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Restoration Initially,
the proposed restoration of St. Aidan's was to include necessary repairs to the
structure of the building, cleaning, internal repainting, and the upgrading of
heating, lighting and sound installations. More urgently, the expansion caused
by rusty re-enforcing in the spire over the years had made the structure
unstable; extraction and replacement of this steel became a worrying and
expensive priority. Public
reaction to the need for extensive refurbishment, though understandably
cautious, was positive and encouraging. As support for the project grew, so
also the belief broadened to embrace the complete restoration of all major
features of the Cathedral to their original distinctive Pugin style. A deadline
of the 150th anniversary of the celebration of the first Mass in St. Aidan's was
set for its completion. The
restoration programme included the return of the Pulpit, Bishop's throne and
Baptismal Font to their to their former prominence, the re-leading of the
stained glass windows and the reinstatement of as much as possible of the
original patterned floor tiling. The main altar was re-built at the central axis
of the building, and the Tabernacle, complete with pinnacle placed on a new
Blessed Sacrament Altar at the head of the Sanctuary, under the great north
window. A Pugin style ceiling, comprising hand-painted panels in striking
colours was installed in the base of the tower over the main altar. Finally,
in keeping with Pugin's view that "All ornament should consist of
enrichment of the essential construction of the building" a myriad of
internal decorative and structural features in stone, wood, wrought iron, glass
and plaster shone forth for the first time in decades in the architects
favourite colours of Venetian Red, Blue, Green and Gold. The colours and motifs
of the decorative stencilling were painstakingly and faithfully reproduced by
analysis of paint scrapings taken from the walls and scrutiny of old
photographs. The paints were compounded specifically to replicate the originals. It
had taken almost a year of dedicated endeavour by specialists in the restorative
craft: Steeplejack, Stonemasons, Woodcarvers, Upholsterers, Art and Stained
Glass Restorers, Workers in Wrought Iron, Plaster casting and Stone cleaning.
All plied their trades repairing, replacing, decorating and enhancing the
handiwork of nineteenth century artisans. Craftsman's
tools may have developed over the intervening decades but the work demanded
the same keenness of eye, trueness of touch and patience of temper that had
characterised their forbears. By
Christmas 1994, St. Aidan's was re-opened for worship, having reverted
faithfully to Pugin's ideal for the first time in one hundred and fifty years. The
Restoration of St. Aidan's Cathedral cost €1.27 million, and was paid for by
the selfless giving of the people of Enniscorthy and the Diocese of Ferns. The
Cathedral was re-dedicated by Bishop Brendan Comiskey on
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