Kells Cross off-limits for up to eight weeks

Repairs to the protective structure around the Cross of Kells, which will keep it hidden from view for much of the summer, will take a minimum of six to eight weeks to complete, Kells Town Council has revealed this week. Kells Town Councillors expressed concern about the impact on tourism to the town of having the monument covered up for so long and discussed the issue at its recent June monthly meeting. The council confirmed this week that consultants working on its behalf have advised that the works required will take up to eight weeks. "On this basis, and taking on board the concerns raised by the members at the June Town Council meeting, we will be carrying out a phased approach to the works," said Kells town clerk Jarlath Flanagan. Phase one commenced yesterday (Tuesday) and will involve removing the existing damaged glass panels. Upon completion of this, the temporary protective cover around the cross, scaffolding and pedestrian fencing will be removed. These are interim measures to address tourism and safety concerns until the permanent and final works can commence, said the town clerk. The protective measures around the cross will have to be reinstated for phase two, which will involve repairs/strengthening to the stainless steel frame and replacement of the glass canopy. It means the historic Market Cross is likely to remain out of public view for much of the summer months as work on the glass covering starts. While concern has been expressed locally that the cross, a major tourist attraction, is currently covered up, the town council has stressed it is imperative that all appropriate procedures to ensure the safety of the cross are undertaken. Mr Flanagan said it was necessary to replace some of the existing glass panels within the canopy covering the cross and council members had provided funds towards these works in the 2010 budget. He explained that, when scaffolding was erected to replace the panels, closer examination of the stainless steel canopy revealed other structural issues that required attention. He said this required specialised works and consultation and advice from a specialist contractor. He said the council regretted that the cross was not currently available for public viewing but it was essential that work to protect it was undertaken. The former Kells Town Council cathaoirleach, Cllr Brian Curran, said he was disappointed that the cross was unavailable for public viewing. Cllr Curran said that visitors from the US, Austria, Canada and France had arrived in the town in recent weeks but they weren't able to see the cross. The Market Cross is a ninth century high cross that was originally located at the gate of the Kells Monastery in the centre of the town. It was removed from the town centre in the mid-1990s following a traffic accident and relocated to an area in front of the Kells Heritage Centre.