The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Fergal Dennehy, has officially celebrated the completion of a significant triple-track restoration project at St Anne's Church in Shandon.

The project, led by Cork City Council, involved the simultaneous delivery of three major conservation workstreams to safeguard one of the city's most recognisable heritage sites.

The comprehensive restoration focused on three key areas: the intricate clock faces and internal mechanism, the structural timber supports for the church's famous bells, and the original 300-year-old front doors. Dating back to 1722, the church and its tower—topped by the "goldie fish" weathervane—serve as a primary symbol of Cork City.

The project was made possible through a collaboration between Cork City Council, state funding, the Select Vestry of St Anne's, and a team of specialist local craftspeople. Experts from across the region, including horologists, conservation architects, and ironmongers, used a blend of traditional techniques and modern standards to complete the works.

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Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy said: "Thanks to Cork City Council, generous state funding, the Select Vestry of St Anne's and a team of highly skilled and dedicated craftspeople, the renewed St Anne's is ready to face the future with confidence. Heritage buildings of this age and of this significance require ongoing care, and we know that its journey of renewal must continue. However, the successful delivery of these three major restoration projects, which were completed alongside each other, stands as a powerful demonstration of our commitment to this wonderful building and its future."

The restoration of St Anne's is part of a wider initiative to revitalise the Shandon area. Valerie O'Sullivan, Chief Executive of Cork City Council, noted that further regeneration is planned for the historic Butter Market and Weighmaster's House. Known as "Shandon Exchange," this upcoming €7m project—funded under the THRIVE scheme—aims to create a new enterprise and community hub.

City Architect Cathal O'Boyle added: "The City Architects were delighted to be involved in the renewal of the St Anne's clock and tower as part of our ongoing work to revitalise the heart of Shandon. Our ongoing work in the Butter Exchange will support this work to delivering the first phase of the Integrated Urban Strategy for Shandon."

The specialist team for the clock and tower works was led by Keith Starr of Hearthstone Building and Restoration, with contributions from James Bourke Architects and Stokes Clocks. The timber bells support project involved the David Kelly Partnership and PJ Barrett & Co, while Leeside Forge provided essential ironmongery for the church doors.