Portlaoise Parish have gone back in time somewhat to open up a section of the church grounds as a garden area.
For years the two gardens either side of the grotto haven’t been easily accessible but in recent time they have broke through the walls and placed steps up to the gardens.
And within the two gardens they have placed garden seats which have been made by Pat Kinsella, the engineer who worked on the renovation of the church back in 2008.
“The time we were doing up the church, Pat took away a load of old radiators and doors and has used his skills to make them into four garden benches,” says Monsignor John Byrne. “It was the catalyst for us to open up that area of the church grounds.
“We have two gardens there either side of the grotto and it allows people come in and sit down in an area like that in the centre of the town. People like sitting down in parks but they generally aren’t in the town centre.
“We were always looking for a way to use that area in the church and this now is ideal.”
The grounds of the Portlaoise church welcome a large number of people throughout the week between their busy mass schedule and a thriving parish centre.
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