Clane Parish Church
Renovations
September – November 2008
It is really good for us as a parish community to be able to return once again to our lovely Parish Church of St Patrick and St Brigid in the very heart of Clane village. Since the church fire on 28th August 2008 we have worked very hard to complete the extensive renovations of the interior of the church.
So many people have missed being able to come to the church to attend mass, to pray, to light a candle – its good to be back. We express our deep gratitude to so many people in our local community who have helped us over the past twelve weeks.
We are most grateful to Fr Bruce Bradley and the Jesuit Community at Clongowes Wood College and to Mr John Tutty, Chairman, Clane GAA Club, the committee and volunteers in the club for facilitating us and allowing us to use their facilities for our weekend masses.
We have worked closely with Mr John and Aidan Connolly, Burrow Homes, our building contractors, the various sub-contractors, our consulting engineers and project managers and Alliance Insurance Plc.
A special word of thanks to John and Aidan Connolly and to John, Shirley and Billy Mooney, our painting contractors, we hope you like their work, especially our lovely church ceiling!
The following is an outline of the major renovations which have taken place;
Painting of the complete interior of the church including the high ceiling
New carpets to the sanctuary area and to the church aisles, sacristy, family room and church porch.
New lighting system for the entire church
New amplification system for the entire church
Complete service and upgrading of the heating system.
Shot blasting of the stone pillars in the church and cleaning and replacing of marble in the Altar area.
Installation of a new Sanctuary floor and replacement of sections of the church floor, and varnishing and treatment of all church flooring.
Installation of a new fire detection system in the church
Installation of a new deaf loop system (for those hard of hearing) in the church
Complete refurbishment, sanding and cleaning of the church seats, new kneelers to all church seats
Cleaning of granite surrounds to windows behind the main Altar area
Upgrading of our Parish radio system which broadcasts mass to the sick and housebound of the parish
New paving of the church courtyard, foundations laid for the relocation of our church bell (to be completed in spring 2009)
We expect the total cost of the renovations to be in the region of €500,000. This includes restoration of the church following the fire as well as other works carried out at the request of the Parish.
We are very grateful for all who are supporting our major parish appeal, and weekly parish lotto. A special thanks go to our area collectors for their dedication and commitment.
The funds raised by this once off appeal will be directed towards our church renovations and to the first phase of our new parish centre and parish hall which is due for completion in early 2009.
We are delighted to welcome you back to our parish church, to pray, to reflect, to know that God is near.
With best wishes,
Fr Paul O'Boyle
