Cobh Tidy Towns – Promenade Railings

On a bitterly cold Saturday morning, seven volunteers came out to complete the largest project ever undertaken by Cobh Tidy Towns Committee – the restoration of the Promenade railings. A large section of railing had been missing for over a decade and in the past week a replica section, cast from a section of the original was fitted. This was painted in less than ideal working conditions by the hardy group of volunteers.

Three years ago the Promenade railings were an embarrassment and exuded neglect. They were extensively rusted, many pieces were broken off, many inappropriate repairs had been made and a large section was missing near the Department of Defence pier.

Cobh Tidy Towns committee applied to The Heritage Council for grant assistance to restore the railings and over three years €22,000 has been sanctioned. Cobh Town Council supplied the paint used and many volunteers spent countless hours painting the intricate railings with up to four coats of paint.

Brendan Devlin Fabrication, a Cobh business with a nationwide reputation for iron work restoration undertook much of the specialised work and provided invaluable guidance and assistance to the Tidy Towns Committee.

These railings are now something to be proud of. A very visible part of Cobh’s built heritage has been restored to its former glory and the project has demonstrated that restoration is feasible and preferable to replacement.

The railings are now virtually as good as when they were first erected over 100 years ago and should last at least another 100 years!