† The United Diocese of Cashel Ossory & Ferns †
|
† The United Diocese of Cashel Ossory & Ferns † |
|
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
The Elliot Cathedral, Christ Church Waterford |
|
|||
|
Would you like to be remembered in a very special way in Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford? Have your name engraved on an organ pipe in the famous Elliot Organ. It is not very often that an opportunity comes along to be part of history, but its seems that a rare chance is being offered by Sure Foundation, the conservation and development programme of Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford. The historically significant Elliot Organ is currently being restored and people are being offered the chance to sponsor an organ pipe and dedicate it to themselves or their family before the instrument is rebuilt in its new location in the Cathedral. In return a small donation is requested which will help towards the considerable cost of returning this wonderful instrument to its former glory. The amounts requested are € 50 for a ssmall pipe, € 150 for a medium pipe and € 500 for a large gilded externalnal pipe. At present the Elliot Organ, which has been part of the Cathedral since 1815, is undergoing major conservation and restoration by Mr Kenneth Jones, the world-renowned Organ builder and restorer at his workshop in Co. Wicklow. He rates the instrument as ‘being of very great importance in national terms, indeed in international terms, it is the only Elliot organ in the 32 counties of Ireland.’ The Organ was a gift from Dean Usher Lee and was built in 1815 by Thomas Elliot, a well-known master Organ Builder. According to Kenneth Jones ‘surviving historic and well-designed organ-cases are few and far between in Ireland, not to mention historic pipe work. Only a handful of organ cases by Thomas Elliot still exist and in Waterford Cathedral we have the essentials of what is almost entirely the most important of these, a double case, and the sole Irish example of Elliot’s work.’ On its return to the Cathedral, the organ will be re-sited within the Cathedral, to a new gallery in the central arch at the west end of the Nave, its original position before being moved in 1890. The organ cases will be restored to their original elegant dimensions and new gilt front pipes will be provided, in the style of Elliot. The restoration of the organ to a gallery will restore the architectural integrity of the building and the original design concept of the organ itself. By its rejuvenation an organ of concert stature will be provided. It will provide an asset of which Waterford and the South East will be justly proud; it will be a crowning glory to the fully restored Cathedral and further enhance its attraction to visitors. The Cathedral itself is recognised as a first class concert venue with superb acoustics as witnessed in recent years by the Waterford International Master Class festival and the Julian Lloyd Webber cello recital. Many other concerts have taken place in line with the expansion of wider use of the Cathedral in the community. When the restoration is completed the Organ will be used in regular concerts and recitals. The cost of the Organ restoration
will be in the region of € 400,000. Or E mail: info@thesurefoundation.com
|
|
|||
|
|
Last Modified: May 6, 2003 © Cashel & Ossory 2002