Time to stand still at Londonderry Guildhall

To facilitate the ongoing restoration works that are taking place at the Guildhall, the clock tower will be temporarily out of view from the end of November 2010.

City Engineer, John Kelpie, who is overseeing the project explained that as scaffolding continues to be erected along the Guildhall Square elevation over the coming weeks it will also be necessary for the four faces of the Guildhall clock to be covered over while restoration work is being carried out to the building and clock tower.

Conservation architects on the project, Consarc Design Group, have advised Council to take measures to ensure the clock does not get damaged while work is taking place.

On completion in 1891 the clock was the largest and most powerful of its kind in Ireland.

Ritchies of Edinburgh, who made the clock, continue to this day to give it's intricate mechanism a yearly service.

The mechanism and quarterly hour chime are similar to those of the Great Clock of the Palace of Westminster (Big Ben).

In times gone past a laborious winding of the clock mechanism was regularly undertaken to ensure the shipping lines, trains and other means of transport were reliably informed of the time.

Carrying on this 119 year old tradition, the Council's City Engineers Department are responsible for ensuring the clock is wound, albeit by faster electronic means, twice weekly.

"The landmark tower with its impressive turret clock and copper roof will be missed from our skyline as will the sound of the hourly strike and quarterly chimes of the bells. Our contractor for the external restoration, H&J Martin, has informed us we can expect the clock to be back in action and on view from the middle of March next year 2011," he said.

The Chairman of Environmental Services, Cllr Mark H Durkan said he was delighted work was progressing well with the project saying it was an exciting time for the city centre.

"The Guildhall is the iconic building for the city and it is important that we safeguard and showcase it's architectural and historical legacy for future generations.

"As the focal point of the current inner city regeneration taking place, the Guildhall is a key constituent within our tourism offer, particularly with the expected increase in visitor numbers as we approach City of Culture 2013.

"Derry City Council are proud to be investing in our unique city's heritage and look forward to Spring 2011 when we will begin to catch glimpses of how the Guildhall, and it's distinctive clock tower, will be restored to its former glory," he said.