Phyllis Jones writes:
Since coming to look after the churches on the Peninsula, St. James has become very close to my heart. It is an iconic church, renowned worldwide, much due to it being the venue for ‘Other Voices’ over the past 16 or 17 years. It has been a platform for a number of talented young people, many of whom have gone on to become very successful and famous. Yet it still excites those who are chosen to perform there to this day.
It is very much at the heart of the Dingle Community and, throughout the year, plays a role in the many festivals for which Dingle is famous. Visitors come especially to see the church and, throughout the year, hundreds of people experience the ambiance and spiritual presence of this special place.
Which leads me to say that first and foremost, St. James is a place of worship. It attracts Pilgrims walking the Dingle Way, as well as its pilgrimage links to Santiago de Compostella. Pilgrims from Spain in Medieval times were thought to have been instrumental in building the church and, in the following years, many pilgrims set out from Dingle on spiritual journeys to Santiago de Compostella.
St. James was rebuilt in 1808 and, like many old buildings, is in need of repair and restoration – the cost of which will be in the region of €500,000. To launch the fund-raising and to raise awareness of the project, on 1st May 2018, I will be rekindling our links to St. James of Santiago, and walking the last 116km of the Camino in Spain. St. James Church, restored and improved, will continue to serve God and the community into the next century. I am most grateful for all the encouragement and support I have received and, if you would like to sponsor me on my journey, please donate as follows:
On line at ifundraise.ie St. James, Dingle
By cheque: made payable to Kilgobbin Church Dingle Union (and marked on the back ‘St James Restoration Fund’)
c/o The Reverend Phyllis Jones
The New Rectory
Camp, Tralee, Co. Kerry. V92 W0Y5
By direct debit: Bank of Ireland
Name: Kilgobbin Church Dingle Union
IBAN: IE85 BOFl90583829817452
BIC: BOF11E2D