Kilcar Parish Council hold positive talks on the future of Spaniards Church

Kilcar Parish Council have expressed their satisfaction at discussions that have taken place on the future of the Spaniards Church.

The group welcomed the team from Paul Doherty Architects, Donegal Town, where they talked about what the structure might be used for going forward.

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The Spanish Church refers to the ruins of an old chapel, also known as St Cartha's Old Church, which has a local legend connecting it to a shipwrecked Spanish sailor from the time of the Spanish Armada.

The site consists of the roofless, rectangular stone walls of a church built in the second half of the 18th century and rebuilt in 1985. It is located just off the R261 road between Carrick and Kilcar.

“We were also delighted to have Paul O'Hare Glencolmcille, our community consultant, Cllr Jimmy Brogan, Cllr Michael Boyle and Cllr Noel Jordan present with the Executive Committee of Kilcar Parish Council and membership in preliminary exploratory discussions around possible uses for the structure and site to benefit the community,” Comhairle Paróiste Chill Chartha posted.

“We are currently engaged with the trustees of the building, our funding partners and councillors with the prospect of establishing an Environmental Centre and Biodiversity Garden with expanded uses and supports for the community.

“Our next step, hopefully, is around a feasibility study, funded by LEADER. These are initial stages in the investigative process. We are looking forward to recommendations from our Architects. We also wish to thank Cllr Niamh Kennedy for her continued support over several years in relation to this project and also Cllr Michael Naughton. Our partners at Local Authority Waters Programme have been exceptionally supportive, Lisa McDaniel, Jimmy McVeigh and Andy Hallewell.”