Approval secured as Derrybeg church rebuild moves to next phase

Plans are advancing for the rebuild of Teach Pobail Mhuire in Derrybeg, which was destroyed by a fire earlier this year.

A firm of architects with a long-standing reputation for Church designs is to be appointed after formal approval was received from Raphoe Diocese headquarters in recent days.

In the early hours of Easter Monday, April 21, a fire broke out and gutted the 53-year-old Church. Seven units of firefighters battled the flames, leaving parishioners heartbroken.

A series of fundraisers were launched in the immediate aftermath of the fire as locals rallied around. The balance of the fundraising account, Ciste Mhuire, stands at €466,630.

Gaoth Dobhair parish priest Fr Brian Ó Fearraigh has confirmed that an insurance claim will now be prepared and this will be the main source of funding for the new Church.

Masses in the parish have been held at St Colmcille’s Church in Cnoc Fola, St Patrick’s Church in Meenawell and the Church of the Sacred Heart in Dunlewey - but significant headway has made on a rebuild of the gutted Teach Pobail Mhuire.

The octagonal Church, officially opened in 1972, was one of the largest in the Raphoe Diocese.

Last week, the necessary approval from the Bishop’s office was given to the parish to move forward with the plans and Fr Ó Fearraigh thanked the Diocesan Administration, Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, for his assistance.

“This approval allows us to move forward to the next phase of our building project,” Fr Ó Fearraigh said.\

“It marks an important milestone in our journey to provide a new place of worship for our community. I want to thank you all most sincerely for your prayers, your support, and the patience you have shown throughout the process so far.”

Once the final terms of the contract are signed, Mullarkey Pedersen Architects will be appointed as architects for the project - an appointment that is endorsed by the Raphoe Diocese. The Diocesan Building Commission is where the Church’s authority and permission as regards the development of the new Church will come from.

Fr Ó Fearraigh said: “Mullarkey Pedersen Architects are widely respected for their thoughtful and innovative approach to church design, and they have shown, time and again, a deep understanding and strong experience in ecclesiastical architecture.”

A public consultation was held and a draft report has been received from MacDara Hosty Consulting.

The majority of respondents were very happy with the shape and layout of Teach Pobail Mhuire.

Most felt that, if the shape and layout of the new church were similar to the former Teach Pobail Mhuire, they would be content with that, while a sizeable number asked for a small, suitable prayer space - a quiet place for personal prayer which would be suitable for Holy Hours, Adoration and weekday Masses with smaller congregations.

Some others asked that an appropriate space be provided and connected to the main Church for children and young people to allow users fully take part in the celebration of Mass.

There was a strong emphasis that the new building must meet standards, including: proper internal toilets, an effective heating system, full accessibility for people with disabilities and older parishioners, suitable wheelchair access, and strong energy efficiency.

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The parish has asked that local contractors be involved as much as possible, “subject always to the usual quality, procurement, and financial considerations”.

Fr Ó Fearraigh added: “As we move forward, we do so with hope, and we look forward to working closely with Mullarkey Pedersen Architects as we shape the vision for the future of Teach Pobail Mhuire. Their task will be to design and deliver a modern place of worship, Teach Pobail Mhuire, an inspiring, practical, and welcoming sacred space; a spiritual home that will serve our parish community for generations to come.”