By Róise Collins
THE community of Gaoth Dobhair have rallied together to support their beloved parish priest following a devastating fire over the Easter weekend.
In the early hours of Easter Monday, a fire completely destroyed St Mary’s Church in Derrybeg, a cherished landmark at the heart of the close-knit community.
As fire crews rushed to the scene, locals gathered at the cordon on the main road, bracing themselves as the unforgiving blaze tore through the roof.
When daylight finally broke the slow smouldering remains were revealed- no more than the steel spine of the building left standing.
The whole parish fell silent.
Now as the embers settle and the initial shock begins to fade, the community has pulled together not only rebuild the church but to ease the burden off their devastated parish priest, Fr Brian Ó Fearraigh.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Mary Coyle from Ionad Naomh Pádraig Dobhar shared how the much-loved priest has guided the community through tragedy and heartbreak.
“So it’s our turn to look after him now,” she said.
Mrs Coyle, who is also a close friend of Fr Ó Fearraigh, stood helplessly beside him as the church was engulfed in flames.
“We just stood and prayed.
“Cried and prayed,” she said.
A fundraiser has already seen tens of thousands of euros donated toward rebuilding the church, with over €40,000 raised in the first 24 hours.
Full coverage in today’s edition of the Donegal News.
Related posts:
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)