Carlow church celebrates 200 years

Parishioners in Drumphea in County Carlow have celebrated the 200th anniversary of their village church with a week of festivities.

The programme of events began with Benediction and included a youth liturgy attended by 150 young people and a Mass in the cemetery adjacent to the church.  Commemoration committee spokesperson Ann Ryan said the size of the congregation was five times that expected.

“We expected 30 but more than 150 turned up, despite the fact that the World Cup was on,” she noted.  “Our hard work paid off and it was a fantastic success - the theme was You are the light of the world and they organised it themselves,” she explained.

All local clubs were represented, with young people bringing mementos of their club to the altar.  Following the Mass, which Fr Paddy Byrne of Bagenalstown celebrated, a reception was held with musical entertainment.

Ms Ryan said the bicentenary of the church brought "a great sense of community participation and celebration" to Drumphea.

250 people attended a bicentennial Mass celebrated by parish priest, Fr Philip O'Shea, who was joined by eleven priests and former bishop James Moriarty.

The Mass was followed by a parish afternoon tea and another musical event in a specially erected marquee.  "Everybody really enjoyed the occasion, it gave a great boost to the community," said Ms Ryan.

by Fintan Deere