Following a verse from scripture some 200 Jehovah's Witnesses began work on a new building for their congregation in Co Mayo shortly after dawn yesterday.
The sun cast its first light around 6.30 a.m. on an empty field in the townland of Cloonbulban, Bekan, near Ballyhaunis.
By sunset, some 14 hours later, an impressive, partly roofed building, had appeared on the landscape.
Painters will move in this morning to start decorating the 173 sq m Kingdom Hall for the Ballyhaunis congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses.
The building, which will have a seating capacity of 120, will be ready for use by tomorrow evening.
The Jehovah's congregation is increasing in east Mayo, consequently the need for a larger and permanent Kingdom Hall, according to Mr Stephen Naylor, one of the 60 or so people who have been attending regular Bible meetings in various rented rooms in Ballyhaunis.
Site manager Mr Christy Casserly, from Galway, who, with his family, is a member of the congregation for many years, said the use of a timber frame with exterior blockwork facilitated speedy construction of the hall.
"This is a very good location with little possibility of vandalism," said Mr Casserly.
"The neighbours are friendly and quite curious about the structure of the building and how it can be erected so quickly."
At least a quarter of the volunteers from all over Ireland who are taking part in the construction are women.
One of them, Sister Maria Burke from Tuam, a Jehovah's Witnesses minister, worked with a team of five administering first aid. She dealt with a number of minor injuries, including finger cuts and splinters.
According to Mr Máirtín MacDonnchadha, who is acting as spokesman for the project, a further Kingdom Hall is planned for Sligo town in September to cater for the growing congregation there.
The first Kingdom Hall in Ireland was built in Downpatrick, Co Down, in 1985.
The Bekan project will cost about €150,000, with some €38,000 being spent on the site and the rest on material and other expenses.