Restoration of the Holy year cross on Bere Island.

The Bere Island Holy Year Cross, which stands on one of the island’s highest points, was funded and built by the island people at home and away to commemorate the Holy Year of 1950. Fr Quane, the island parish priest at the time said the Holy Year Cross would “stand above the great bay and harbour as a memorial to all those born on the island.”

The cross cost £300 (approximately €380) to build and was funded with donations from islanders living at home and abroad. A plaque at the base of the cross reflects this. Mass is celebrated at the Holy Year Cross on the August Bank Holiday weekend, with many of the island diaspora returning for the occasion.

A recent survey of the Cross revealed cracks in the arms. Repair is urgent to prevent further

degradation.

The Cross Committee has embarked on a program to tackle this issue. The work will comprise

power washing the structure, cleaning out and pointing the cracks, and then applying a

breathable paint.

To get machinery up to the Cross, work on the last stretch of the road is necessary. A volunteer

has already come forward to do that job with his excavator. Another volunteer will be working on

the cracks.

Donations to pay for the materials will be most welcome.