'Vast project': Stonemasons doing God's work on €1.6m Limerick church renovation
SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Kilmallock is being restored for future generations
STONEMASONS continue to do God’s work in SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Kilmallock.
The vast restoration project, being carried out by local company, Costello Masonry Conservation Ltd (Stone Mad) was started four-and-a-half years ago by Fr David Casey and is being continued by Canon Michael O’Shea and Fr Chris O’Donnell.
Over €1m has been spent thus far with an estimated further €500,000 required before the works are completed in two years' time.
The front of the church is covered in scaffolding but it is holy business as normal inside. This isn’t a precedent as the church in south Limerick opened in 1889 despite not being finished. Construction started 10 years earlier in 1879.
Canon O’Shea said it is a beautiful church of cathedral standard.
“It is a historical building in a historic town. We already have two church ruins in Kilmallock so we need to preserve it for the future. It will be at the centre of our pastoral unit.
“We want to hand on this legacy to future generations and keep the faith alive in Kilmallock and surrounding areas,” said Canon O’Shea.
The canon said Fr Casey started the work originally because the plaster on the east wall and the pinnacle wall of the sacristy was crumbling.
“That means the water was getting in but wasn't coming out. To encourage breathability in the masonry, all the external cementitious pointing had to be removed and all stone work had to be repointed with lime mortar to alleviate moisture from the interior wall of the church.
“Then I came and the whole church really had to be repointed with lime mortar. So we had to remove this cement mortar that was done 50 / 60 years ago. It’s a massive job,” said Canon O’Shea.
The more investigating they did, the more issues they found like rotten timber beams in the bell tower having to be replaced and some of the ornate stained glass windows required releading.
Canon O’Shea estimates that by the end of this year, 70% of the work will be completed at a cost of around €1.1m. A further €500,000 will be required to complete the works in two years' time.
The priest is full of praise for Joe Costello, of Stone Mad, and his skilled staff.
“Joe has been amazing. He's a local man so Joe and his team have a sense of pride in the place. Joe is the fourth generation of stonemasons in the family. His great grandfather was involved in building the church. We're so glad that he’s doing it from the local point of view. There could be 15 men at some various stages involved in the project,” said Canon O’Shea.
He also wished to thank, on behalf of himself and Fr O’Donnell, everybody who has donated to the project.
“People have been incredibly generous. We are extremely grateful to local donors, local parishioners, those who have donated from various places and even from America, and to Limerick City and County Council. We are deeply appreciative and grateful for all the support,” said Canon O’Shea, who added that they still have a lot of work to do and all donations are very welcome.