2 September 1998

The founder of the House of Prayer on Achill Island, Mrs. Christina Gallagher is to re-open it and run it on a private basis.

Mrs. Gallagher engaged in what became a public dispute with the Archdiocese of Tuam earlier in the year and then made the shock announcement in July that she was closing the Centre down.

Now, however, the Knockmore born housewife has indicated that the House of Prayer will re-open on Tuesday next, September 8th, the Feast of Our Lady.

Although Mrs. Gallagher, who is claimed to be a "visionary", is refusing to comment, all the indications are that the Centre- which attracted an estimated 10,000 pilgrims annually- won't be under the control of the Archdiocese of Tuam.

In a RTE "Would You Believe" TV programme, to be broadcast at the end of this month, says she will be running the Centre in a private capacity.

In the interview, filmed at the weekend, Mrs. Gallagher refuses when pressed to elaborate on whether she will be conforming to the strict operating conditions laid down by the Archdiocese earlier this year.

In July, Mrs. Gallagher said changes were being forced on the House of Prayer without consultation and she was deeply unhappy and stressed over this.

In the past 12 months, the Archdiocese has sought to assert its authority over the running of the Centre and take control of its financial affairs.

Since January, Masses and sermons at the House of Prayer have been stopped and confessions discontinued much to the displeasure of some pilgrims.

Yesterday (Tuesday), Fr. Brendan Kilcoyne, Secretary to the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr. Michael Neary said the Archdiocese had been informed that the Centre would be re-opening.

They were, however, still unclear of the conditions under which the House of Prayer would operate.

In the "Would You Believe" programme to be screened later this month, Mrs. Gallagher becomes quite emotional, according to a programme producer.

Asked questions by the TV reporter about allegations that she is vastly wealthy because of the House of Prayer, which she opened in 1993, Mrs. Gallagher denies this and points out that she lives humbly and is the driver of a family type, Opel Vectra, car.

Business interests on Achill, particularly in the Achill Sound area, are jubilant that the House of Prayer is to re-open because of the coach loads of tourists which boost the economy of the area on an all-year round basis.

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - September 1998