The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Ventry church to remain closed until November
VENTRY chuch is open to the air this week - but it will remain closed to its parishioners until November.
The sandstone church at Ard a Bóthair has served the western part of Dingle Parish since it was dedicated to Naomh Caitlíona in 1874. However, in recent years a number of leaks in the centre of the roof and above the altar lead Parish Priest Fr. Joseph Begley to initiate an investigation into the state of the structure. Co-ordinated by Michael Moriarty of Moriarty & Bambury Engineers in Dingle, the investigation resulted in the decision to replace the roof.
This week the church was open to the air after the Bangor slates had all been removed and work is now underway to re-roof the building. The unfailing sunshine of the past week and a good weather forecast for the coming days have greatly helped the work, but, just in case, the section above the altar has been covered in felt to protect the interior.
The re-roofing is being carried out by Inch Construction and for company owner Seán O’Connor it’s a great job to work on, simply because of the quality of the work that went into the church when it was built.
Speaking to The Kerryman on Monday he pointed out that it’s common to see the walls of old buildings pushed outwards by the weight of the roof. But in Ventry church the three-foot thick stone walls are as straight and true as the day they were built and the pitch pine beams and trusses that supported the slate roof are beautifully jointed and still in perfect condition. The only fault to be found is that somebody, at some time in the past, thought it would be a good idea put a coat of brown paint on the pitch pine beams.
“You can see the respect there was for the Church from the quality of the building,” said Seán, who added that he still hasn’t worked out how the original builders got the roof ‘A’ frames, weighing about five tonnes each, into place without the use of the lifting equipment and machinery that builders take for granted today.
Additional work that will take place as part of the renovation include the installation of insulation and a new heating system as the existing gas heating system creates condensation which is problematic according to Fr. Joe. The project will also include electrical work, re-painting and the installation of ramps to improve wheelchair access, he added.
The cost of the refurbishment work will be in the region of €400,000 and the parish is commencing a number of fundraising activities to help cover the cost. One donor has already come forward and further donations will be welcome, said Fr. Begley.
While work on the church is continuing the weekly Saturday evening Vigil Mass is being held in Halla FionnTrá. For information on the fundraising initiative contact the Parish Office at 066-91208 or email dingle@dioceseofkerry.ie