Chapel plan for cancer centre

Plans have been lodged for the construction of a chapel, the final phase of development work at the dedicated daycare Clare 250 Cancer Centre in Ballygriffey Woods, near Ruan.

The application, lodged by Ennis architectural firm Paddy Coleman Consultant Engineers, is seeking planning permission for a three-aisle chapel, enclosed by a walled garden and separated from the main building.
John Dunne, the man behind the development, said the concept to separate the chapel from the day centre was to afford people quite time for prayerful reflection. He estimated this segment of the development would cost in the region of €300,000.
“Everything about the development is top class. It is aesthetically pleasing and is a reflection of the architectural ingenuity of Joe Hanrahan. The chapel fits into that bracket as well. It will have glass features as its centrepiece,” he outlined.
However, that project requires funding John doesn’t have just now.
“We haven’t taken any short corners with the development and we won’t start now. At the end of the day, what we’ll have will be unique, the only one of its kind in the country.
“Furthermore, we’ve said all along that we won’t undertake any part of the project where we have to go into debt. That philosophy still stands. Already, we’ve invested over €1.2 million and we don’t owe one cent,” he explained.
“Once planning is approved for the chapel, we will put the project out to tender. After that we will set about funding it from the receipts of our 2011 cycle.
“We are not opening a gate in Ballygriffey until everything is ready to go. The chapel and storage shed are the last of the planned building work. After that it will be installing the furnishings and finishing off the entrance road. When everything is in place, only then will we open the facility,” he said.