Westport’s churches celebrated

CONSERVATION CONSULTANT?Áine Doyle has co-ordinated the programme of events.


Áine Ryan

EXHIBITIONS charting the history, architectural design, interior decoration and conservation of Westport’s Holy Trinity and St Mary’s churches have been launched to mark Heritage Week. There will also be tours and public lectures on their history and conservation.   
Earlier this year both churches successfully applied for funding from the Heritage Council  under the Heritage Management Grant Scheme to undertake a Conservation Management Plan. The project will culminate in a five-year plan of works for both churches ‘based on a thorough understanding of the significance of the buildings, of past conservation works and of the current condition of their fabric’.
That is according to Conservation Consultant, Áine Doyle, who has co-ordinated the programme of events. She told The Mayo News that this exhibition aims ‘to raise awareness amongst the public of our understanding of the cultural significance of Holy Trinity Church of Ireland and St Mary’s Catholic Church and of the nature of past repair and conservation works’.
“This will be used to inform decisions about future conservation works to protect the fabric of the building while simultaneously retaining its cultural significance for future generations,” Áine Doyle said.  
“It is hoped that members of the congregation and the general public will be encouraged to make a donation towards the fabric repair fund for the church,” she added.

Conservation Management Plan
She explained: “The need for a Conservation Management Plan for St Mary’s Church arose out of the events of July 14, 2015 when a section of ceiling on the south aisle of the church collapsed and fell onto seating below. Fortunately the church was unoccupied at the time and no one was injured.
“This gathered information, together with specialist surveys of the structure and fabric which have been commissioned by the church, will be used to inform decisions about future works to protect the fabric of the building while simultaneously retaining its cultural significance for future generations.”
Ms Doyle will give the guided tours of Holy Trinity Church and Barbara Rabbett will give the tours of St Mary’s Church, while both public lectures will be given by Áine Doyle.  
The lecture venues are Carrowbeg House for St Mary’s and in the church itself for  Holy Trinity Church.

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