Festival expects large crowd to St Mogue's

Thomas Lyons

As part of Bawnboy's Community Festival there is an opportunity to take a boat tour to the mysterious ecclesiastical island of St Mogue's on Bank Holiday Monday August 7. The island, which is only accessible by boat, is a beautiful and tranquil spot that is the site of the traditional graveyard and the remains of the original church.

Local historian Aidan Brady will be on hand to give information on the history on the area with special emphasis on St Mogue's Island. Trips to the island by boat will be available throughout the afternoon.
“In the past there have been over 100 people going out as part of the Festival. It goes on from 2:00pm to 5:30pm. In other years we have been drawing people in and out from 1:30pm to 7:30pm,†Aidan told the Celt. The festival gives people an opportunity to get out to see this culturally significant part of their local history: “People go out to study the history of St Mogue and have a look at the island as a graveyard. Some people go out to tend to the graves on the day. The blessing of the graves takes place as part of the day.â€
Aidan is one of the Geopark guides on site on the day: “We have a map on the island of Ireland and Wales with the story of St Mogue. There is great faith in the clay of the island, it protects you from drowning and your property from fire. A lot of people carry it around with them. One local resident insisted that the clay was truly powerful. She carried it with her on the Titanic. She survived the fateful journey only because she carried St. Mogue's Clay with her.â€
A boat run under the auspices of Cavan County Council will be joined by volunteers to ferry interested parties out to the island for the festival: “People will be going out and back over the course of the day. As a Geopark event it is part of their calender, so it should attract a lot of tourists from outside as well as people who will be going over for the blessing of the graves.â€
The graveyard is still open to families who have a plot on the island. Aidan says that in recent times a number of people have had their ashes returned to the historic burial site. In anticipation of the event the community organised a clean up of the graveyard. Aidan says that there is a great interest in the island: “The Templeport Development Association produced a book on the history of the island and it sold out. There is great support from the community for the day. It is a big social event.â€
He said that the family links to the site have keep the site tidy: “My grandparents are buried on the island. I have been coming out here since I was a child. The council stopped the upkeep of the graveyard in the mid 1980s and the local people have been undertaking it ever since.â€
The boats will run throughout the day from 2pm. You can learn the story of St Mogue and all the legends associated with this picturesque island on the day. Please wear sturdy footwear and bring warm waterproof clothing.