By Dan Walsh
The renovated Fr. Murphy cottage at Boolavogue Visitors’ Centre which suffered thatched roof damage has reopened with an official ceremony involving Minister James Browne and Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach of Gorey Kilmuckridge District.
Speaking about the works, Padraig Sinnott Chair of the Fr Murphy Centre said that the condition of the cottage’s roof had deteriorated to an extent that the building was no longer accessible. Funding was sourced through Creative Ireland’s 225 Commemoration of the 1798 Uprising to complete the restoration. A new timber frame was installed to support the reed thatch that is traditional to county Wexford’s thatched buildings.
Padraig Sinnott thanked those involved in bringing about the renovation with special mention to Catherine McLoughlin, former Heritage Officer with Wexford County Council.
Cllr. Breen paid tribute to the Fr. Murphy Centre Committee and the work that is done on a voluntary basis to keep the Centre open. “I would like to thank the people of my home parish for their support in keeping this wonderful heritage project alive,” he added.
Minister of State James Browne TD also thanked the committee and the local councillors and officials of Wexford County Council their work in bringing the renovation project to completion.
The attendance included Deputies Paul Kehoe and Verona Murphy, Senator Malcolm Byrne, and Cllrs Mary Farrell and Oliver Walsh. The ceremony concluded with a rendition of the P.J. McCall classic Boolavogue.
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