Posted on: November 15, 2017 4:29 PM

The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, has paid a visit to Holy Trinity Anglican Church on the Errislannan peninsula in Connemara, County Galway, to see for himself the €70,000 (Euro, approximately £62,800 GBP) damaged caused by vandals on a wrecking spree. The Church was built by the Revd Richard Wall on land belonging to Errislannan Manor, which he acquired in 1850. But with the diminishing size of the estate – and its population – it was decided to demolish it in 1957. But four years later it was rescued by the Friends of St Flannan’s. It is now used for services in July and August to cater for the many visitors to the beautiful peninsula. But last month, vandals ransacked the church causes tens-of-thousands of Euros worth of damage.

The Provost of Tuam, the Very Revd Stan Evans, is priest-in-charge of Errislannon. He said that the interior of the church had been “extensively damaged by vandals”, adding: “we are horrified and saddened by this wanton destruction and we need emergency funding to first of all weatherproof the church and stop further damage being caused to the interior.

“Extensive damage was done to the church including the church Bible being thrown through a window and the pulpit being split in two. The altar rail was completely ripped from its fixings and thrown through the east window of the church and all lights were smashed. The organ in the church has been smashed beyond repair.”

The cost of repairing the church has been estimated at €70,000. A crowd-funding campaign has already raised nearly €25,000.

The Diocese of Tuam said that the visit by President Higgins was “a marvellous encouragement” to parishioners, neighbours and friends of the church, who “are still coming to terms with the hurt of finding their church broken and battered.”

The President – referred to in Ireland as Uachtarán na hÉireann – was guided through the church by Mr Evans, accompanied by the Cathaoirleach – or chair – of the local Galway County Council, Eileen Manion. Together they examined the interior of Holy Trinity in its present state which, “far from being restored, is now at least in a less chaotic condition than it was a fortnight ago,” the diocese said.

In addition to the President, support has come from a wide-ranging group of people, from television personalities to the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, Michael Neary. “This damage is not just a criminal act,” the archbishop told the Irish Times, “rather, it is an act motivated by anti-Christian sentiment and is a challenge to freedom of religious expression in Ireland today. Religious freedom is at the heart of human rights and not without cost.”

During his visit, President Higgins met with a group of people who will undertake the repairs and refurbishment, and spoke with Joan Johnson from the Friends of St Flannan’s. Ms Johnson is a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers), a body of Christians who have had a long connection with Errislannan.

“President Higgins was clearly moved by what he saw,” the Diocese said in a statement. “He expressed his compassion for the local community and offered words of great encouragement and support as they begin their work towards the day when Holy Trinity will once again be open for worship.”

Stan Evans commented: “The outpouring of support for the Church community in Errislannan following the vandalism at Holy Trinity church has been quite incredible. From small donations from pensioners, to whole congregations of all denominations raising funds across the country, our hearts have been lifted by this outpouring of generosity and solidarity. We thank everyone for their support.”

He vowed: “The church will be totally restored ready for the summer services and without doubt there will be large numbers of people who will wish to view the restoration.”

Photos of the damage by the Friends of St Flannan’s: