THE SAILORS’ Home on O’Curry Street can be repaired following a large fire in recent weeks.
That’s according to owners of the building, the Shannon Foynes Port Company, who said that initial assessments show that the building did not sustain any significant structural damage in the fire.
An assessment by engineers showed that the building suffered extensive damage, but early reports indicate that it may be repairable.
A spokesperson for the Shannon Foynes Port Company said that the building remains structurally sound.
“The early indications are that while the roof is totally destroyed, the outer walls are intact and the building remains structurally sound,” a statement said.
“It’s still early stages but we are confident that the building can be repaired. We are currently liaising with our conservation engineers and insurers and will have to wait for the full assessment to be completed before we can consider next steps with the building but the positive news at this stage is that it looks like it can be restored to where we had it.”
The port authority took over the building, which had been disused for many decades, in 2012, and brought it back to life as it implemented a significant programme of conservation works to make the structure safe.
Following the building’s stabilisation, it had been used by various community groups to stage events and exhibitions.
