Archival RTÉ footage looks back at reopening of Tullamore church in 1986

The reopening of Tullamore's Church of the Assumption four decades ago was captured in footage shared this week by RTÉ Archives.

A contemporary news report of the church's reopening showed the church packed to capacity for its dedication ceremony after it had been rebuilt at a cost of more than £2 million.

The previous church was described as "one of the finest examples of gothic architecture in the country", but was almost completely destroyed by fire in October 1983.

The modern interior of the rebuilt church included an altar donated by the Offaly Association of New York.

The papal nuncio and several bishops attended the dedication of the new church in August 1986, with the service led by the auxiliary Bishop of Meath, Dr Michael Smith.

Last Saturday evening, a special Mass to mark the 40th anniversary of the reopening was celebrated by the current Bishop of Meath, Tom Deenihan.

The 1986 RTÉ report on the reopening of the church can be viewed on the RTÉ Archives website HERE.