Dominicans on up and ‘going nowhere’
ANOTHER BIG YEAR AS CHURCH TO MARK 140 YEARS SINCE IT FIRST OPENED
DROGHEDA’S Dominican community is ‘going nowhere’ and are looking to make 2018 another year to remember.
The church by the Boyne has had the threat of closure hanging over it for the past few years but with numbers ‘ thriving’ - the local clergy are determined to keep going.
‘We have heard nothing more about closure and for us it’s a case of business as usual,’ Fr Jim Donleavy stated.
They were packed out over Christmas with numbers up on previous years.
Last year saw a major fundraising drive to repair a leak in the roof and this was successful.
‘We are looking at a painting job when the walls dry out, probably in April for a few months,’ he added.
But the big celebration will be on September 15 when they mark the 140th anniversary of the first mass by Fr McGettigan and Fr Mead the at the ‘new’ Dominican.
‘We plan to make that a celebration of the people of Drogheda for all they have done for us down the years.
‘ They really came behind our fundraising last year which was great and the affinity they have for the Dominicans is deeply appreciated.’
2018 will also see the carpet on the aisle of the church removed to reveal the original flooring.
‘We believe there are mosiacs under the carpet and it will be another great moment when we unveil them,’ he stated.
As part of their ongoing fundraising drive for the upkeep of the church, the Dominicans are hosting a concert in the Westcourt Hotel on April 1.
It will feature Eurovision star Niamh Kavanagh and tickets are now available.