9 July 1997
The clock in the tower will 'tick' again
The imposing clock in the tower of Christ Church, Castlebar is shortly to get a new lease of life.
Plans are being drafted to get it 'ticking' again after years of being silent. It is part of the restoration drive by the twenty or so parishioners who are fund raising for the project. In all a total of £190,000 is required to meet all the structural demands at the 258-year old place of worship.
One of the most important tasks will be to get the clock working again,. According to Mr Derek Carson, secretary of the restoration project.
"If the clock is dead then the public assume activities in the Church are equally dormant, which is not the case.
"We plan to have it back in action as soon as possible. It will give new life to the building and show that we are an active community."
Clockmakers, John Smith & Son of Derby, who installed the original clock in 1905, say the timepiece has a quarter ting-tanh hour striking movement. It was now in poor condition and needed dismantling and cleaning.
Already Castlebar Urban Council have given £1,000 towards the repair of the clock. A fund raising committee comprising of local commercial and business interests has been formed to head the campaign to get the necessary cash to complete the job.
Included in the blueprint is the opening up of the Church for public use. Part of this will be to develop the tower as a tourist viewing attraction. This will involve extensive work in replacing floors and ceilings and erecting proper access to the tower.
Christ Church is one of the most striking and historic buildings in Castlebar. It is situated on a height of 147 feet above sea level at the very centre of the town directly across from the Post Office. For many years right up to the 19 th century the market place was held there and distance was also gauged from the Church.
Mr Carson added: "We believe by getting the clock working again will show that there is life within the Church.
"It is one of the many features in the restoration plans and our fund raising committee will be seeking the support of the general public in Castlebar to help them meet their financial target."
Donations to the fund can be made to account number 64036555 at the bank of Ireland, Castlebar.
