Youghal Town Council has signed a contract with Cobh-based Cornerstone Construction Ltd. to restore the collapsed section of the town walls near Raheen Park. Town Clerk Liam Ryan says the work will commence immediately and “should be completed within two months.”  The company has extensive experience in the area of heritage restoration, including the Crawford Observatory, UCC, Dunboy Castle Hotel, Castletownbere, Castle Hyde House Fermoy (Flatley’s flat!) and Carrig House, Cobh, for which it received an Architectural Excellence Award from Cobh Chamber of Commerce. Report: Christy Parker   Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

The Department of the Environment is effectively funding the project through €120,000 grant aid to Youghal Walled Town’s Network via Heritage Council. The sum will also finance studies into the state and requirements of the town walls generally, which will be undertaken by Absolute Precision Surveying, Glanmire.

The wall initially collapsed in early 2008, followed by further deterioration in recent months. “The second fall was actually a blessing,” says Mr, Ryan, ‘as it removed a bridge over the original collapse that would have proved very difficult and more expensive to negotiate.”

Quayside restoration also commences.

The council has also entered contract for restoration work at the Pier Head and Greens Quay. The project will address the problem of water infiltrating the structures. “They are not actually dangerous at present but could become so unless treated,” says the Town Clerk. The work is being financed by €400,000 from the Department of Transport –a considerable acquirement in these belt-fastening days.
The project, being undertaken by L &M Keating Ltd., Co Clare and is scheduled to begin in the first week of September. It will also include road re-surfacing at Greens Quay. Thank God!