Millenium Arch rises again two years on from Darwin

NEARLY two-and-a-half years after it collapsed in the maw of Storm Darwin and the famous Millenium Arch is finally on the point of rising from the wreckage of that destructive day.

It’s expected the scaffolding will be taken down this week as the replacement arch is unveiled. The top of the stone structure came crashing down in Darwin, such was the destructive force of the storm on February 12 of 2014.

Meanwhile, Kerry County Council are to press on fast with plans to completely redesign the area immediately adjacent to the archway - starting with the demolition of the old Neodata pre-fab building.

“It’s a very welcome sight to see the arch taking shape again and we expect work to be completed this week,” Mayor of Listowel Jimmy Moloney told the Kerryman.

“It’s one of those iconic structures of Listowel and the county and I’m delighted to see it reinstated after all this time.”

Insurance matters were behind the two-and-a-half-year wait for the reconstruction of the arch that was opened by then Listowel Town Council Chairperson Louis O’Connell on June 29 2001.

Thankfully for taxpayers it’s the insurance that is covering the cost of the work.

Demolition of the old Neodata buildings - used since by Kerry County Council - will require specialist asbestos removal teams due to the presence of the material in the roof.

That job has already gone out to tender. It’s hoped the whole building will be removed by the time of the second round of Tidy Towns’ judging, Mayor Moloney said.

“There are a number of ideas for the area afterwards, among them