Every little helps.

The residents of Castletownbere are hoping that people who have fond memories of holidays on the Beara Peninsula will contribute to an important new project in the seaside town.

A Go Fund Me campaign has been started to  help refurbish St Peter’s, the former Church of Ireland parish church, as a community events centre.

Anyone who wants to help out and make it happen can sponsor a slate on the roof for €25. Local students hope to see St Peter’s operate as a concert venue, a theatre, a cinema and an activities centre, among many other uses.

St Peter’s was acquired by Castletownbere Development Association (CDA) on behalf of the local community in 2017. The grounds of St Peter’s have since been restored in partnership with Cork County Council, and are now in daily use as a community garden and meeting place.

In October, the CDA was awarded €45,000 in CLÁR funding towards refurbishing St Peter’s, and work will begin on re-roofing the premises in February, 2025.

“We must also raise €150,000 ourselves.” the group explained.

“As we launch our fundraising campaign for St Peter’s, our first goal is to raise €50,000 towards Phase 1: Re-roofing and securing the exterior of the premises. We ask all our supporters – in Beara and beyond – to contribute to our Sponsor a Slate Campaign!”

There are more than 3,000 slates on the roof. The CDA is inviting its supporters to donate €25 to Sponsor a Slate here or donate directly to the CDA St Peter’s account at AIB: IBAN IE67AIBK93627805540398.