Trees work opens CPC view

The Cross & Passion has become more open to view in the last week, thanks to the major work done on the trees behind the wall.



The work was necessary on two fronts, first because of the major overhangs which had developed, leaving the CPC with a potential to liability if any damage was caused outside the wall from a falling bough.

"But we had a full investigation done on the trees in advance of having the work done, and found that there were some disease issues as well," says Noel Clare, Assistant Principal. "So it turned out to be a much more extensive job."

The work also prepares the area for the upcoming changes to the high wall which has surrounded the school since it was built more than a century ago. The plan to cut it low and replace it with decorative railings is well advanced, and planning permission is expected to be approved by the end of September.

"We're hoping work will actually start on this before Christmas," says Noel Clare, wearing his hat this time for Kilcullen Community Action, which is promoting the project. "So it should be complete by spring, opening up a new area for leisure use by townspeople."

There's an interesting angle to the trees work if anyone looks at one of the Lawrence Collection photographs of Kilcullen, which (above) looks up the town from Bardons and shows the trees behind the wall, perhaps a third of the height that they are today. The photographs were taken all around Ireland between the late 1800s and 1904.