Damage to the Stonework - Christ Church 2000 Fundraising Appeal

DAMAGE TO THE STONEWORK

Christ Church Cathedral can appear to be in good shape but, on closer inspection, crumbling masonry is widely evident. Only a comprehensive programme over the next ten years of cleaning, repair, stone replacement and maintenance can halt the process of deterioration.

'A Report on the Condition of the Fabric' (1995) highlights the problems:

"There is evidence of opening up of joints in stonework, dating from an earthquake in 1984."

"The erosion of the light coloured stones is at a critical stage ...."

"... virtually all of the vaults, with the exception of the nave vaults, are cracking. One could accept that the cracking which is pervasive, is entirely attributable to the 1984 earthquake."

Dublin Corporation have been strong supporters of the restoration programme and, in 1999, augmenting an earlier donation of £100,000, they offered a further grant of £20,000 for the preservation and consolidation of the medieval doorway to the North Yard, and the repair and replacement of the rainwater pipes. This initial work is presently underway and should be completed shortly, leaving the major job of re-pointing the tower and treating the decaying sandstone. In order for us to continue with this extensive renovation of the stonework, the Cathedral needs to raise approximately another £800,000.

Erosion of stonework on the west and north exterior walls due to pollution and weathering.