Calls for 'mystery' of missing Athy bell from Dominican Priory to be solved

Concern is being voiced by a Co Kildare based County Cllr that a bell may have been removed from a 'protected structure without permission.'

Sinn Fein Cllr Thomas Redmond has mounted an online campaign calling for the mystery of the missing bell  at the Dominican Priory in Athy to be solved.

He said: "Mystery surrounds the removal of the Dominicans bell which was taken from a protected structure without permission. I was made aware by locals the altar was put to good use but there was concern the bell might have got into the wrong hands. This was confirmed today by the council who said they are concerned a third party has taken the beautiful bell without permission. A holy bell like this shouldn’t be anywhere other than its rightful home in the Dominicans Athy."

Meanwhile, Elaine Foley, parish secretary at St Michael's Church, Athy, is uncertain about the whereabouts of the bell but believes it was handed over to an individual before the closure of the Dominican Priory.

A new library in Athy is being built in the former Dominican Prior in the town.Environment, Community and Local Government Minister Alan Kelly has allocated €1.65m for the project.Last November the Dominicans held their last ever Mass in Athy as they left the town after 760 years.

The Dominicans arrived in Athy between 1253 and 1257 and have been located close to the River Barrow in the centre of the town since their arrival.