A new book on the restoration of one of the country's most famous churches was launched last week.
The book entitled, Holycross, The Awakening of The Abbey, tells the story of the restoration in the 1970's of the Cistercian Abbey.
The book, by former Holycross curate and historian Willie Hayes, deals mainly with the restoration of the Abbey Church in the 1970's.
The staff that took on the great challenge of restoring it is also well recorded, as is the huge community involvement of the parish.
The book captures the magnitude of the task that the restoration of the 12th/15th century Church presented and how it was all accomplished by local craftsmen and workers.
It also details the huge work that had to be done in political circles to allow the church to be renovated.
Under the Irish Church Act in 1896, 137 churches were transferred to state ownership and under the terms of the Act, were not allowed to be used as places of worship.
The restoration committee under Willie Hayes successfully managed to get this law changed in what later became known as the Holycross Bill.
The book also highlights the parish involvement in the decision to restore the church, in the massive fund-raising drive, and in preparing for and celebrating the official opening of the restored Abbey.
Later developments at the Abbey are also included, and the publication also gives accounts of the restorations of the Abbey's West and East wings and the establishment of the prayer garden and riverside walk.
The book was launched on Wednesday November 23 at Saint Michael's Community centre that served as the parish Church in Holycross village until the Abbey was restored.
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