Sir, - Perhaps some of the justifiable anger of the residents of Sandymount following the lamentable demolition of their Presbyterian Church might be channelled into opposition to the destruction of the Presbyterian Church in Adelaide Road. This early-19th-century building, including its original galleried interior, will shortly be demolished behind facade. If anything, the Adelaide Road Church is more important than its Sandymount neighbour, being both earlier and rarer.
Otherwise the only good thing that can be said about the Sandymount debacle is that the architect's report commissioned by residents, which indicated that the condition of the church was sound, exposed the fact that property owners who plead "dry rot" as a reason for demolishing historic structures are nearly always being deluded. This fact has long been known to An Taisce.
Anyone who is contemplating demolishing a historic building on grounds of "dry rot" or "structural problems" can contact the above office at 01-4541786 for advice as to which professionals are most experienced in dealing sensitively with such, often illusory, phenomena. - Yours, etc.,
Michael Smith, Chairman, An Taisce, The National Trust, of Ireland.