After an absence of over 20 years, the chimes of the bell from Wexford town friary could be heard in the town again this week. Following painstaking restoration works, the chimes of the near three tonne friary bell can now be heard for the angelus each day at noon and at 6:00pm, as well as on special occasions.
Chicago born Brother Donald of the Grey Friars of the Renewal, is the chief bell ringer and the prime mover in it's restoration.
The friary approached the locally-based Richard Browne builders in Wexford town to carry out the restoration work.
When the builders started the work in the bell tower, they were met with broken windows and bird droppings splattered across the floor.
When asked by the Wexford People if the role of a bell ringer was a tough one, Br Donald jokingly claimed, “it took a while to get into the swing of things.”
The Grey Friars of the Renewal took over the running of the Wexford Friary in 2007 after the last four Irish friars moved to a different friary.
The friary has been in existence in Wexford town for over 750 years.
SIC: CIN