End finally in sight for Asgard restoration saga
Work is to begin later this year on the vessel, which Erskine Childers used to run guns for the Irish Volunteers in 1914, with a view to it being completed and ready for exhibition by 2009. That will be more than 10 years after restoration was first suggested.
In the late 1990s, the Asgard Restoration Project (ARP) applied for a licence to restore the boat, which was owned by the Defence Minister and had been in Kilmainham Jail since 1979. The ARP planned on refitting it for sailing. Critics argued that it should be in a museum rather than be made a seagoing vessel.
Then Culture Minister Síle de Valera believed the latter was preferable, and in December 1999 the Cabinet approved a licence for the ARP to remove the boat from Kilmainham and carry out the restoration.
The ARP envisaged the project taking no more than two-and-a-half years.
However, while the Defence Minister had committed to providing half the estimated £800,000 cost of the project, the ARP was having difficulties raising the remainder.
In 2001, the ARP was criticised by the National Museum for housing the boat in “unacceptable” conditions. The Government subsequently withdrew the funding commitment and placed the boat in the care of the National Museum.
Arts Minister John O’Donoghue recently confirmed that work was scheduled to begin on its restoration later this year. He said it was intended to have the Asgard “on public exhibition from 2009 onwards”.
A group comprising representatives of the National Museum, the Office of Public Works and Mr O’Donoghue’s department will oversee the estimated €1 million project.
