Connect with us

News

Landmark church undergoing €260k restoration

Published

on

UNDER RESTORATION: Derrycunnihy Church on the Moll's Gap road is undergoing a €260K facelift. Photo: Eƒamonn Mac an Bheatha

 

EXCLUSIVE

By Sean Moriarty

 

A landmark 120-year-old church on the Killarney to Kenmare road is currently undergoing €260k restoration works.

 

Derrycunnihy Church, which sits about halfway between the famous tunnel and Ladies View on the Moll’s Gap road, in the heart of Killarney National Park, is managed by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

 

The Department is presently carrying out structural repairs, which is both a protected structure and has become a roost for a number of protected species including the Lesser Horseshoe Bat and a number of barn owls and swallows.

 

The condition of the historic structure had deteriorated markedly in recent years with a number of storms causing holes in the roof. The cost of the conservation project is expected to be around €260k and is being funded by both the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Historic Structures Fund of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

 

“The proposed conservation works are essential repairs to stabilise and safeguard the church with the primary focus being roof repairs including the re-slating of the roof with salvaged and new natural slate, repair of distinctive historic metal ridge plates, installation of new rainwater goods, and repair of internal doors,” Máire Ní Chonghaile of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht press office told the Killarney Advertiser. “As part of the works, information panels are shortly to be erected to explain to the general public the importance of the church and the wildlife habitats. Carrying out these conservation works will safeguard the structure, which is an important part of the cultural tourism offering in Killarney.”

 

During the course of the repair programme, two training days hosted by the NPWS and Kerry County Council will be held at which the project will be presented to local architects, engineers, architectural conservation officers, third level students and local authority staff.

 

 

 

 

Advertisement

News

Newstalk Summer Tour arrives in Killarney

Newstalk’s 2025 Summer Tour, in association with ESB, is making its way to Killarney this week, bringing live broadcasts from the town. On morning, Friday, June 20, Newstalk Breakfast with […]

Published

on

Newstalk’s 2025 Summer Tour, in association with ESB, is making its way to Killarney this week, bringing live broadcasts from the town.

On morning, Friday, June 20, Newstalk Breakfast with Ciara Kelly and Shane Coleman will be live from the Café du Parc in the Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa, kicking off at 7 am.
Ciara and Shane are scheduled to speak with local Kerry figures and take a trip on Killarney’s jaunting cars to see the sights.
Kelly said: “I am so excited to head to Killarney. I have had some fantastic memories as a child visiting Kerry and can’t wait to go back for Newstalk’s Summer tour!”
Coleman added: “Kerry is a wonderful place to visit and I am looking forward to seeing its natural beauty, vibrant culture and rich history.”
The week-long tour is taking the full Newstalk experience to towns across Ireland, featuring live shows, special guests, and conversation.

Continue Reading

News

Ring of Kerry Cycle to honour founder Paddy O’Donoghue

Published

on

By

This year’s Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, scheduled for July 5, will be run in memory of Paddy O’Donoghue, a founding member of the event.

Mr O’Donoghue, aged 81, from Muckross, passed away following a road collision in Kilgarvan on Tuesday, this week.

Paddy was a retired Kerry County Council engineer, affectionately known as ‘Paddy the Engineer’.

He was a driving force behind the annual charity cycle since its inception in 1982, regularly participating and fundraising for various causes. Beyond his cycling contributions, the Glenflesk native was also a notable footballer, having been part of the East Kerry team that secured the first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 1971.

Cathal Walshe, PRO of the Ring of Kerry Cycle said: “On behalf of the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle I wish to extend sincere sympathy to Brenda and the O’Donoghue family on the sad and sudden loss of Paddy.

“He was a fantastic supporter of the annual charity cycle since it’s inception back in the 80s. A regular participant and wonderful fundraiser for whatever charity he chose. Paddy loved a challenge in whatever he undertook and was the epitome of what the event was all about. We miss the banter and craic but he won’t ever be forgotten. This year’s event will be dedicated to his memory on July the 5th. His likes will never be seen again. Slan Abhaile our friend.”

Tributes have been paid to Mr O’Donoghue, including from his local Glenflesk GAA club, who stated, “Glenflesk GAA would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Paddy O’Donoghue on his sad passing. He was a true Glenflesk stalwart as a player, mentor and lifelong supporter.”

Paddy is survived by his wife Brenda, children Florence, Áine, Denise, Brenda, Báirbre, Patrick, and Alice, 17 grandchildren, his brother John, sisters Margaret, Kathleen, and Anna, and a wide circle of relatives and friends.

Attachments

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport