1996/99
For up to date news visit the Connaught Telegraph website.
IVAN THE GREAT
15 October 1997
Congratulations go out this morning to big hearted Castlebar citizen, Ivan Browne, who has been appointed caretaker of the 92-year old clock in the tower of Christ Church, Castlebar.
Ivan Browne undertook extensive studies to get background on the timepiece which had been out of action for twenty years.
Now it chimes proudly over the county town and shows that there is life again in the 258-years old Church which caters for just a handful of Church of Ireland parishioners.
The painstaking research led him to clockmakers John Smith of Derby who originally installed the clock in Castlebar.
And Ivan worked with experts from the company in getting the clock working again and all in a voluntary capacity which turned into a labour of love.
The restoration of the clock is but the start of a major £200,000 facelift which is planned for Christ Church which has fallen into disrepair over the years.
It is a very imposing and historical building and is one of the oldest structures in the town of Castlebar.
Part of the planned restoration is the conversion of the clock tower into a tourist viewing attraction.
Ivan Browne, and the 'e' is most important, is a former Connaught Telegraph employee who has always been gifted with his hands.
His work on the clock is a typical example of the cross-community support there is for the restoration project and the Church of Ireland parishioners.
Indeed local Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Paddy Curran was one of the first to lend his support to the Christ Church cause.
Ivan will have the task of maintaining the clock and of winding it every seven days. We wish him the health to do so for many years to come.
