Kildare's Round Tower is open for visitors again after essential works
The Round Tower at Saint Brigid's Cathedral has re-opened to visitors.
The attraction will be open in the month of August into early September, when conservation works will resume.
Kelley Bermingham of the Kildare Centre of Mission based at St Brigid's Cathedral said:
"After a long hiatus, we have just announced the re-opening of the Irish Round Tower at Saint Brigid's Cathedral.
"Apart from Covid-19 impact, we have had some essential conservation works going on, and will now be open for the month of August into early September, when conservation works will recommence.
"Our wonderful veteran volunteer of 23 years standing is the retired army Sgt Paddy Dowling.
"He and his late wife came to support the work in the Cathedral so many years ago. We are delighted to have Paddy on the team in Saint Brigid's Cathedral - he really is an integral part of the team, and is known to many who come to see us, often receiving cards and mementos from pilgrims all over the world thanking him for his kindness and sharing of the history of this ancient site. See images attached with information.
"Groups are advised to pre-book. "
Kelley also reported on other news:
The Very Revd Isobel Jackson was instituted as Dean of Saint Brigid's Cathedral at a special service which was wonderfully attended in July. Since arriving Dean Isobel and her family have been getting acquainted with the local area and are settling into the Deanery in Newbridge which is next to Saint Patrick's National School.
Our 2023 Choral and Organ Festival continues on Saturdays at 6pm. This Saturday Aug 5th will see a performance by Thomas Charles Marshall (Organist and Musical Director) with Bogdan Şofei on violin. - see eventbrite for more information and ticketing. A new concert has been announced for August 23rd featuring a performance on organ and cello by Ekaterina Melnikova and Nikita Kochergin (Organ and Cello).
- The first event in the Choral and Organ series was 22.July.2023 - a special Centenary Celebration, reimagining a 1923 event when 300 people sang a service of Choral Evensong. A large group of people gathered to learn the music, get to know each other, have lunch and then perform for the service which was magnificent. We then invited all in attendance to join us for a 'sumptuous feast' reminiscent of the 1923 occasion. A book with the signatures of all involved in the day was presented to Cllr Padraig McEvoy, Chair of the Decade of Commemorations Committee, who were so gracious as to provide a grant to support the running of the event. Mr Peter Whyte was so kind as to donate a new composition - 'Brigid, the exalted one' to the Cathedral for the occasion and this had its premiere at the event held on July 22nd. A video of highlights is available on our YouTube channel and on social media, thanks to videographer Brian McIvor. To acknowledge Peter's significant contribution to the special occasion a gift crafted locally at DeBruir Leather Atelier was presented by local historian, Mario Corrigan who is the Senior Executive Librarian at Kildare Library and Arts Services - a huge support to us in our work. We hope the DeBruir gift holds many more compositions by Mr Whyte! Kildare County Council and teh Dept of Tourism, Culture have been most generous in their support of the festival this year which has made so much of a difference to the working group.
- Heritage week 12- 22 August is expected to be busy and we are finalising some exciting arrangements - keep an eye on our social media channels - Instagram and Facebook for more information.
- Sundays Services are held at 11.30am and all are welcome.