This interim project team bulletin provides some key updates between Project Newsletters.
Planning Permission for the New Organ and removal of the existing Organ.
We are delighted to report that Galway City Council have made a decision to grant planning permission for the application made in 2025 for the removal of the existing organ and the placement of the new organ in the North Transept.
Temporary Organ
Further to the generous support for the purchase and restoration of the 1879 Hill organ, an essential measure to protect the continuance of our music and choirs at St. Nicholas, the contract has been placed with Padraig O’Donovan,and restoration work will commence after Easter with a view to its installation in Late Summer/Early Autumn.
Heating
The damaged chimney flue in the wall of the South transept has prevented the safe use of the boiler to heat the church radiators. Replacement of the flue liner was scheduled for the first week of January, however, removal of the concrete plaster from the South Transept walls as part of the CMF works revealed a large repair infill to the wall of the chimney carried out before the wall was plastered in the 1950s. This repair brought into question the integrity of the entire wall, and an inspection and report from our structural engineer was undertaken. This report received at the end of February concluded that the wall would not be impacted by the repair works and that the contractor could proceed in organising the necessary equipment to access the chimney and remove the damaged flue liner. The replacement of this liner commenced on the 9th March and was completed on th 18th with the successful restart of the existing boiler. This has allowed the
church to be heated once again using our own system without the risk of dangerous fumes entering the church.
The Very Rev. Lynda Peilow on behalf of the Project Team