Tipperary council to seek funding for renovation of Carrick-on-Suir Town Clock

Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District is to apply for funding to repair and refurbish one of Carrick-on-Suir’s best known landmarks – the Town Clock.

The local authority intend to submit a grant application under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme to finance the renovation of the historic structure.

Carrick MD District Administrator Marie O’Gorman revealed the council's action plan for the clock at the monthly meeting of the district’s councillors in Carrick-on-Suir Town Hall.

She said it was anticipated that applications for these grants will be invited in November with approvals issuing in January.

“This matter will be prioritised in the new year, subject to the availability of funding,” she outlined in a written response to a motion tabled by Carrick MD Cathaoirleach Cllr Kieran Bourke.

Cllr Bourke's motion had called on the council to seek funding to carry out “much needed” work on the clock and he told Ms O’Gorman he was very happy with her response.

“It has always been the responsibility of the local authority to maintain it but unfortunately it has gone a bit to wrack and ruin over the last number of years.

“It badly needs much needed restoration work,” he told the meeting.

Cllr Bourke pointed out that the clock isn’t currently working and its hands are stuck at 10.40.

He acknowledged there had been health and safety issues but he understood these have been overcome.

The Fianna Fáil councillor stressed the importance of the clock to Carrick-on-Suir.

“After Carrick castle and the Old Bridge, it’s probably the most recognisable landmark in the town.

“It’s in every brochure and picture. It’s part of our heritage,” he added.

Fellow Carrick-on-Suir Cllr David Dunne seconded the motion and thanked Cllr Bourke for tabling it at the meeting.

He agreed it was an iconic structure in the town and hoped the council can get it working again.
The Town Clock, erected in 1784, is privately owned.

It is a recorded monument in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, classified as being of “regional importance and of special archaeological, architectural, historical and social interest”.

Ms O’Gorman outlined in her response to Cllr Bourke’s motion that the council obtained permission from the clock’s owner to prepare a preliminary conservation plan for the Town Clock.

Bluett & O'Donoghue Consultants were commissioned to prepare the plan and this work was funded by the Community Monuments Fund.

She said the Conservation Plan contains a comprehensive set of recommendations on the next steps required in the conservation of this important landmark.

Alongside this, a Section 57 Declaration issued by the Planning Authority in 2021 outlined the works permitted to be carried out to the structure – both with and without the need for planning permission.

Ms O’Gorman said an interim intervention involved minor repair and repainting of the Town Clock by Carrick-on-Suir Business Association. This project was funded by the Town Centre Initiatives Painting and Enhancement Scheme.