Neven Maguire
CELEBRITY chef Neven Maguire will be cooking up a storm in a Fermanagh parish later this month to help raise vital funds for renovations on three local churches.
The cookery demonstration by the Blacklion chef will take place at the Derrygonnelly Community Centre on Wednesday, September 28, and has been organised to help fund-raise for a major renovation campaign in Botha Parish.
The event is just one of a range of fundraising initiatives for the three churches – the Immaculate Conception in Monea, the Sacred Heart in Boho, and St Patrick’s in Derrygonnelly – that are all getting an overdue “facelift”, as PP Fr Jimmy Phillips explained.
“Both Boho and Monea churches are over 100 years old, and Derrygonnelly is 75 years old this year,” he said, explaining the renovations would cost in the region of £600,000 plus VAT.
The works will include repairs to damaged slates, lead and barges, as well as repainting of the stonework, moulding, replacing electrics, plumbing, repairs to existing toilet blocks and the erection of a new toilet block in St Patrick’s. This will all include disabled access. Also needed are new boilers, radiators, lighting and repairs to all footpaths and walkways around the churches, as well as sanctuary carpets, upgrade of storage in sacristies, some repairs to stained glass windows and floor tiles.
The work commenced last November, with the completion of Immaculate Conception Church Monea back in June.
“This is the first major works carried out since on these Churches in nearly 35 years,” said Fr McPhillips. “We are appealing to anyone with a connection to our parish, be it through your Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, weddings, or if you have a loved one the resting in the adjoining cemeteries, to make a once off donation.”
“With the help of our parishioners and parish friends we hope to raise the finance through our parish draw, donations and fundraising events locally, with the Neven Maguire Demonstration night being out the latest event.”
The cookery demonstration takes place next Wednesday at 6.30pm. there will also be a food fair and stalls, and plenty of tasty free samples to be enjoyed at half time, including canapes, ice-cream and wine. Tickets are £12 or €15. For more information call 07854129688.
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