Mayo church to reopen on First Sunday of Advent after 10-month closure due to storm Éowyn damage
The Holy Trinity Church of Ireland in Westport will reopen for services on Sunday, November 30, after being closed due to damage from Storm Éowyn.
The Church suffered damage 10 months ago and was forced to close because of the dangerous condition of the ceiling over the nave and the ornately decorated sanctuary.
The decision to close the building was made on health and safety grounds, both for parishioners attending services and for visitors who regularly visit the historic building.
Reverend Suzanne Cousins announced the reopening on social media.
She confirmed that stage one of the repair works to fix the damage has been completed, with all inspections and reports finalised.
Services for the Holy Trinity Westport congregation will begin again on the First Sunday of Advent. There will be access and seating limitations.
The initial reopening will be for service only until stage two of the repair works has been completed, which is due to start early in the New Year.
Since the Church had been closed for repairs, the congregation had been welcomed into St Mary's Catholic Church in Westport.
Reverend Cousins thanked Father John Kenny for his Church's "generous hospitality" over the past 10 months.
"Their welcome and accommodation has been well beyond the call of duty and has been a wonderful demonstration of the love of God in action," she said.
The Midweek Holy Communion service on Wednesday, November 26, will take place in St Mary's side chapel at 10.30am, with future arrangements to be announced in due course.
Reverend Cousins' thanks were also extended to the team of professionals who carried out the repair works, and to the Mayo County Council Conservation Office for their support.
A "dedicated and motivated Select Vestry and team of parishioners" were recognised for their teamwork throughout the past 10 months.
The team "worked hard to see the plans implemented and to ensure the safety and comfort of parishioners and visitors to the Church," Reverend Cousins said.
Holy Trinity Church in Westport was consecrated in 1872, it was built on land donated by George John Browne, the 3rd Marquess of Sligo.
Architect Sir Thomas Newenham Deane designed the Church, which features a 185-foot spire and stained glass windows by renowned artists such as William Wailes and Clayton & Bell.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.