Welcome to our weekly round–up of news from around the Church of Ireland’s dioceses and parishes.  This summary’s stories come from:

Timoleague

Antrim

Derry & Raphoe

Down & Dromore

Dunmanway

Tower renovations completed at the Church of the Ascension, Timoleague

The Church of the Ascension in Timoleague has been undergoing some major renovation works since 2020. Phase 1 was completed in Summer 2020, restoring and renewing the entire roof of the church. Phase 2 of the plan has been completed recently, resulting in the new, white colour of the church tower.

Bikers support Antrim parishioner taking aid to Ukrainian refugees

Kenny Campbell, a parishioner of All Saints’ Parish Church, Antrim, is making a 3,200-mile round trip to take vital supplies to a Ukrainian refugee camp in Medyka, Poland.  Kenny and his friend Gerard Hughes are members of the Belfast Harley Davidson Owners’ Group.

Sun–kissed Family Fun Day at Oakfield Park

There was a very pleasant surprise in store for the scores of families and friends who descended on picturesque Oakfield Park, near Raphoe, recently for the first Diocesan Family Fun Day since the start of the Covid pandemic. The all–aged gathering was blessed with warm and dry conditions, allowing umbrellas and raincoats to remain out of sight.

Down and Dromore group complete the 4 Peaks Challenge

A group of 23 people, representing 17 parishes, returned safely on the evening of Sunday, 22nd May, after completing the 4 Peaks climbing challenge.  They summited the 4 highest peaks of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland in one weekend starting with Ben Nevis on Friday, Scafell Pike and Snowdon on Saturday (yes, two in one day!) before travelling back to Newcastle to climb Slieve Donard on Sunday afternoon (pictured below).

St Mary’s Tractor Run Fundraiser in Dunmanway

Over 100 vintage cars and tractors gathered at Cox’s Hall in Dunmanway for the annual St Mary’s Tractor Run. This event is one of the highlights of the year, with parishioners and people from the local community gathering to raise funds for local charities.