Life & Style

St Fechin's Church up for sale in Termonfeckin - the Irish home town of Father Ted's co-creator

FECK! This 18^th century church in the home town of one of Father Ted’s co-creators has gone on the market in Ireland.

The property has already had interest from Britain with investors looking to stake a claim in the Republic as Brexit talks rumble on.

St Fechin’s Church (pronounced ‘Feckin’) was built around 1792 in Termonfeckin, Co. Louth but has been closed since 2010.

The house of worship is being sold by current owners the Church of England, who also own a bigger church in the village.

On the market for €130,000, the 1,700 sq feet property sits on 0.5 of an acre and still has all its original features.

The church could be converted for commercial use

But those who might fancy living the religious life at home might have to think again – it’s unlikely the church will be given planning permission for residential use.

“There is a good bit of interest mainly from people looking to convert it into residential, which wouldn’t be allowed,” said sales negotiator David Threadgold of Sullivan Property Consultants.

“But it would either be commercial, office space, or it could be used for a meeting hall.

The Essex native added: “It’s down to Louth County Council, their planning, it’s a protected building so as yet people have spoken to them but no one has put in an application.”

Not your traditional hallway - take a walk down the altar

With the graveyard that surrounds the church still in use, the agents said the property lends itself to housing a small business such as an architect or consultancy practice.

“There’s plenty of parking there for clients to come and go or it would be ideal as a community hall,” Mr Threadgold said.

“It’s quite an attractive building. We’ve had a lot of interest from the UK, investors coming over who might consider a property to turn to commercial and then lease it out.

He added: “Since the Brexit situation there are people, even in Northern Ireland as well, looking to have an investment in the south.”

Termonfeckin itself has plenty of notable claims to call its own.

Father Ted co-creator Arthur Mathews lived in the village after his father moved the family there on his retirement so he could play golf at nearby course Baltray.

The church - designed by Francis Johnston - is also distinguishable by its rectangular-plan nave and three-stage square-plan broached spire.

A pointed arch door opens up to the tower, designed later by Samson Jervis, from where you can see the vertical and horizontal gravestones and the church’s high cross – pointing to it ecclesiastical history and importance.