Franciscans leaving Kilkerrin marks end of an era

A 164-year link between the people of Kilkerrin, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, and the Franciscan Order will be broken shortly when…

A 164-year link between the people of Kilkerrin, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, and the Franciscan Order will be broken shortly when the brothers close their monastery door for the last time. The Franciscans came to Kilkerrin in 1837 at the request of Archbishop John MacHale of Tuam, and since then they have ministered to the pastoral and educational needs of the parish.

Declining numbers have forced the friars to leave. To mark their departure, there will be a special ceremony next Saturday when a commemorative stone will be unveiled in the friary grounds at 4 p.m. Mass will be celebrated in the parish church at 6 p.m., followed by a farewell party and display of memorabilia in the community centre.

Past pupils and parishioners are welcome to join, and more details can be obtained from Father Sean Higgins, parish priest, or from Mr Gerard McCarthy, chairman, organising committee at Kilkerrin, who is on e-mail at: gmccar@eircom.net

The bootsteps of the West Conamara Flying Column of 1921 are to be retraced next Sunday in an exercise planned by Seosamh O Cuaig of Raidio na Gaeltachta. The 12-mile hike will follow the route taken through the hills between Clifden and Leenane after an engagement sparked by the execution in Dublin of Tommy Whelan, an IRA volunteer from Clifden, on March 14th, 1921.

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Whelan, accused of being a member of Michael Collins's squad, was buried in Mountjoy Prison. His reinterred remains, along with those of Kevin Barry and others, are to be given a State funeral in the coming months.

Reacting to news of Whelan's death, the West Conamara Flying Column attacked a British patrol in Clifden and bombed the barracks, killing two RIC men. The Black and Tans retaliated, and the column retreated into the hills towards Leenane, ambushing RIC patrols en route.

Those fit and suitably clad for the walk should meet at King's pub in Clifden at 8.30 a.m.. For more information, Seosamh O Cuaig is on ocuaig@ireland.com

Ritual planting of the new season's holly trees in Galway takes place in Terryland Forest Park next Sunday evening with a promise of fun, frolics and a spectacular fire sculpture. The celebration ties in the with the ancient rite of fire, marking the end of the late summer festival, Lughnasa.

As Holly Day evolved through the centuries, the image of the sun apparently sliding down the flanks of Croagh Patrick became transformed into a picture of a flaming sun wheel. Hence, re-creation of this flaming wheel next Sunday by the famous fire sculptors, Lasadh Draoicht. This will be followed by the holly-tree planting.