DANIEL O’DONNELL IS set to headline a concert on Saturday to raise funds for a Co Donegal church that was burned down in the early hours of Monday morning.

St Mary’s Church in Gaoth Dobhair (Gweedore) caught fire in the early hours of Monday, with emergency services responding to the scene at roughly 4am.

Local Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that it was “absolutely devastating” for the community to have lost the structure. 

His own father’s anniversary mass was due to take place at the church during the week.

Doherty added that the church had been there since 1972, and that the fire was “just heartbreaking”.

In response, a concert is taking place this Saturday evening in at Teach Phaídí Óig in Croithlí, Co Donegal.

Speaking to Morning Ireland, O’Donnell said that a festival was held there last week and that the marquee will be reused for Saturday night, 

He said the concert was organised like the “click of a finger”.

“It is last-minute so I hope people will be able to come out,” said O’Donnell. 

O’Donnell told RTÉ that the church is in a neighbouring parish and that he knew it very well. 

“I was shocked when we learned about it being burnt down and it’s sad for the community.

“In a rural community, the chapel is a very important building and I was in it many times.

“The church is a place where people gathered in happy times and sad times and it’s a big part of life in the area.

“To be able to come together on Saturday night, that’s a big thing.”

O’Donnell said he has no idea how much it will cost to rebuild the church. 

He added: “I know it’s only a building, and thank God no one was hurt or injured, but it’s still a big loss to the community.”

The parish of Gweedore said it is in mourning following the fire and added: “Our beautiful Church was not only a place of worship, but also a centre of light, life and love, of support, unity and hope for many.

“We are a resilient community and will stand together to support one another in this moment of deep grief and sorrow. 

“We will rebuild our Church with a renewed hope for a brighter future.”

The previous St Mary’s Church in Gweedore was destroyed in 1880 during a flood. Five parishioners died during the disaster. 

It was rebuilt on higher ground in 1972.