Written Answers. - Rock of Cashel Restoration Work.
Theresa Ahearn
Ceist:
38
Mrs. T. Ahearn
asked the
Minister for Finance
the proposed works to be carried out by the Office of Public Works on the Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary; the timescale for these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Office of Public Works has been working on the restoration of Cormac's Chapel at the Rock of Cashel for a number of years.
The work involves conservation of the wall paintings, the cleaning, repairing and conserving of masonry, some replacement of stonework, repairing the arch of the south door, fitting doors and windows, laying a floor to the croft, and the provision of appropriate heating and lighting. The programme also includes a major archaeological excavation which will be undertaken later this year.
The timescale for the completion of the works is determined to a great extent by the conservation work on the paintings. Experts engaged by the Office of Public Works have advised that in the interest of protecting the wall paintings, the work should be spread over a long period of years so as to alter the levels on a gradual basis.
The time taken on any particular part of the paintings depends on the condition of that section, which only emerges as work proceeds.
In the circumstances, the current phase of conservation works at Cormac's Chapel will take at least four years to complete. When the work has been completed a subsequent monitoring and maintenance programme will be set up.
Once Cormac's Chapel has been restored, it is proposed to begin a major programme of conservation works to the cathedral, which will take a number of years. The works here will include masonry and plasterwork conservation, and restoration of the roof of one of the chapels of the north transept to shelter the box tombs.
