‘Find my whiskey!’ - Fr Jim’s unusual plea to roof workers
ANCIENT BOTTLE COULD BE BURIED UNDER LOOSE SLATES IN DOMINICAN
A TEAM of workers, carrying out repairs to the roof of the Domincan Church, have been asked to keep a special eye on any whiskey jug they might uncover!
Up to €40,000 has been raised by donations from the public to repair the roof of the church, dating back to 1876.
And the repair crew know that the discovery of one special item would make Fr Jim Donleavy’s day!
There is a story that when the roof was being built over 140 years ago, the spiration behind the church, Fr Meadthe, climbed up to check on how the job was going.
But two workers were enjoying a sip from a whiskey jug and to prevent detection, decided to plaster it into a hole!
‘It would be something to find it!,’ declared Fr Jim who has again expressed his delight at the funding they’ve received from the public.
Work on repairing the roof began last week and will take some time to complete.
Bernard Cooney from Dundalk, who has spent a lifetime in the restoration business, will have to source at least 100 Bangor Blue slates to replace those broken and missing on the roof.
‘Some of the craftsmanship on the roof is amazing to see. The lead is original too,’ he stated.
He initially thought that the leaking roof was being caused by loose guttering, but has found it to be a bigger problem.
‘ There is a lot to be done, but it’s great to be working on a building like this,’ Bernard added.
He has worked on buildings all over the country, coming across a copper roof on a convent once and then uncovering two Harry Clarke windows in Kilkenny.
But he admits trying to find a bottle of whiskey is a first!
‘You can tell how much people love the church by the amount of comments we are getting. People are coming up to us and saying they are delighted to see the work starting,’ he stated.
After the roof is secured, they will need to let the walls dry out for months before painting them.
As part of ongoing fundraisers, the church has rescheduled their summer ball for September 30. The Wheel of Fortune takes place on December 14.