Campaign seeks €5m to save O’Connell church
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.
Interior walls need to be replastered, along with other work.
“We’re faced with the daunting task of a massive fundraising endeavour, but with the help of everybody I’m sure it can be done,” Canon Mangan said.
“After all, we’re living in a country vastly more prosperous than when the church was built first day.”
The idea of building a new church on a greenfield site in Caherciveen had also been looked at.
But, given the historical associations of the church - a listed building - and the possibility it could become an eyesore if closed, it was decided to renovate it.
Already, €500,000 has been raised locally and work can commence as soon as another €1m is collected. Caherciveen parish has a population of 3,000 people, who would be unable to meet the cost of the project on their own.
Fundraising co-ordinator Len Hurley said the campaign would be conducted nationally and internationally and Caherciveen exiles throughout the world would be asked for their support.
He said: “This is no ordinary church for many reasons. Architects have described it as a significant national building, early French-Gothic and Irish-Romanesque in style.” It was built by Canon Timothy Brosnan in the late 19th century as a memorial to O’Connell.
After its opening, the church was referred to by visitors as a cathedral because of its size and decoration.
