Kilmurray works enter next phase
OPEN door were presented with a cheque for €2,400 last week by the Hospital Saturday Fund.
The money will be used for physiotherapy and is much appreciated by the members, staff and board of trustees at Open Door.
Physiotherapy is just one of the activities available to adults with physical disabilities at Open Door. Other include art, ceramics, woodwork, computers and music and funds must be raised to provide these therapeutic activities.
For more information on Open Door, visit opendoor.ie or call 01 2867123. PRESERVATION works at Kilmurray historic church in Newtownmountkennedy continues as it now reaches its second phase.
This stabilization phase, under the guidance of Architect Huw O’Toole of Newtownmountkennedy and District Tidy Towns, is due to be completed by mid-August of this year.
‘Cill Mhuire’, which was built around 1775, was burned by Crown Forces in 1799. The church was then rebuilt by local tradesmen, with the aid of a compensatory fund arranged by Lord Rossmore of Mountkennedy. It fell into ruin after the building of churches in Newtownmountkennedy and Roundwood in 1865.
The remedial works to walls, window opes, arches and wall cappings are almost complete and have revealled the stunning workmanship of the building.
Planning permission is now being sought for work on the ruined sacristy, including re-roofing, and the restoration of chimney and window opes.
The works will ultimately allow the building to be used again for special public gatherings.
The project is being realised by local fundraising and is supported by Wicklow County Council’s ‘Built Heritage Investment Scheme.’
Events featuring Kilmurray Church are being planned for Newtownmountkennedy’s Heritage Week from August 19 to August 27.
Huw O’Toole has appealed to anyone who may have photos or drawings of the church and sacristy in its original roofed condition to contact him at (087) 8041636 or at newtowntidytown@gmail.com.