After remedial work, the derelict church in Lough Key Forest Park has reopened to the public.
In 2017 the management of Moylurg Rockingham DAC, who manage Lough Key Forest & Activity Park, were successful in their application for two different heritage funding amounts for the old Rockingham church from Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs:
1) Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2017 – €9,215
2) Structures at Risk Fund 2017- €8,000.
According to general manager Louise Fitzpatrick: “Both grants had to be match funded in order to receive them. It was a positive step forward to see Moylurg Rockingham DAC in a position to be able to match fund such important work in helping to repair and restore the Church”.
“We have taken the first significant step towards saving the Rockingham Estate Church and work is now complete on this stage. I am delighted to be able to reopen the church to the public and to showcase the progress made in saving this important part of our heritage and the heritage and story of the Rockingham Estate”.
“We would not have been able to complete this work without the help from:
- Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs under the ‘Built Heritage Investment Scheme’
- Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for a conservation grant under the ‘Structures at Risk Fund’
- Nollaig Feeney – Heritage officer with Roscommon County Council
- Patrick Dunne – Architect B.Arch MRIAI – who assisted with the grant application forms and engineering specs for the works.
- David Keane – Southgate Associates – Consultant Structural Engineer.
- Special thanks also to Nicholas Prins Building conservation – who completed the works with such careful detail and understanding of the structure.
(pics and words courtesy Lough Key Forest and Activity Park)
