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2023
In early 2023 the internal walls were painted and scaffolding was gradually removed. Wall memorials which had been temporarially removed were replaced. There was a thorough clean and removal of building debris. The lights were repaired. The sound system was re-instated. The windows of the north and south porches were repaired and reglazed with specialist…
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2022
The year 2022 was fully occupied with restoration of the plasterwork. The seating, organ, pulpit and lectern were protected and impressive birdcage scaffolding was erected through the interior of the Church allowing close access to the ceiling and surrounding walls. Damaged plaster and damaged wooden laths were identified and removed. Replacement wooden laths were located…
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2021
In early 2021 the Friends were occupied with repairing and replacing the original parapet stones over the east window. These stones had become unstable and were removed in the 1980s. It was possible to salvage and re-use 40% of these stones, and matching stones were designed and made by McMonagle Stone, Mountcharles, Co Donegal. The…
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2020
Church services ceased in February and the roof repair work began in March. However Covid restrictions caused the work to stop until June when it recommenced. In June and July the slates were removed and the roof was covered with weather proof membrane below the new slates. Repairs were done to the gutters and to…
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2019
During 2019 the Friends worked with Louth Co Council and professional advisors to locate contractors to re-slate the outer roof. And a further fund-raising Garden Party was held in Collon House in May 2019, assisted by the Lourdes Brass Band Also in May 2019 in order to comply with public procurement policy a request for…
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2018
In 2018 active fundraising continued towards the roof repair target of €150,000. There were several enjoyable and well attended fundraising events. The opera singer Eugene Ginty and his friends – singer Sandra Oman and harpist Ciara Taaffe gave a wonderful concert in April – made more memorable from having been postponed from March due to…
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2017
In 2017 the focus was on active fundraising to aim to raise money to repair the roof. The official fundraising campaign was launched in May 2017 by Mairead McGuinness MEP, and Prof Christine Casey of Trinity College Dublin in a well-attended event which received good coverage in the local media. There were generous contributions from…
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2016
With these reports to hand the next step was to ask the Conservation Architect to produce a detailed Specification and Schedule of Work to repair and re-slate the outer roof. This was a substantial 80 page document including a detailed Health and Safety Plan prepared by a Civil Engineer. It was completed in 2016 and…
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2015
In February 2015 the Church was reopened for Church service. The rest of 2015 was a year of study into the problem of how to do the work of properly maintaining and restoring this listed building based on modern conservation principles. In this the Friends were ably assisted by the Louth Conservation Officer Angela Dullaghan…
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2014
In 2014 the Friends set to work. There was a very successful fund raising garden party courtesy of the owners of Collon House. Work started on repairs to the side porches of the building under the guidance of the Diocesan Architect with the help of funding from the County Louth Conservation Office. Dry rot was…