Raisingtheroofto helpStMary’s!
DROGHEDA’S various religious worshipers are very suitably catered for with the many churches which are situated within the precincts of the town.
Perhaps the principle churches which dominate its inner landscape are both St Peters’ churches on the North side and St Mary’s Catholic church in James’ Street on the South side. All of them are beautiful in their architectural and ornate design but time and climatic elements tend to take their toll even on the most steadfast of buildings.
St Mary’s Church in James Street has more or less stood the test of time since 1892 but of late, it has suffered the force of the elements and Parish Priest, Father Phil Gaffney, now faces the task of raising the necessary funds to restore its roof before further damage is caused to its structure.
The St Mary’s Parish Committee are launching a major fundraising drive which will commence with the Drogheda Male Voice Choir and their Musical Director, David Leddy, lending their support with a major concert in the church on Friday the 9th March at 8pm.
Alison Comyn has also come forward to compere the evenings proceedings which will also feature wonderful soprano, Amie Dyer and the newly formed Drogheda Boys Choir.
The choir’s Musical Director, David Leddy, says, “St Mary’s church in James Street is a very special place for us having sang there several times since the choir was formed. When we heard about the Roof Restoration Fundraising drive, initiated by Father Phil, we were only too happy to help with the launch of this fundraising effort. It is a beautiful church and the acoustics are brilliant which lends itself to choral singing. We are very much looking forward to making this launch a huge success. Many of our choir members are from the parish and it is where I was born and reared before abdicating to the Far Side”.
St Mary’s Church in James Street is one of the towns iconic buildings and is a landmark for those who come into the town from the Southside. It is a gothic style building and has been serving the worshipers of the Parish of St Mary’s since 1892. The façade has three large gabled entrances with mouldings and carvings. The interior is richly decorated and very dark. This is due to the fact that the isle windows (and there are only windows on one aisle) are filled with very dark stained glass so the only natural light is via the clerestory windows. This beautiful church has unique designs in mosaic patterns and they are exquisite in the tone of their colours.
As Rev Father Phil Gaffney points out; “In recent times we have had the building and roof surveyed and discovered that the beautiful mosaics behind the alter were in danger of becoming damaged because of roof leakage. We immediately carried out the necessary roof restoration on the South side of the church and were successful in preventing any damage. However, the West side of the roof on the church also needs restoration work done and we have initiated plans to raise the necessary funds to carry out this work.”
According to Father Phil, the total cost of the overall roof restoration will be in the region of €250,000 to complete the work. He says; “We are delighted with the magnificent gesture by the Drogheda Male Voice Choir to launch our Roof Restoration Fundraising drive and look forward to a great turnout of parishioners and choral music lovers on Friday the 9th of March at 8pm to St Mary’s Church when Amie Dyer and the Drogheda Boys Choir will also perform. This concert will be followed by the second of our fundraisers which will be a Golf Classic to take place on Friday the 27th of April at Laytown & Bettystown Golf Club”.
Tickets for the Concert are €15 and enquiries regarding sponsoring or entering a team to play in the golf classic can be obtained by calling into the Parish Office in James Street or ringing the office at 041 9834587.