Shandon clock repairs expected to cost €400k, council meeting hears

Cork’s four-faced liar is not likely to tell the truth anytime soon, with repairs to the historic Shandon clock expected to cost in the region of €400,000 and will be dependent on Government funding, tonight's meeting of Cork City Council heard.

For almost a year now, three of the four faces on the 253-year-old St Anne’s Shandon clock tower have been telling the wrong time, while its east face is stopped.

The clock mechanism, which was installed in 1847 by the then Cork Corporation, is the responsibility of Cork City Council, and for many years it was maintained by Philip Stokes of Stokes Clocks and Watches on MacCurtain St.

Last month, Mr Stokes said he had “stepped away from” the maintenance of the clock mechanism, due to serious safety concerns.

Last night, the February meeting of Cork City Council was told costs of repairs to the Shandon clock are estimated to be in the region of €400,000, with final costs to be determined before any works commence.

Responding to a question from Sinn Féin councillor Kenneth Collins, the council’s director of services for planning and integrated development, Niall Ó Donnabháin, said the works would necessitate “several specialists in conservation, horology and structural repair”.

Mr Ó Donnabháin said the council is in the process of applying for funding under the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage Historic Structures Fund to contribute towards the repair costs.

“The timeline for these works is dependent on the outcome of the funding application, however Cork City Council is committed to carrying out the required repair works to this historically important landmark,” Mr Ó Donnabháin said.

Mr Collins asked when the clock had last been serviced, and Mr Ó Donnabháin gave a commitment to come back to Mr Collins with that information.

Mr Collins also asked what the council intended to do if it was not successful in securing funding for the repairs from central Government, and where the necessary funding might come from instead.

“The people of Cork would actually hold a GoFundMe and concerts, much like they did last time, and would Cork City Council willingly take that funding?” Mr Collins asked.

Mr Ó Donnabháin replied that the council had made “a commitment in the context of this landmark to ensure that the clock is protected for longevity, and that’s our purpose and focus”.