PRESS RELEASE
25 September 2009
Bishop Michael Smith to rededicate the Parish Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Dunboyne
Over the last year the parish church has undergone extensive refurbishment and renovation under the direction of the architect, Richard Hurley RHA. He has been involved in church architecture for over thirty years and has received numerous awards for church architecture. Simon Aloysius Leonard was the architect who designed the church.
The refurbished church contains a number of new artistic features. The new altar and ambo were sculpted by Tom Glendon. In these works, he has brought all of his creativity, craftsmanship and practical experience into play. The celebrant’s chair was designed by Ken Thompson and a new stained glass window in the baptismal chapel is by George Walsh. The artist, George Walsh, whose father, Stephen, designed the stations would ‘hope that after viewing the window, people would leave with some feeling of spiritual renewal.’
Parish priest of Dunboyne Monsignor Dermot Farrell said that “a church is much more than a roof to keep the rain off our heads at Mass. One day doesn’t give our church meaning. Our parish church is an expression, in architectural terms, of the religious life of our parish – a kind of sacrament of the faith of this parish and the dedication of our church is the dedication of its worshippers. My prayer for all the people of the parish of Dunboyne is that God may find an open door here, a sacred space where He can take up his abode in all, a silent space of welcome where all who come to Him may find always the open door of acceptance and hospitality.” Mgr Farrell has written a booklet Aspects of the faith history of Dunboyne which has been distributed to all the homes in the parish.
Further information
Martin Long 086 172 7678
