When the first Catholic Mass in more than 300 years is celebrated at St Nicholas's Collegiate Church in Galway on Sunday, it will mark a remarkable turn of the wheel in the history of the city.
The Church of Ireland building dates to 1320 when it was a Catholic church before the Cromwellian and Williamite historical changes of the 17th century.
Last month the Bishop of Galway, Dr James McLoughlin, gave his permission for weekend Masses to be held at St Nicholas's while the city-centre Augustinian church is closed for a nine-month renovation.
The first Mass to be celebrated at St Nicholas's since 1691 will be held at noon next Sunday, and a full attendance is expected.
The Catholic congregation will be able to attend three weekend Masses as St Nicholas's between now and December at 6.30pm on Saturdays and noon and 6.30pm on Sundays.
Parish priest of the Augustinian Parish, Fr Dick Lyng, has warmly welcomed the generous gesture of the Rev Patrick Towers and the Church of Ireland community in Galway in offering their church to them for the duration of the renovations.
