'˜Extremely powerful' Christmas Day lightning strike closes Donegal church

The Archdeacon of Raphoe, Ven. David Huss, has said Donegal Parish Church said the strike occurred during a violent thunderstorm on Sunday evening.

The strike blew out a number of electrical sockets and left the church without heat or light.

The ESB shut off the church’s power supply as a precaution and it won’t be restored until repair work has been completed.

The local Rector, Archdeacon Huss, said it was fortunate the lightning strike happened at 9.30 in the evening while the church was unoccupied.

“There is a lot of damage to the electrics,” he said, “but thankfully it didn’t start a fire and more importantly still no one was hurt.”

“Looking at it from a scientific point of view, it was an extremely powerful strike,” the Rector said. “Many people commented on the unusually bright flash and extremely loud clap of thunder. The church is the tallest structure in town so it became the focal point of the strike.”

Archdeacon Huss said he had received many expressions of support from across the community for which he was extremely grateful.

“Thankfully we have a great team in the parish and we will work together to get back on our feet as quickly as possible.”