Church repairs gone to the dogs in Tralee

NECESSARY repairs to four churches straddling the Cork/Kerry border will be funded by a night at the dogs in Tralee later this month.

A €100,000 target for the project has almost been reached, but the organisers are confident they could yet break a record €130,000 set by greyhound enthusiast Fr Moss Brick for his church in Lixnaw, Co Kerry, some years ago.

Four churches in Rathmore parish are in need of repair and work on fitting a new roof to the church in Rathmore itself is almost complete.

Work has begun on repairing the roof in Knocknagree church; a heating system is required in Shrone church and some internal works are planned for the sanctuary and sacristy areas in Gneeveguilla church.

Local greyhound owners are spearheading the fundraising effort, with sponsorship coming from businesses in the area.

“Several local businessmen have donated large sums of money,” said organiser Martin Murphy.

Fr Larry Kelly, PP, said the response was better than expected.

All-Ireland football jerseys worn by Tom O’Sullivan and Aidan O’Mahony, both from Rathmore, will be auctioned on the night.