Major restorations now underway around iconic Tipperary landmark

Patsy Maher, son of Máiréad and direct descendant of Kennys the Masons, who built Copper Steeple, took on the voluntary

groundwork for the Ballingarry Copper Steeple.

Patsy and his crew started work at 7am on Saturday, September 21, and by midday, a site access roadway and new level hard-standing around the base of the steeple were in place.

Patsy is delighted to be an essential part of the Copper Steeple project which he says: "Is in memory of his family and the heritage of the area."

Saving Copper Steeple is about honouring and remembering our ancestors.

The Ballingarry community and surrounding areas have shown this through this summer of donating and fundraising.

The Copper Steeple project fundraising efforts are now finished, the fundraising targets have been met, and the organisers wish to thank everyone for their contributions, whether large or small.

Every euro raised will be used on the restoration work this autumn.

The ESB has moved the poles to prepare the site and Patsy is now finishing the groundworks.

The next stage will be the scaffolding and Tom Pollard’s restoration of the stonework.