Inspiring spire conservation in Hollymount

HISTORIC The Church of St Charles the Martyr’s in Hollymount.

Austin Garvin

SiobhΡn Sexton, Architectural Conservation Officer, Mayo County Council, delivered a very interesting presentation to the monthly meeting of Claremorris Municipal District on the ongoing works being undertaken to the spire of the Church of St Charles the Martyr, Hollymount.
The church has a long and glorious history inscribed in a date stone as being re-built in AD 1816 by a grant from the Board of First Fruits and by voluntary subscriptions, remains an integral part of the cultural heritage of Co Mayo.
The original church, consecrated in September 1714, was built as a chapel of ease by John Vesey, Archbishop of Tuam.
Centred in an area of historic designed landscapes associated with Hollymount Demesne, Clooncormick House and Bloomfield House, the cast-iron octagonal spire acts as a picturesque eye-catcher in the landscape.
The sponsors of the church may have had business interests in England. The spire is an early example of pre-fabrication involving the use of cast-iron in the west of Ireland.
The church was deconsecrated in 1959 with various elements of the built fabric donated to other ecclesiastical structures. The cut-stone surround from Ballintubber Abbey was returned in 1964 where it was reinstated in the first instance.
Ongoing conservation works are supported by the local community, Cong Parish Select Vestry, The Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional and Gaeltacht Affairs, The Follies Trust, The Heritage Council, the Irish Georgian Society, Mayo County Council and South-West Mayo Development Company Ltd.
Ms Sexton told those gathered at the meeting that the spire had badly deteriorated following a fire.
There were six levels involved in its restoration, with the work centered on the first two levels. She said the scaffolding was still in place and that more funds were needed to complete the work, which was very intricate.
Ms Sexton pointed out that there is huge potential for visitors and for tourism in the area, and that the church makes it more attractive.
Cllr Patsy O’Brien said that after a meeting held in Hollymount four or five years ago, local people came to the conclusion that remedial work should be carried out on the church. He added that the building had been restored in 1816 with the help of a grant of €1,000, and that  the spire was one of the only cast-iron spires in Ireland.
Cllr O’Brien went on to praise all involved, giving special mention to the Mangan family, who he said had done great work and made personal sacrifices, as well as Hugh Hennelly for his interest in the building.
Cllr Damien Ryan complimented SiobhΡn Sexton on her insightful presentation. He said he supported the restoration of the church, which is one of only a few of its kind in Europe.
“We have always helped financially, and the Local Authority has spent wisely in promoting heritage. We should make every effort to source national funding,” he concluded.