Chai Brady
Fr Pat Mc Manus with Mary Collins, Audrey Kilgallon and Tony Garvey at the blessing of the new grotto at St Gabriel's Parish on Sunday. Photo: John Mc Elroy Parishioners of St Gabriel’s parish, Dollymount in Dublin flocked to the newly restored statue of Our Lady at the official opening after Mass on Sunday.
Several years ago the parish’s maintenance team were clearing out almost 60 years of abandoned items from the bell tower when they came across the very dilapidated statue.
Fr Pat McManus said that local artist Brendan Burke took on the restoration saying, “He took a model of the hands of our crib statue of St Joseph and worked from there, eventually being able to make and attach a perfect pair of hands. He then proceeded to research what needed to be done and what materials and paint etc. to use.
“Eventually the statue was moved down to our working sacristy and Brendan came to work on it, as time allowed, and with the help of his colleague here, Tom Kane, we all watched in awe as it took shape. Finally, it was so beautiful that everyone agreed it had to have a special place where everyone could see it and perhaps stop for a short prayer.”
Photos: John Mcelroy
