Hundreds attend Mass Rock ceremony

Several hundred faithful gathered at Shannow Wood last Sunday (May 25) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the First Mass celebrated there since Penal Times.

Some in attendance arrived having walked almost the length of the parish from the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Belturbet to the sacred site outside the village of Redhills.

The rock was prepared for the ceremony by local people, with Mass con-celebrated by Fr Jason Murphy and the recently retired Fr John McTiernan.

Bishop of Kilmore Martin Hayes also joined parishioners who gathered at nearby Killoughter Hall, before the Mass started.

Only accessible on foot, it had been known that Mass took place in the locality during the religious persecutions of the 17th and 18th centuries. But the site went undiscovered until Canon Owen Traynor, a doctor of history and parish priest in Mullagh, discovered the rock's exact location.

It prompted local curate Fr Felim McGovern to re-establish the tradition in May 1975, and with former Bishop of Kilmore, Francis McKiernan, they unveiled a statue of the Blessed Heart there.

The ceremony that day was con-celebrated by Revs Francis McGovern, Johnny Cussack, Bunnoe, Owen Traynor, and Patrick Mallon, President of St Patrick's College, Cavan.

Several children who received their First Communion were also present too.

Walking the 12 kilometres from Belturbet to Shannow Wood is Tom Leonard from Redhills with his wife Sheila. He was one of half a dozen selected to stand as altar boys at Shannow Wood 50 years ago. Now living in Waterford, he has returned to Cavan to take part.

“I always intended to come back for this,” says Tom, who also did a Prayer of the Faithful on Sunday. “It's lovely to come back. Unfortunately one of the altar boys with us has since passed away, Seamus Kelly, but his brother John will be there today.”

Assumpta McDonald was present at the Mass said 25 years ago. She was also there in August 2002 when, as a church restoration fundraiser, parishioners walked from Belturbet to the Mass Rock.

She enjoyed the experience. “It was lovely, walking through the fields with people to get there,” she remembers.

The walk is an interesting element, she admits. “Its' a challenge, a bit of penance, but that's what it's all about,” she says before setting off.

Like Assumpta, Ollie Donohoe was there on the two previous walks. “It's great to be here today. I mightn't make the 75th,” he laughs.

Gavin Brady from Gannon's Cross is keeping step with Paul O'Reilly from Belturbet. The pair are in good mood. “We have a unique parish,” reflects Gavin, and Paul agrees. He was there in 2002.

“It's great to be part of something like this. We remember people on days like this.”

Geraldine Brady shares: “The people of Redhills treasure [Shannon Wood]. It's a beautiful occasion.”

Fr Jason Murphy, who in June celebrates his silver jubilee since entering the priesthood, reflects on the sense of community brought about by commemorating occasions such as this.

This will be his first walk to the Mass Rock from Belturbet, but explains that the people of Redhills and Killoughter venerate the importance of the location as beacon for keeping the faith alive in the area.

He remembered too the many who had attended the 50th and 25th anniversaries but could not be there on Sunday.

“A great many friends,” said Fr Murphy, adding: “Killoughter used to be parish in itself. Today the parish extends from Kilconny Bridge in Belturbet to the One Tree or very near to it. It's lovely for people to come together, walking, talking, sharing, that whole pilgrimage experience, and then to reach the destination as one.”