Restoration works commence on Laois church
A church restoration specialist will carry out works on the Church of the Holy Trinity in Durrow
Restoration works commence today to rectify ‘significant structural problems’ in the tower of Holy Trinity Church in Durrow.
Wooden louvres (slanted beams) on all four sides of the tower are rotting, presenting a significant health and safety risk.
Fr Martin Delaney highlighted the urgency of the louvres’ restoration, saying: “They’re rotting, and they’re encased in steel, and one of them already fell off. It would be dangerous – they had to be addressed.”
The tower was examined during the summer and major issues with the pointing of stonework were also identified.
A company from Dundalk specialising in church restoration is scheduled to begin restoring the tower today. The works will take approximately four to six weeks.
Instead of erecting scaffolding, a specialised crane will be used to access the louvres.
The front of the church and the tower will become a building site for the duration of the works. The doors across the front of the church will therefore remain locked and entry to the church will be through the side aisle doors only.
Together with works to repair the lightning conductors on the church earlier in the year, the restoration will cost approximately €90,000.
Fr Delaney acknowledged the inconvenience the works will present and asked for parishioners’ consideration and cooperation.