John Sisk and Son Ltd on Friday, celebrated 100 years since the building of St. Patrick’s Church, Newport. The occasion was marked with a Mass celebrated by Fr. Tod Nolan PP at St. Patrick’s Church, followed by a reception at the Castlecourt Hotel in Westport.
Speaking at a reception in the Castlecourt Hotel in Westport, Hal Sisk, whose grandfather John V Sisk built St Patrick’s, said: “On behalf of the Sisk family, I am delighted today to celebrate the centenary of St Patrick’s Church, Newport - a building of local and national significance. When Sisk built this magnificent church overlooking Newport 100 years ago, Ireland was a very different place. Nowadays the major contracts are motorways, bank buildings, massive pharmaceutical plants, and cloud data centres.So, it is great to celebrate Sisk’s presence in the West and the enduring craftsmanship displayed in such churches, and none more so than St Patrick’s of Newport.”
Referencing the historical significance of St Patrick’s Church, local historian Joe McDermott said: “St Patrick’s Church on Barrack Hill dominates the town of Newport. The church was erected by John Sisk & Son at the request of the then Parish Priest, Very Rev. Canon Michael McDonald - who was responsible for the building of the oratory on the summit of Croagh Patrick. While it was built 100 years ago, many people still come to admire this incredible church. The renowned ‘Last Judgement’ east window by Harry Clarke is always a big draw, but the church itself has a fascinating history, and its many features, including the superb western doorway and the beautifully restored altar, make it well worth a visit.”
Stephen Bowcott, CEO of John Sisk & Son, said, “It is a great pleasure to be able to celebrate 100 years since Sisk built St. Patrick’s Church, Newport. Today is also about celebrating our more recent activity in the West of Ireland, including achievements going back 30 years such as the original Allergan Factory in Westport, the Coca Cola plant in Ballina, and other big names like Hollister, Baxter, as well as the hospital in Ballina, the Ice House hotel and many more. Today we are currently working on the fit out of new Allergan facilities and recently completed work in Eyre Square in Galway. The West of Ireland has always been an important region for our business and will continue to be so in the future.
“I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of Sisk staff over the past one-hundred years in delivering projects across Ireland, especially in the West of Ireland. John Sisk & Son is indebted to their decades of service which has contributed to the success the business has achieved over many years,”
