Ardagh parish celebrates church renovation

Papal nuncio leads weekend celebrations in Co. Longford parish

The results of six months of major renovation work in the parish of Ardagh and Moydow in Co. Longford was celebrated at the weekend with the blessing of Our Lady’s Church, Moydow and the rededication of St Brigid’s Church in Ardagh. 

Bishop Francis Duffy of Ardagh and Clonmacnois celebrated the blessing of the church and community centre in Moydow on Saturday evening. On Sunday, St Brigid’s Day, the papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown presided at the rededication ceremony of St Brigid’s Church assisted by Bishop Duffy, Bishop Emeritus Colm O’Reilly and priests of the diocese.

Ardagh is a heritage village and the diocesan bishop resided there, beginning with St Mel, until the 11th Century. St Brigid is the patron and many members of the congregation brought St Brigid’s crosses to the ceremony to be blessed.

Archbishop Brown was welcomed to the parish by a guard of honour of Communion and Confirmation children from Scoil Bride and St Mel’s National School. The nuncio said that as he came through the doors of the church the beauty of the sanctuary had “taken my breath away”.

Members of the parish were involved in all aspects of the community celebration and the choir received a special round of applause for its contribution.

The parish priest, Fr Pat Lennon said the weekend celebrations were a real community effort and had done the parish proud. “This is what parish is all about. This is what makes parish meaningful,” he said.

The three bishops planted a tree in the grounds of the church after Mass, and joined parishioners for refreshments in the newly renovated parochial house.