Online fundraising appeal to help restore church in Clonmacnoise

An online appeal has been launched in an effort to help fund ongoing restoration works at the Temple Connor medieval church in the grounds of Clonmacnoise.

The appeal to help 'Re-Roof Temple Connor Clonmacnoise' was launched by the Church of Ireland's Athlone Union of Parishes, which owns the church and said its re-roofing is likely to cost some €100,000.

"Some of the slates have slipped, and there's moisture coming through as well. If you look around the gutters, there's growth on the wall that's a sign of leaking. These are the priority repairs," said Rev William Steacy, of Athlone Union of Parishes.

The GoFundMe appeal has so far raised just shy of €3,500, and, in addition to this, efforts are being made to secure funding from the Government's Community Monument Funding initiative.

"If we do get that Government funding," Rev Steacy explained, "we may be able to do other work as well."

The GoFundMe appeal explains that "we, the volunteer trustees, feel that we must make every effort to safeguard this building for future generations".

Temple Connor Church stands out as the sole roofed church within the Clonmacnoise complex, serving the local Church of Ireland community since the 1700s.

It was the burial place of the O'Connors of Connaught and one of the last structures of Gaelic royally-sponsored building works.

The medieval structure was re-roofed in the mid-18th century and contains a number of 18th century memorial slabs to the Malone family of Ballinahown. The roof was also repaired in 1868.

In 1955, the Church of Ireland transferred most of the monastic grounds and lands to the State. However, Temple Connor Church and its modest cemetery were retained.

Presently, the church's maintenance is entirely funded by Athlone Union of Parishes, which relies solely on the generosity of individuals for its preservation.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) oversees the maintenance of the remainder of the site.In addition to the online fundraiser, the Athlone union of parishes will host its annual open air service in Clonmacnoise later this month.

The service will take place on Sunday, July 28, at 4pm, and will be held adjacent to Temple Connor Church.

This is an outdoor event, with worshippers bringing picnic chairs or blankets and sitting on the hilly slope overlooking the majestic River Shannon. All are welcome to attend.

The gathering on July 28 is an evening prayer service featuring guest preacher, the Reverend Philip McKinley, who is a dynamic and youthful curate in the Dunboyne and Rathmolyon parishes, and who also serves as the primary evangelist at the Kildare Centre of Mission in Kildare town.

Donations collected during the upcoming service will be directed towards both the Kildare Centre of Mission and the ongoing restoration works at Temple Connor Church.