Colm Fitzpatrick
Killaspugbrone Church, Strandhill Strandhill, one of the most stunning seaside villages in Ireland, will be front and centre for this year’s St Patrick’s festival celebrations, as Mass for St Patrick’s day comes live from the Sligo location on RTÉ1 at 11am.
The village at the western edge of Sligo Bay has a close association with St Patrick, who is believed to have established a now-ruined church in the area.
The broadcasting team, led by Kairos Communications, have been hard at work with the unique challenge of the church building leading to the decision to use specialised film industry balloons to light the interior. The church, which is dedicated to St Patrick has been renovated over the years and the influence of the ancient site at Killaspugbrone is evident throughout the church in its decoration and in the words of Patrick sculpted into the walls.
“Strandhill church is a beautiful setting for the Mass and we really want to do justice to it,” said producer Fr Finbarr Tracey. “Working along the Wild Atlantic Way for St Patrick’s day is a treat for all the crew as Strandhill is such a spectacular backdrop for the day.”