Crosses reinstated at Athy church

There was a flurry of activity around St Michael’s Parish Church in Athy last week with three crosses returned to their homes.

Locals were delighted to see that the cross on the church tower which came down in a storm in December 2019 was reinstated now that the insurance claim is settled (the latter is according to a notice in a recent edition of the Parish newsletter).

The crosses over the front door and baptistery were also reinstated. A crane was brought on-site to facilitate the heavy lifting.

This work necessitated the closing of the front car park and part of the side car park from Monday 26 to Thursday 29 August inclusive; the Parish did their best to accommodate all those who attended the 9.30am Mass each day.

The accompanying beautiful photo, sent in by local woman Carmel Whelan, provides a vivid bird’s-eye view of the cross back in its rightful place, with the surrounding town stretching out in the distance.

Carmel, who said it’s great to see the crosses being restored and put back where they belong, explained that the photo is a drone photo that was sent to her to edit and share on her platforms.

The church was officially opened on 19 April 1964 by Most Rev. J.C. McQuaid, who was Archbishop of Dublin at the time.