The centuries old gates at St Mary's Cathedral, Limerick, have been replaced as a gift from the giant Aughinish Alumina plant on the Shannon Estuary.
The project was the idea of an AAL craftsman, Mr Eugene Phayer, who was born and reared in the shadow of the Church of Ireland Cathedral in Nicholas Street.
Dean Maurice Sirr of St Mary's explained: "Eugene saw that the gates and some of the railings were in a desperately dangerous state and he brought it to the attention of the company. The two side pedestrian gates were so rusted they couldn't be opened".
The new gates and railings at the 12th century cathedral are an exact replica of the old gates and railings and were made by apprentice fitters at Aughinish Alumina. Contractors on site rowed in and did the sand blasting, rust proofing and painting and provided transport to bring the gates and railings to Limerick. It is estimated that if done commercially, the project would have cost about €20,000.
The Managing Director of Aughinish Alumina, Mr Damien Clancy, said that usually they are asked to help sporting organisations and the like. "This was a unique project and enabled us to contribute to the historical and cultural heritage of our city", he added.