Launch this Friday of new book on 200-year-old St Brendan's Church in Birr

A new book is being launched tomorrow (Friday) evening to mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of St Brendan's Church in Birr.

Pastoral council chairperson Brian Kennedy is the author of the book about the history of the building, which is entitled, A Place in All Our Hearts.

On August 1 last, the church celebrated the bicentenary of its completion. Over 20 decades it has been at the centre of life for the Roman Catholic population of Birr parish.

It was one of the first Irish Roman Catholic churches to be completed on such a scale since the relaxation of penal laws.

Brian Kennedy is well-known local historian and teacher who was chairperson of Birr Historical Society for over 10 years.

Many locals will remember him from their days in St Brendan’s Community School, where he has taught English and History for over three decades. He studied History, English, and Philosophy at UCD where he subsequently obtained his Higher Diploma in Education.

The new book, with a myriad of pictures of the building, will be launched in St Brendan's Church, by Bishop Fintan Monaghan, this Friday, November 29, at 7.30 pm.

The launch will take place in the context of an ecumenical service to mark the Feast of St Brendan of Birr, to whom the church is dedicated.