CofI to let Vodafone put dishes in church towers

The mobile phone company, Vodafone, has secured the go-ahead from the Church of Ireland to locate mobile phone installations in the towers of two historic churches overlooking the River Shannon in Co Clare.

The installations are intended to close gaps the company has in its coverage for mobile phone users in the east Co Clare area.

The two churches, the 13th century medieval St Flannan's Cathedral in Killaloe and the 18th century St Caimen's Church in Mountshannon, are among the best known buildings in Co Clare.

St Flannan's Cathedral was built by a grandson of Brian Boru, Donal Mór O'Brien in the early 13th century and benefited from an EU-sponsored €250,000 restoration project completed three years ago.

Both churches are used regularly by the local Church of Ireland congregation and are protected structures in the county development plan.

Vodafone turned to the Church of Ireland to use the high towers after they emerged as the only structures in the Killaloe and Mountshannon to provide comprehensive mobile phone coverage in the area.

The radio dishes and antennae which will be located in the towers will largely not be visible, apart from an antennae that is to protrude from the St Flannan's bell tower.

The Rev Stephen White said yesterday that Vodafone made an approach last year to locate the telecommunications equipment in the two churches.

He declined to say how much money Vodafone has agreed to pay for the use of the church towers. "I can't say, because there is no contract yet as Vodafone has to secure planning permission from Clare County Council to put the structures in place.

"I will be happy to talk about the details of the contract if and when it is signed."

Rev Stephen White said that the money was not the only reason the church has accepted Vodafone's offer.

Though not a mobile phone user himself, he said the mobile phone reception in the area was not particularly good.

"I'm told the churches would be very suitable sites to improve the coverage.

"There was no good reason to say no to Vodafone."

Rev White said that he was satisfied that the placing of the equipment in the church towers "will not affect the integrity of the churches, architecturally or spiritually".

He sad that the select vestry, or parish council, was involved in the decision in each case to respond positively to Vodafone.

In its submission to the council, Vodafone states that it has had full regard to the protected status of the churches in drawing up its plans, and proposals have been designed to ensure that there will be no impact on the structures or amenities of the areas.

Vodafone points out that in both cases "the use of the structures are in accordance with national policy as it is the favoured option over free-standing structures in towers and villages".

Spokespersons for Vodafone and O2 confirmed yesterday that they have a small number of installations in churches in other parts of the country.