TR Dallas is performing in Kilbeggan tonight.

Concert this evening to help fund major refurb at Kilbeggan church

A number of the finest of the singers in the midlands will be hoping to raise the rafters at the parish church in Kilbeggan later this month – and to help heat, insulate and generally overhaul the building when they’re at it!

It’s not that John Hogan, TR Dallas and the Sheerins are planning to physically revamp the almost-50-year-old St James’s Church themselves, however – the artists are performing at a concert intended as a fundraiser for the renovation project that the parish has planned for the church.

The concert promises to be a night to remember: the Russian chanteuse, Larissa Tormey is singing, as are Ryan Turner and PJ Murrihy, reveals PP Fr Brendan Corrigan.

The incomparable Sheerins – Carmel, Clare, Tom and Joseph – are a big draw, and of course John Hogan, originally from Kilbeggan, and TR Dallas from Moate, are guaranteed crowd pleasers. The concert is taking place in the church itself at 8pm this evening, Thursday March 22.

Tickets are €15 each.

The main prize in a raffle taking place that night is a break away, sponsored by Joe Scally of the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney.
 

Renovation

“There’s a lot of work required to the church,” says Fr Brendan, explaining that it was very much a building of its time – the 1970s.
“It needs re-roofing, there’s ventilation required, the heating needs work,” he says, adding that the parish is also planning to give the church a new look from the outside.

“The Parish Pastoral Council, and the Parish Finance Committee have put a great deal of work into the project over the last two years and have received wonderful support from the parish. We have had many fundraising events, and there has been a great response to them all,” says Fr Corrigan.

“Patrick Weafer, Mullingar, is the architect; the contractor is yet to be chosen,” he continues, adding that the hope is that the renovation project can begin after Easter.

“The church will be closed for the summer and autumn and Masses will be celebrated in the Kilbeggan Parish Centre next door,” he says.

“While the renovations are in progress, funerals and weddings will take place in Rahugh and neighbouring churches.”

The parish is fortunate in having its parish centre, opened four years ago and a great success.

Like the planned church renovations, organisation of the construction of the parish centre was undertaken by the Pastoral Council, and the Finance Committee.

Since that opened there has been a number of catering committees set up, and after funerals, they cater for the mourners at the parish centre.

“This is a very much appreciated outreach of the parish to families at a difficult time,” says Fr Brendan.

“It is in constant use by young and old, and is a nice warm and cheerful environment,” Fr Brendan continues.

“We also have English classes for each week with Fáilte Isteach; we have Young at Heart, Pilates, scripture and prayer; bingo; youth liturgy; various community groups use it for meetings; and there is bowls.

“We are delighted it is playing such a big part in the community. Hopefully the renovation of the Church will have the same success.”

• Concert, St James’s Church, Thursday March 22. Tickets are €15 each.