Community rallies to save three West Cork churches

Live performance tickets to celebrity comedian Graham Norton’s hugely popular TV show, along with return flights to London and overnight accommodation, are among the spectacular prizes in a community-run fundraiser to save three ancient churches in one of West Cork’s most spectacular regions.

Hundreds of people are expected to attend the fundraiser — a midweek cookery demonstration by chef Neven Maguire in a Bantry hotel.

Also up for grabs in the monster raffle, which takes place during the event, is a meal for two and overnight accommodation in Neven Maguire’s restaurant in Co Cavan.

Tickets for the cookery demonstration itself are still available.

Muintir Bháire parish, a rural community on the scenic Sheep’s Head peninsula, has thrown its support behind the SOS from parish priest Fr Gerard Galvin for a fundraising campaign to renovate the peninsula’s churches, each of which is more than a century old.

To date, the response has been heart-warming, said Fr Galvin, who added that local residents had not just helped organise fundraising events but had also donated money to the cause.

The rural communities have close connections with each of the old buildings which have served residents for more than a century, he said, adding that the churches of the Sheep’s Head and the Mass Centre at Gortalassa are an ever-present and unchanging part of community life.

Were they to fall into disrepair, it would be a very big loss to the community, he added.

As part of the fundraising campaign, local residents recently enjoyed a moving, candlelit concert in which international singer-songwriter Damien Dempsey featured.

Now they’re eagerly anticipating the cookery demonstration by chef and TV personality Neven Maguire at the Westlodge Hotel on Wednesday evening.

At the event, food producers from Cork and Kerry will also be showcasing their products — well-known local companies like Durrus Cheese and Milseán Chocolate, Glenilen and Stonemill Cider.

Tickets for this event cost €20 and are on sale throughout the West Cork region.

To date, the Sacred Heart Church at Durrus has undergone extensive renovation and repainting of its interior and the reorganisation of the altar area. The work cost in the region of €70,000.

Internal work will commence shortly at the Star of the Sea Church in nearby Kilcrohane, which recently had its roof sealed.

Plastering work is required inside the building which will also be repainted and re-carpeted. It is also hoped to install a new lighting system and it’s hoped the work will be completed by Christmas.

Following that will be a proposed renovation project at St Patrick’s Church at Ahakista, which is currently awaiting a full assessment of its general condition and the need for repairs, including repainting.

For more information about the fundraising campaign and the cookery demonstration, contact Fr Gerard Galvin on 087 6864874.