Friends of St James' Dingle
The Friends of St James' Dingle is a voluntary non-profit organisation, formally registered as a CLG in June 2021.
Its main objective is to raise funds to conserve this historic church and graveyard and to enhance and secure its use in the 21st century as a shared spiritual cultural space and a valuable community resource.
Historic buildings require constant maintenance and repair and St James' Church is no exception. To conserve this iconic building and improve its facilities for the future over €600,000 is required.
The Friends of St James' Dingle are working hard to raise money to fund this project and are grateful for all donations received which may be made securely via PayPal.
February 2024
A chairde / Friends,
We hope this finds you well.
We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge your ongoing support and commitment to the St James’ Church Restoration Project and give you a status update on our activities and current challenges:
Some of you raised concerns about the recent removal of trees in the graveyard. The Friends of St James’ Dingle (FOSJ) had nothing to do with this.
Before publishing this news update, we asked the local church authorities for comment but didn’t receive any reply.
While the graveyard is looking much tidier and safer thanks to works carried out under the Town and Village Renewal scheme, the church building continues to deteriorate.
FOSJ’s main objective now is to get a long-term lease over the line with the
Representative Body of the Church of Ireland (RB), without which we cannot apply for capital funding and other support.
Both parties are agreed in principle that a lease should be in place at which time
both the planning permission and full responsibility for the project may be transferred to us.
Unfortunately, lengthy talks with the local church authorities, whose favourable written support is needed to make our case to the RB, are proving tricky.
Nonetheless the Friends of St James’ Dingle are hopeful that positive, solution-focussed dialogue will shortly resume for the sake of our much-loved building.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to getting the restoration project up and
running.
Le meas,
Alison | Philip | Ann
St James' Church Dingle Restoration Plans
In 2015, a survey of necessary structural work determined
that the church building needs attention throughout.
Immediate requirements to ensure the church’s future include:
-
Removal of woodworm and wet rot under the stage and altar area
-
Attention to windows due to rotting timbers and gaps in the mortar
-
Repairs to the roof tower and stairwell to the balcony
-
Electricity upgrade
-
Improved fire alarm and escape routes
Additional improvements will include:
-
Additional seating
-
A stage area
-
Water line into the building
-
A disabled toilet facility and small kitchenette
-
New heating system
Friends of St James' Dingle
Alison Groves
Director and Chair
Philip King
Director and Founder Other Voices
Ann Curran
Director
Ellie Roberts
Company Secretary
Dermot McLaughlin
Advisory Board
James Greany
Advisory Board
Martin Murphy
Advisory Board - Treasurer
Linda O’Neill
Advisory Board
Albert Walsh
Advisory Board
Shane Finn
Advisory Board - Dingle Peninsula Tourism Alliance
Rev Phyllis Jones
Advisory Board
Eric Prestage
Advisory Board
