Big task ahead at Magdalene Tower

RESTORATION work on Drogheda’s historic Magdalene Tower will be more extensive and expensive than previously thought.

The bill for the project is now expected to exceed £100,000, more than £20,000 over the initial estimates.

The rise in costs is because workmen have discovered that much of the original stone-work will have to be completely replaced rather than just repaired.

Drogheda Corporation had intended to install sealed windows in the tower to prevent the wind and rain from getting in and causing further damage to the 14th century monument.

But the stone window-frames - known as mullions - turned out to be badly weatherworn and dangerous and additional work is needed before the windows can be installed, according to Town Clerk Brendan Hoey.

Some other eroded parts of the sandstone building also need to be replaced, but the work will leave the tower secure for a long number of years, added Mr. Hoey.

Other work to be carried out includes re-roofing the tower, re-pointing the walls, and general landscaping.

It is also intended to install floodlights.

The Corporation took the decision to carry out the replacement stonework because it was felt that it would be cheaper to do it now rather than wait a few years.