have that monument opened at some intervals.
We have encroached considerably on the time set aside for priority questions. However, there is only one question for us today, No. 44 in the name of Deputy Desmond, I do not observe the Deputy in the House.
It is a priority question.
Shall I read the reply?
Perhaps, Minister — yes.