The Irish Times

A proposal to reorder the interior of St Colman's Cathedral in Cobh, Co Cork - to bring it into line with liturgical requirements - will destroy "the glorious symmetry" created by its architect Pugin, according to Friends of St Colman's Cathedral (FOSCC). FOSCC was among a number of appellants to An Bord Pleanála against the proposal by the Trustees of the cathedral - the others were An Taisce, The Irish Georgian Society and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The proposal is to remove and relocate the altar rails and extend the sanctuary area to the nave, which would involve disturbing the mosaic sanctuary floor designed by architect George Ashlin and made by Ludwig Oppenheimer of Manchester in 1892. The trustees are looking to create a permanent altar on an extended sanctuary.