News
MINISTER JOINS CELEBRATION OF HISTORIC GRAVEYARD RESTORATION PROJECT
Environment Minister, Sammy Wilson MP MLA, joined The Follies Trust at Knockbreda Parish Church in the Castlereagh Borough Council area on Thursday 25th June to celebrate the conservation of two listed mausolea within the historic graveyard, as well as the launch of a related publication, Knockbreda - its monuments and people.
The event marked the culmination of several years of hard work by The Follies Trust, a charity and all-Ireland building preservation trust, which has raised substantial funds through lectures, donations and grant aid to restore the 18th century Greg and Rainey mausolea. Both B+ listed structures were at serious risk due to disrepair but have now been saved for the benefit of present and future generations. They appeared in the Buildings at Risk Catalogue, Volume 7, together with the Waddell-Cunningham mausoleum which is still at risk.
The book, edited by Lydia Wilson, gives a fascinating insight into the people memorialised at Knockbreda - from merchant princes to paupers. It has contributions from Hugh Dixon, Prof James Stevens Curl, Dr Finbar McCormick, Nini Rogers and others. It is available free-of-charge and can be picked up from various outlets in the greater Belfast area, including the offices of the UAHS at Donegall Pass.
For further information on the work of The Follies Trust, and to see before and after photographs of the Knockbreda mausolea, visit their website: www.follies-trust.org