THE Friends of the Inniskillings Museum recently presented a cheque for £5,000 to the Very Reverend Kenneth Hall, Rector and Dean of Clogher, to support the current restoration project of Saint Macartin’s Cathedral.

The Regimental Chapel to the Inniskilling Regiments, which is located in the north aisle of the cathedral, was dedicated in 1970 and is very important to the regimental family, the community and visitors alike.

The Regimental Chapel is home to numerous memorial plaques and tablets, Regimental Colours and Standards, and a number of impressive stained glass windows.

The Book of Remembrance – which records all ranks of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers who were killed from 1815 to 1945 – is also of particular significance.

When they heard about the restoration project, the Friends of the Inniskillings Museum were united in their desire to contribute to the works, which includes major reroofing works and rebuilding some stonework.

Connections

Museum trustee, David Twigg, organised the fundraising campaign with the Friends of the Museum, and said: “The two oldest buildings in Enniskillen – the cathedral and the castle keep – have long and lasting connections with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

“The cathedral has been the spiritual home of the regiment for very many years, while the keep now contains the nucleus of our regimental collection.”

David continued: “The most recent addition to the Regimental Chapel is a stained glass window dedicated to the memory of all those men of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and 6th Inniskilling Dragoons who served in the First World War.

“It was dedicated in 2016 on the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.”

Dean Kenneth Hall added: “We are so grateful to the Friends of the Inniskillings Museum for their generosity and desire to see this restoration project proceed in order to protect this valuable heritage.”

The year 2022 will be the 400th anniversary of the appointment of the first rector of Enniskillen, and it is hoped to have the restoration work completed in time for a year of celebration.