New use for church building

New use for church building

12 April 2023

A FORMER church in Downpatrick is to be transformed into an Irish language cultural resource centre.

The Irish language group, Cumann Gaelach Leath Chathail, recently purchased the former Methodist Church in Scotch Street.

Group treasurer Marcas Mac Ruairí said: “We intend to centralise our Irish language classes, events for adults and children and to provide a resource centre in the building.”

Cumann Gaelach Leath Chathail was established in 1980 and since then has been providing Irish classes, organising social events and supporting the Irish speaking community in east Down.

“Members of the Cumann were central to establishing Náiscoil Dhún Pádraig 

and the bunscoil that has since evolved into the Irish medium unit in Our Lady and Patrick’s Primary School,” Mr Mac Ruairí explained.

“The Irish language in east Down has enjoyed steady growth since the Cumann was established. We identified a number of years ago that it was the next logical step to have a centre of our own.

“There is some work to be carried out in the building to make it fit for purpose, so it will be some months before the resource centre actually starts operating.”

He added: “We would like to thank the Department of the Communities and the Irish Language Investment Fund that have made this development possible.

“Equally, over the many years of its existence, committee members have with contributions big and small each added to the strength we now enjoy,” he said.