200 years of Maudabawn faith
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Aidan McCabe on hand to launch of Aogán Ó Fearghail’s book ‘From Bridge to Spire’ documenting two centuries of Maudabawn its chapel an its people at the launch in Gallonray house last Friday evening.PHOTOS: ALEX COLEMAN Alex Coleman.Image 2 of 2
Pictured at the launch of Aogán Ó Fearghail’s book ‘From Bridge to Spire’ in Gallonray House on Friday night last as part of a weekend of Celebrations to mark the Bicentenary of St Patrick’s Church in Maudabawn. The organising committee were: Seated (from left) Aidan McCabe, Aogán Ó Fearghail, Frances Farrell, Roseabby McGorry, Fr John Cooney and Seamus Reilly; back, Pat Farrell, Aisling Bates, Pauline O’Reilly, Teresa Lynch, Fr Darragh Connolly, Ena Clerkin, Bernie McEnroe and Paddy Bates. Alex Coleman.Gallonray House was filled to capacity for the launch of 'From Bridge to Spire – Two Centuries of Maudabawn Chapel and its People' a new history of St Patrick’s Church, Maudabawn, by local author Aogán O’Fearghail.
The beautifully presented book charts more than two centuries of faith, community and local life, from the era of secret worship to the development of the present-day church.
Maudabawn’s people have been anchored by their church for more than 200 years, with the chapel taking its name from An Maide Bán (the white stick), the original crossing point over the Maudabawn River.
The book was launched by local man Aidan McCabe, who praised O’Fearghail’s work as a “real landmark production” and “a one-off book that”, he said, “nobody in the future could possibly replicate”.
Aidan said the author had accessed archives from “the length and breadth of the country”, while also blending the story with memories handed down by dozens of local people, many of whom have since passed away.
He said he could not think of another book like it, praising its unique format, extensive content and accessible presentation.
The book is divided into six chapters covering different periods in Maudabawn’s history. Each period is further divided into three sections.
‘Church Affairs’ focuses on priests, people and developments, while ‘After Mass Chats’ explores wider community life through stories and conversations from shops, forges, mills and firesides.
The third section, ‘In-Focus’, tells the life story of an individual from, or connected to, Maudabawn during each of the six periods.
The book details three major phases in the development of the chapel. The original church was built on the present site in the 1820s, replacing a nearby Mass House which had been in use since the easing of the Penal Laws in the late 1700s.
Further major developments followed with rebuilding and extension work in 1914/15, and a substantial renovation in 1990/91.
The launch was particularly fitting as the community celebrates the bicentenary of St Patrick’s Church.
The book is now available from The Creamery Shop, Argue’s Filling Station and Hannigan’s Grocery Shop, Market Street, Cootehill.