Frank Morning displaying a framed picture of Conor McGregor at Saturday’s fundraising auction.
By Dionne Meehan
ALMOST €70,000 was raised at a fundraising auction at the weekend which was organised in a bid to secure the future of St Columba’s Church in Drumoghill, Manorcunningham.
Considered by many as the “heart” of Drumoghill’s bright, caring and connected local community for almost 200 years, the building has fallen into a state of dilapidation in recent times.
From First Communions to Confirmations, marriages to deaths, one local parishioner said “if the walls of Drumoghill Chapel could talk, they would tell our community’s story”.
However, due to the deterioration of the chapel, parishioners have been forced to attend Mass in their local Resource Centre for the past year.
With restoration work now underway, auction organiser, Tony Morning said a “major” amount of work lies ahead.
“The chapel was in very bad shape for years, the walls were blistering so they had to gut the chapel completely.
“To be honest, I thought it might never be open again,” he said.
However, like many in the area, Tony has deep personal ties with the chapel.
With his mother and father buried in the adjoining cemetery, Tony said he wasn’t ready to see the chapel “laying derelict”.
Wanting to help out, Tony and his good friend Kieran O’Donnell organised an auction in order to help with the restoration.
With hundreds coming out to support the fundraiser on Saturday, Tony said he was both “overwhelmed” and “delighted” with the response.
“It means so much for Drumoghill Chapel.
“People came from Derry, Tyrone and all parts of Donegal.
“Everyone in the community worked hard to get this over the line,” he said.
Taking this opportunity to thank each and every person who helped out, Tony paid a special tribute to the tea ladies for their help in fundraising.
“I had €30,000 in my head and to come away with almost €70,000, we can be nothing but delighted with the whole thing,” Tony concluded.
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