Diocesan News
SOS Cruise in Donegal
More than 130 parishioners and friends of the Donegal group of parishes were ‘all at sea’ on Saturday evening in their efforts to raise money for their ‘Save our Spire’ campaign.
They took part in a two–hour cruise onboard the Donegal Bay waterbus – paying €20 a head for the privilege. If they had known their Rector, the Archdeacon of Raphoe, the Ven David Huss, was going to assume control of the steering briefly, they might have been less inclined to climb aboard.
The intrepid passengers defied a less than benign weather forecast and braved a steady, mid–August mizzle to help their local parish.
A few hardy souls donned wet weather gear and went ‘up top’, onto the upper deck, to admire the passing scenery and catch sight of the occasional, curious seal. The majority remained under cover, though, completing the cruise in style and comfort in the much drier lower deck, with its well–appointed bar and refreshments.
Proceeds from the Waterbus Fundraiser will go towards the ‘Save our Spire’ campaign, which is nearing completion. “We haven’t raised all the money we need, yet, but we are making tremendous progress,” Archdeacon Huss said. “The spire has been completely repointed, now, and the tower has almost finished receiving the same treatment. The restoration should be complete by the end of September or October, at which point we’ll have a service of thanksgiving and rededication.
“The professional cleaning – using a high–temperature, low–pressure system – has brought out the lovely colours of the original Mountcharles sandstone,” the Rector said, “and we’re pleased we’ve been able to source replacement stone to repair the most worn–out sections.” The worst of these is the church entrance, which is being completely rebuilt. “This will be the last major stage of the work,” the Rector said, “and will bring the church’s main entrance back to its former glory.”
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Derry & Raphoe
Mr Paul McFadden
028 7126 2440
07525 826290
press@derryandraphoe.org