Campaign seeks €5m to save O’Connell church

A €5 MILLION fundraising campaign is under way to save one of the country’s most historic churches.

The O’Connell Memorial Church in Caherciveen, Co Kerry, is dedicated to the area’s famous son, Daniel O’Connell, and is said to be the only church in Christendom called after a layman.

However, after being in use for more than a century, it has fallen into disrepair and needs remedial work. “The passage of time and the rigours of the elements have paid their toll on this fine building,” said Caherciveen parish priest Canon Eoin Mangan at the launch of the fundraising drive, attended by Bishop of Kerry Dr Bill Murphy. Roofs are leaking and timber is damaged; granite stonework needs to be repointed, pipes and gutters need replacing and some stained glass windows have collapsed.