Prayers have been answered for churchgoers in Renmore!

Prayers have been answered last week that public masses at St Patrick’s Garrison Church in Renmore would continue.

Plans to discontinue masses at the church have been abandoned following an outpouring of disappointment from committed attendees at the services.

The church, located at the entrance to Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa Army Barracks, has been in operation for almost 130 years and served as the main local church until the Church of St Oliver Plunkett was built in Renmore.

There was shock in the community when a notice was erected stating that last Tuesday’s mass was to be the final service and apologising for any inconvenience the news may cause.

However, after the intervention of local representatives, a spokesperson for the Army told the Galway City Tribune that ‘everything was back operating as normal’.

“Everything is back running the way it was. The priest is away in Lourdes at the moment, but there will be someone filling in when he’s away,” they stated.

Local area councillor Terry O’Flaherty (Ind) said she contacted the Officer in Command at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa after seeing the notice last Sunday week and said it had since been confirmed to her that the announcement was being reversed.

“When this was announced on Sunday, people were absolutely flabbergasted and disappointed – the church has been there for 128 years and is steeped in history.

“It’s used by people right across the city – not just from Renmore – because of its intimate setting. It’s a lovely small church and that has a certain appeal for people,” said Cllr O’Flaherty.

The church was a popular venue for weddings and baptisms for the same reason, said Cllr O’Flaherty.

“The Garrison Church has served this community very well over the years and it would be hugely disappointing to see that come to an end,” she said.

The Renmore-based councillor said she had suggested to the Army – which owns and operates the church – that the people who use the facility would be more than happy to get involved in its running and upkeep if that was an issue facing the chaplaincy.

“Some of the people who contacted me said that they would have no problem in helping out with the cleaning of the church and other duties. I have no doubt that if a call went out to get people involved in the Garrison Church, that this would be welcomed by the community and meet with a positive response.

“I have had so many calls over the past week and so many people were upset and disappointed, so it’s great news that it has been sorted. The Officer in Command deserves thanks for getting it solved,” she said.