Minister Joe McHugh has announced that Donegal Parish Church in Donegal Town has been awarded €20,000 urgent funding for repair work.
“The award of €20,000 to Donegal Parish Church will help protect the structure of this landmark in Donegal Town for future generations,“ Mr McHugh said.
“A significant amount of detailed work went into an application to the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for urgent funding to fund work on the spire.
“The church had been badly damaged by lightning during a storm and was left with structural problems and there was a real risk that the conditions would deteriorate if the spire was not repaired.
“I am delighted to have been able to confirm the good news in person to Reverend David Huss today and I wish him well, and everyone associated with the parish, as the repair and restoration work takes place in the coming weeks and months.”
Mr McHugh, Government Chief Whip, said: “Being able to secure funding for projects like this is rewarding. Donegal Parish Church is a highly significant Gothic-style church, originally designed and built by local man William Graham.
“It is brilliant to see finding for important heritage such as this and to ensure that it is protected for this generation and future generations. It really is a landmark feature of Donegal Town.”
Mr McHugh, Minister for the Irish language, Gaeltacht and the Islands, said: “I would like to thank Rev Huss for his work on the project and the support of officials in the Department through the Structures at Risk fund.
“I understand that inspections have already been done on the spire by steeplejacks and that heritage officers have conducted site visits, so now it is a matter of ensuring the protective works are done.
“Officials took into account the architectural and historical significance of Donegal Parish Church, which is regarded for the quality of the cut stone detailing particularly to the tower, spire and pinnacles and I’d like to thank them for accepting the application for urgent funding.
Mr McHugh added: “It’s also important to remember that the Architectural Conservation Officer in the local authority is often the person best placed to provide expert advice and assistance to owners of historic buildings and their input is invaluable in protecting structures into the future.”
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