Concert to raise funds for church restoration

The Tullamore Presbyterian community are hosting a special thanksgiving concert with country and gospel singer James Kilbane at St Catherine’s Church, Hophill, Tullamore on Sunday, October 14 starting at 5pm.

This will be a very special early evening concert to help necessary fundraising efforts for the local Presbyterian Church repair fund in the town as the church is in very serious need of repair.

The Presbyterian community in Tullamore was founded in 1856 due to an influx of whiskey workers into the area and they originally met in the hall of the Methodist Church. Nine years later the Presbyterian church was built in 1865. A further two small extensions of a school and kitchen were built in later years.

The church population has changed over the time, however, in the last decade the community is once again experiencing growth. The church community continues make a mark locally working with parent and toddler groups, helping refugees and playing host to various community and church groups. This local work has given a new life and vitality in Tullamore Church and town. However the Presbyterian Church building is over 150 years old and is in serious need of repairs to make sure that it remains safe and fit for purpose as a place of worship and a resource for the local community.

The church is also a listed building and the cost of repairing this local historic structure will be very high. The Presbyterian church community in Tullamore have been contributing to repairs however they are now reaching out to the wider Christian family and friends both near and far for help. The local Church of Ireland community and rector Rev Isaac Delamere are kindly making available for the Presbyterian community the use of St Catherine’s Church in Hophill, Tullamore to hold this evening fundraising concert by gospel singer James Kilbane on Sunday, October 14 at 5pm and support from all churches and traditions is encouraged and will be grately appreciated for this fundraising event. '

Since 2004, and RTE's 'You’re a Star' programme, James Kilbane has released a total of thirteen successful albums reaching multi-platinum sales. He is a well known voice on radio, television and interent with his country and Christian music.

His music is today growing far and wide in such countries as Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South America as well as America, the United Kingdom and Canada. Kilbane’s home grown approach attracts many from every walk of life and many traditions.

Currently Kilbane’s latest album is 'The Family Collection' and he presents a regular Sunday afternoon Gospel music programme on SKY televison. The upcoming Tullamore Thanksgiving concert will include many of his family songs including There is a place, Mama’s Roses, Because He Lives, The Richest Man, The Nazarene Song and so many more great songs.

To enjoy this evening thanksgiving concert with James Kilbane and the Tullamore Presbyterian Church then donation tickets are €15 and are available from outlets including Trax in Tullamore and Fingerboard in Mucklagh, the concert organising committee or by calling 085 1476929.

Church access for the concert will be from 4.30pm with the concert event starting at 5pm. This is an event is not to be missed!