Welcome to the Bardic Theatre
Season of Goodwill - 19th Century Diary Sparks Modern Day Church Contribution
Over 200 years ago, a contribution of £20 was made from Donaghmore’s Church
of Ireland to its neighbouring Roman Catholic Church towards church repairs.
This gesture was returned this week in modern day values as young representatives
from Bardic Theatre, St Patrick’s Youth Club and St Patrick’s GFC Donaghmore
presented a cheque of £5000 to Rev Peter Thompson towards the repairs
of the Church of Ireland.
The donation of £20 towards the Roman Catholic Church repairs in 1806 would no doubt have been a worthy gesture in its day when the average national wage was two and a half pence per day and a two bedroom house could be built for £6. The village of Donaghmore had a brewery and mill at the time, and a horse (which was as important as a car today) cost £3 according to John McEvoy’s book, A Statistical Survey of County Tyrone in 1802.
The £5000 contribution was sparked this week by the discovery of a record in the History of St Michael’s Church by Captain Frazer A. Burgess who accounted the financial records and other information in a diary style entry, stating “To repair the RC Chapel at Donaghmore, £10” on 7th April 1806.
The returned gesture was made possible with the help of a private benefactor who asked youth members of the gaelic football club, theatre group and youth club to make the presentation.
Donaghmore Upper Parish Church faces the shared theatre, youth and GAA grounds at Church View in Donaghmore.
Ends…
Rev Peter Thompson receiving the Donation from representatives of Bardic Theatre, St Patricks Donaghmore Youth Club and St Patricks Donaghmore GFC.