New plans for a major renovation of St Eunan’s Cathedral in Raphoe have been revealed.
The details of ‘Renovation Project 2020’ were unveiled for the first time publicly at an event in the Cathedral Hall in Raphoe on Friday evening.
A new, specially commissioned short film about the Church of Ireland cathedral was premiered on the night along with a fundraising campaign to help pay for the improvements, which will come at a cost of €650,000.
It is proposed that the renovations will begin just after Easter in 2020 and be completed by the end of October.
The cathedral will have to close for seven months, with services switching to the nearby Cathedral Hall.
Launching ‘Renovation Project 2020’, Dean Barrett said the Cathedral Church of St Eunan in Raphoe was the mother church of the Church of Ireland Diocese of Raphoe.
The Dean of Raphoe, the Very Rev Arthur Barrett, reveals details of ‘Renovation Project 2020’ which will cost an estimated €650,000
He described how it was an extremely important regional and national site of enormous spiritual, ecclesiastical and cultural significance.
“Christian faith has flourished in Raphoe for over 1,400 years,” he said, “and the cathedral church of St Eunan has been there for 800 of those years.”
The Dean said they were privileged to worship in and maintain a Christian witness on this ancient site of Celtic spirituality.
“It is our responsibility” the Dean said, “to ensure the restoration and preservation of this magnificent – if modest – cathedral church; but we can only do it with the help of many others, near and far.”
One of the ways people will be able to contribute to the restoration will be through a new ‘Buy-a-Slate’ Appeal which is being launched by the parish, and the Dean is also proposing to draw up a list of 100 benefactors who he hopes will be willing to donate at least €2,000 each over the next two years.
“As part of our fund-raising plan we hope to spread the story of St Eunan, his cathedral and the church far and wide. We want people across the world – literally – to hear about the cathedral city of Raphoe, about St Eunan, about our cathedral church and our renovation plans, and hopefully be sufficiently interested to make a donation.”
Architect Karl Pedersen gave a breakdown of the programme of works:
All roof slates will be replaced, roof timbers will be renewed or treated, roof battens replaced, rainwater goods to the outside of the cathedral and to the tower will be renewed, a new vestry (Chapter Room) extension will be built, new lighting will be installed and defective stonework will be repaired. The cathedral’s interior will also be redecorated.
The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Ken Good, tells parishioners, “There’s a sense of history and of legacy here that is seriously worth preserving.”
The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Ken Good, said “This project is an architectural challenge, it is a conservation challenge, it is a financial challenge, it is a project management challenge. But do you know what I think it is above all? It is a spiritual challenge.”
Bishop Good told those present they couldn’t do this on their own: “On our own we are not up to it – we don’t have the resources – and therefore we have to rely on the power of prayer and the power of God to lead and guide, and to call and to motivate and to inspire.”
Dean Barrett agreed with the Bishop. “We are stepping out in faith,” he said, “that God will touch generous hearts and hands, so that – together – we can ensure the survival of this ancient cathedral church, and that He may continue to be worshipped and glorified, now and forever.”
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