A big thank you to Kildare Town from Grey Abbey Conservation Project.
The Grey Abbey Conservation Project have had the gates at Grey Abbey and Dunmurry cemeteries re-mounted and the gate at Grey Abbey has now been re-painted. Work was carried out by Gateworks under the close eye of Patrick Nolan.
This is just one example of how the group have been utilising funds from the sale of their publication Church of the Oak and from the collection boxes and Annual Church Gate Collection. The book proved to be so popular that they have had to re-issue another 300 copies as the initial print-run of 1,000 copies sold out. They are available locally in Kildare Town Heritage Centre, Malone’s newsagents and Kildare Parish Centre.
In 2007 they bought a new heavy-duty lawn mower and high-powered strimmer and have bought another such strimmer in 2008 – essential tools for the dedicated workmen who maintain Grey Abbey, St. Brigid’s Well and Dunmurry, as well as helping out in the parish grounds. 2007 also saw the unveiling of a monument to all those buried without record at Grey Abbey, which was financed by the group. The Civil War Monument was restored in late 2006 by the National Graves Association after a request from the group.
In partnership with Kildare Town Heritage Centre, Cill Dara Historical Society (their parent organisation), Kildare Cathedral and Kildare Village they have helped initiate regular weekend Historic Walking Tours in the town in 2007 and these will run again during the summer of 2008. One of the most important stops on the tour is the beautifully maintained Grey Abbey itself.
Their website www.kildare.ie/greyabbey is dedicated to the history and heritage of the town and now features over 170 articles and averages some 350 hits per week. Close associations with FÀS, Kildare Co. Council, Kildare Community Network and KELT have greatly benefited these projects but it is the local support that makes the group continue their efforts with such obvious satisfaction. The group would like to thank everyone who has supported and continues to support their efforts. A big thank you to Kildare Town.
Their Annual Church Gate Collection takes place on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 May and all support is welcome – the funds raised will again be put to good use and will help the group promote and preserve the rich and varied history of the Grey Abbey itself and Kildare Town as a whole. The group however could do with some help on the days in question and if anyone could help collect at any of the six masses they can contact Mario Corrigan at 086 8913274