DERRYGONNELLY man Eamonn Greene is a man on a mission this week as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to raise funds for the major renovations currently taking place at all three churches in the Parish of Botha.
The £600,000 revamp of St Patrick’s, Derrygonnelly; Sacred Heart, Boho and Immaculate Conception, Monea are the first major works carried out on these buildings in nearly 35 years.
As a parishoner, Eamonn has decided to do his bit by living on an unoccupied island on Lower Lough Erne on his own for a whole week, starting this Sunday, July 16th.
As he admits himself, age is certainly no barrier for the 64-year-old Derrygonnelly man.
“At my age you’d think that I might be getting a bit of wit but maybe it’s a streak of madness. I have camped out before but never on my own.”
Thanks to his regular solo fishing jaunts on the lakes , Eamonn says being by himself for a week will be no problem.
“I will have a mobile phone with me at all times and the boat on standby in case anything goes wrong but hopefully I won’t need them.
“I will have plenty of time to cook for myself which will be one way to pass away all that time. It could take a couple of hours to make a meal out there with no switches to flick. As long as I have enough matches and firelighters among the supplies, it should all go smoothly.”
“My wife Deirdre is fully behind the idea and reckons that it will be a week’s holiday for both of us. The novelty factor was what really spurred me on to do this as there is an ongoing need for funds with the three chapels under renovation. It’s a huge financial undertaking and I wanted to give something back to the church and community.”
All donation envelopes can be returned at all parish masses, through Fr Jimmy McPhillips PP’s letter box or directly to Eamonn himself.
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