After 10 years in the dark, Cobh Cathedral to be lit up again

AFTER nearly 10 years in the dark, the magnificent Cobh Cathedral is to be illuminated again — at a fraction of the previous cost.

One by one in the early 1990s, lights began to dim at the gothic landmark as flood-lighting alone cost €12,000 per year in electricity bills and the cost of replacing the salt-damaged fittings was exorbitant.

For 10 years previously, the flood-lighting had been sponsored by local businesses such as IFI but, following the closure of such companies, the Church could not afford to go it alone.

However, advances in LED technology means the future of St Colman’s is looking bright again, thanks to a huge community effort. This time around, the lighting will cost just €500, said Hendrick Verwey, of community group See You in Cobh.

“St Colman’s Cathedral is a stunning landmark building, the biggest attraction for tourists into Cobh. If it is lit at night, it is firmly believed that people will choose to view it at night and so might be encouraged to stay overnight, with obvious economic benefits to the town,” he said.

“The tourists will have to eat and spend the night somewhere and that’s good for local business.

“It is also felt that the project would further enhance the sense of place and pride in their town for the people of Cobh.”

Last summer, See You in Cobh and Cobh Tourism organised a series of concerts to raise €7,000 for the lighting. South & East Cork Area Development Ltd paid the remaining €21,000 out of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the National Development Plan.

Mr Verwey thanked Fr Michael Leamy, administrator of Cobh Parish, for his “foresight and co-operation” with the project. Fr Leamy had long wanted to flood light the cathedral again but was aware the parish “couldn’t fund it 100%”.

“Fr Leamy was vital to the project but also the seed capital for the project was raised by the people of Cobh through sustained community effort and this is a clear message that communities acting together can achieve great things,” Mr Verwey said.

A local contractor has been hired to undertake the work and it is hoped the Cathedral will be lit by St Patrick’s Day.