A campaign has been launched to help renovate the tower and spire of a Church of Ireland church built in Donegal town in 1828.
The Donegal Parish Church in the centre of the town is said to be one of its most iconic landmarks, visited by thousands of tourists every year.
According to the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe, the interior of the church has been largely unaltered since 1889, although the tiled floor was painstakingly restored in 2015.
Now, the tower and spire need attention.
The mortar between the stones has failed, allowing damp to penetrate the structure and damage the stonework.
In some places, the mortar is up to 90% defective and flakes of stone are beginning to come loose from the tower.
Urgent action is needed to repair the stonework and to repoint the tower and spire.
Archdeacon of Raphoe, Venerable David Huss, says it is specialised work, which comes at a price.
"The cost of the entire repair project is estimated at €150,000," Archdeacon Huss says.
"To our great disappointment, we were recently turned down by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for a grant under the Structures at Risk Fund.
"To date we have received no funding from local or national government, although we continue to explore these avenues and to engage with our local elected representatives and grant-making bodies."
The parish is organising a number of fundraising activities over the coming months, details of which are available on the parish's new Facebook page, 'Save Our Spire Donegal', which will also have details of how donations can be made.
Archdeacon Huss said: "Any support will be greatly appreciated. Together we can ensure that this much-loved landmark stands tall and continues to serve the community for many years to come."
