Gallery
This Gallery is a collection of photographs from across the years. We hope it brings back memories and shows the vibrant community that we are today.
As a result of responding to a query from Scotland, by Eric Shaw, Clarecastle welcomed two ladies from Edinburgh whose lifetime ambition was to walk in the path of their Mother through the village. They wanted to see the places that Margaret Crossland (whose mother was Mary Catherine Gillespie from Clarecastle) had visited and photographed in the 1920s when she came from England on holidays. They brought many of the old photographs with them and Eric showed them the places as they exist today. Their Great-Grandfather, Joseph Gillespie, had come to Clarecastle in the 1880s as manager to O’Brien’s Sawmills in the Quay Road. Three of his children were born and baptised in Clarecastle. The family lived in a number of houses in the village, lastly at the house beside John Hanly’s that we know as the Curate’s House. Joseph founded a branch of the Land & Labour Association in the village. At his death in 1910, the branch the following resolution: “That we, the members of the Clare Castle Branch of the Irish Land and Labour Association, beg to offer to Mrs. Gillespie and family our deepest sympathy on the great loss they have sustained by the death of a devoted husband and kind father.” Joseph was buried at Clare Abbey. The ladies live in Scotland, but both were Sheffield/Yorkshire-born, like Margaret. They presented Eric with copies of over 70 of their Mother’s photographs, taken in and around Clarecastle in the 1920s. These capture that era in a most poignant and wonderful way and will be treasured.
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Over fifty five young people from across the diocese ascended on St. Flannan's College on Saturday for the 'Youth Faith Event' which was part of The Diocesan Faith Gathering. Some of the young people had travelled to Lourdes and Taize during the summer, others were chartering into uncertain waters but left with new friendships and bonds formed. The atmosphere was electric and the rafters were raised as the day came to an end. Over 15 of the young people have now volunteered to work together to plan and organise future events for the youth of our diocese.
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An important and moving event on Sunday 14th July 2013 was the unveiling of the new Famine Memorial at the Fair Green in Clarecastle. (Note: There are three pages of photos. After viewing this page, please note that you need to click ahead to page two and three to see more photos)
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Croagh Patrick http://croagh-patrick.com/ Croagh Patrick’s history as a place of worship reaches back in time as far as 3,000 BC. The mountain’s popularity among religious pilgrims dates to the time of St. Patrick, who is said to have completed a forty-day Lenten ritual of fasting and penance here. Legend also has it that Croagh Patrick is the mount from which he banished snakes from Ireland forever! Each year, on the last Sunday in July, thousands of devotees from all around the world visit the mountain for what is known as "Reek Sunday", a day of worship in honour of Ireland’s patron saint. Some people even climb the mountainside barefoot, as an act of penance. Outdoor masses are held throughout the day, along with confessions at St. Patrick’s Chapel. Many Clarecastle, Ballyea parishioners have climbed the Reek. Here are some of their photos.
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Islands Trail - Heritage & Wildlife of Island McGrath & Islandavanna
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A taster of events happening as part of Clarecastles Gathering festival - a Week of Welcomes! More pictures are being added daily, here and in the albums below
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Some photos of parishioners Fiona Coughlan, Marisa Lynch and Brian Casey who have just returned from Lourdes where they volunteered and helped the assisted pilgrims in the Annual Killaloe Diocesan Pilgrimaged. All three will speak about their experience in Lourdes at weekend masses - July 6/7 2013
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Our young talented student teacher/parishioner, Laura Bergin (Manusmore) who spoke so eloquently at recent weekend Masses in Clarecastle, is making great progress with her fellow student teachers on their assignment in the Linda Open Community School, Lusaka, Zambia, Africa. Laura and her colleagues are teaching classes of 100+ in a new school with over 2000 pupils and 16 teachers! We look forward to more pics and Laura's progress report when she returns home to Clarecastle in early July.
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4-500 people gathered in St Johns Well for this years annual celebrations. An extra special dimension was the opening up of the Pilgrim Walk from Ballybeg woods across to Kilone Abbey. - - - Click on a photo to enlarge it and click on next to see all the pictures on that page. There are over five pages of pictures, so when you've viewed one page, click 'Esc' to close the big picture and then move onto the next page to see who you can spot there!! ;-)
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The delightful warm weather and bright colourful atmosphere added to the sense of occasion that marked Fr Harry’s golden jubilee (June 8th 2013) celebrating 50 years of exemplary faithful service of a good and loving priest. Born in Scarriff, Co Clare in 1938, Fr Harry is the eldest of five children. He attended Scarriff National School and St Flannan’s College, Ennis before commencing his priesthood studies in Carlow College in 1956. He was ordained in the Cathedral of the Assumption Carlow on June 8th 1963. Fr Harry ministered in Eyrecourt Galway, Feakle & Killena/flagmount, Ballywilliam & Portroe, Co Tipperary, Quin/Clooney/Mahera, Killimer/Knockerra. He has been with us in Clarecastle/Ballyea since 1998. Parishioners from all the parishes that Fr Harry ministered to processed with candles to signify the start of a very special Mass of Thanksgiving. A very appropriate liturgy was significantly enhanced by the combined choirs of Clarecastle and Ballyea. Soloists and musicians excelled and Fr Tom Hogan delivered a memorable homily with key themes centring on Fr Harry’s home and all homes being the real church, a sacred place and the virtue of 50 years of faithfulness. Family and parishioners participated by way of readings, prayers and reflections. Over 350 people availed of refreshments at the local primary school where bishop Kieran spoke eloquently about Fr Harry’s dedication to church and community. The joint Parish Councils of Clarecastle/Ballyea and the School Principal made presentations to Fr Harry to commemorate the occasion. Fr Harry spoke of his great joy in ministering to all the parishes he served and acknowledged the great support he has enjoyed from Parish/Pastoral Councils down through years. He thanked his family for their great demonstration of support and all who helped in any way to make his jubilee celebration the occasion that it was.
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Apostolic Society Display. Held in the Abbey Hall, Clarecastle, on 3rd march 2013
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Clarecastle’s Tidy Towns Committee was revived in 2010 following the completion of the Ennis and Clarecastle bypass. The removal of the stream of very heavy traffic from Clarecastle offered a renewed opportunity for the village to be rejuvenated and revived into a much more pleasant place to live and visit. The Tidy Towns Committee and volunteers work hard to clean up Clarecastle and its surrounding areas. Here are some pictures of volunteers hard at work on the Quay side - a great local resource.
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A month of celebration and hope for our parish - here are some images taken by John Power.
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Parish History and Genealogy section. Here we offer some family photographs kindly shared with the parish, via the support of local historians and parish records. See the other albums in this gallery for more general historical images.
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Local residents caring for the community in which we live. See events listings for up-coming events with the Tidy Towns committee
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Clarecastle Tidy Towns Committee. Busy at work planting in the Peoples Park this April.
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Bishop Kieran O'Reilly joined us on Saturday, 2nd March 2013 to launch this parish website. Many congratulations to all involved in its creation and management. These photographs are all courtesy of John Power.
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