Position of Cross is "Precarious"

The Connacht Tribune, Saturday, March 18, 1989.

Dr. Tony Claffey, an expert on Medieval history, presented the Old Tuam Society's case to the Town Board as follows:

For many years the Old Tuam Society has been expressing its concern about the deteriorating condition of the Town Cross and the increasing risk of damage to it from passing traffic. Expert opinion which the Society sought has confirmed that the condition of the Cross is in fact precarious and that, should it fall, it would simply disintegrate.

The basic objective of the Old Tuam Society is to preserve the local historical monuments for the benefit of present and future generations. With that objective in mind it conveyed its concern about the Cross to the Town Commissioners who, quite rightly, sought a remedy from the Office of Public Works, a body with statutory powers in relation to national monuments. It now understands, that the O.P.W. has decided that in the interests of its preservation the Cross should be removed to St. Mary's Cathedral.

The Old Tuam Society wishes it to be known that it approves of that decision. It regards, St. Mary's, which is being wonderfully restored by FAS trainees, as an ideal new location providing the Cross with shelter from the eroding elements, ample space and light for its proper display, the facility to photograph and study it at ease by those so inclined, and an atmosphere in keeping with its antiquity. St. Mary's already has two monuments of national significance dating back to the 12th century, namely the Chancel Arch and an ornamented cross shaft. To add a third — the Town Cross — from the same period would further upgrade St. Mary's as a reliquary of unique significance and a prime indoor tourist attraction in the town.

The membership of the Old Tuam Society includes people from among the oldest established families in town, and therefore there is no other organisation more painfully aware of the void that the removal of the Cross will create in the Square for so many.

The Old Tuam Society is also aware that emotion has built up around this issue for another reason which is this: the people of Tuam have been battered by recession for a very long time, indeed for far too long. They have had to endure the closure of their Railway Station, the closure of the Erin Foods plant and the Sugar Factory, the haemorrhage of emigration and the consequent contraction of their businesses. They must therefore be forgiven if their first instinctive reaction is: "Are they going to take the Town Cross away from us too?"

But you will recognise this as a false and dangerous idea which can only lead to fruitless agitation.

The Old Tuam Society asks you to leave the problem of the Cross in the capable hands of the O.P.W., and for this positive move, you are entitled to expect the goodwill of the Government in return. Lift your sights to the wider problem of the Square itself the solution to which lies within the scope of Local Government.

We have been told by experts that the Square has an attractive 19th century character, and recently some of the lovely stonework of the houses there has been revealed to emphasise the point. Seek to have the unique character of the Square recognized for what it is. Press for a restoration scheme for the houses and their frontages, for the Town Hall and the Town Clock as an E.C. Structural Fund Scheme. Include in that scheme the laying underground of electricity and telephone cables, period public lighting and of course an acceptable replacement for the Town Cross.

If you unite in a development scheme of this kind, you can expect the town to follow your lead and people in positions of influence to support your cause. Rest assured that in all of these initiatives the membership of the Old Tuam Society will be amongst your warmest supporters.