Faithful raise huge sum as church gutted by Easter blaze
Over €28,000 was raised in just a few hours towards the repair of a beloved church that was gutted by a fire on Easter Sunday.
St Mary's in Derrybeg, Co. Donegal, was burnt to a crisp in the blaze. The fire left the modern-style church completely gutted and the roof destroyed.
Nearby homes had to be evacuated as fire crews fought the blaze. No one was injured, and Gardaí put a cordon around the building while the fire was brought under control. St Mary's Church in Bunbeg, Co Donegal. Pic: File
A Garda spokesman said: 'The scene has been preserved for technical examination. Enquiries are ongoing.'
A technical examination of the scene has not yet been completed, so gardaí have not confirmed the cause of the fire.
In a post on X, local Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty said: 'Chroíbhriste' (heartbroken).
Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland Eamon Martin also responded to the news, posting: 'Our hearts and prayers go out to An t-Athair Brian Ó Fearraigh [Father Brian Ferry], the people of Gaoth Dobhair and Donegal.
'A sacred space with so many memories – may God surround you with love and comfort.'
Chroíbhriste 💔 pic.twitter.com/SuFXB70jvq — Pearse Doherty (@PearseDoherty) April 21, 2025
A public appeal for €50,000 to cover the cost of repairs had raised €28,478 last night.
Local woman Mary Coyle, who organised the fundraiser on GoFundMe, said the church had been full on Easter Sunday as the parish gathered 'to joyfully celebrate with hope the Easter liturgies of the Resurrection'.
She wrote: 'Sadly, our parish is in mourning. Our beloved church, St Mary's in Derrybeg, burned to the ground in the early hours of Easter Monday morning. This is a deeply tragic event that strikes at the heart of our community.
'We are asking for your help to rebuild our church with a renewed hope for a brighter future. Any support, big or small, is greatly appreciated.'
The fundraiser was started yesterday at lunchtime with a €5,000 donation from Coiste Forbartha Dhobhair, a community-led development group based in the Gaeltacht area of northwest Donegal.
It was followed by scores of donations, which ranged from €10 to €500. The modernist church was officially opened in August 1972 and cost €180,000 – a huge sum at the time.
The blaze was tackled by five fire brigade units
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