Latin Mass Pilgrimage to Goresbridge 2014

This was our first pilgrimage to the beautiful village of Goresbridge, although we have had Masses in most of the surrounding Parishes. Perched on the borders of Carlow and Kilkenny, Goresbridge, as you can imagine, was named for the Gore family who, according to Dr. Comerford’s Collections, received a grant from Charles II of lands that had been confiscated from Catholics. The Gores were replaced at the beginning of the 19th Century by the Clifdens as the big people in the place.

Dr. Comerford also tells us that Fr. John Murphy led the men of Wexford to cross the Barrow at Goresbridge (also known as Newbridge) on 23rd June, 1798, where they met with and defeated a body of mounted and foot troops. They got as far as Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny but finding no local support retreated back across the Barrow at Goresbridge on 26th.

 As is usual, the Church of Ireland building stands prominent and proudly, while the Catholic Church on 'Chapel Lane' is more modest of aspect. The Church of the Holy Trinity is a small simple country Church with galleries in the transepts. It has the unusual arrangement of having the organ pipes in a gallery over the Altar.

 The Church also contains fine stained glass windows, with central plaques depicting an emblem of the Holy Trinity, Christ the King, the Sacred Heart, St. Joseph, St. Patrick, St. Brigid, St. Laserian and St. Oliver Plunkett.

Dr. Comerford gives 1822 at the date of the present Church, built by Fr. Lewis Moore, R.I.P. Frs. Michael Brennan, P.P., d. 1851, and Matthew O’Connell, who had served in America, are buried in the Church. Requiescant in Pace.

Latin Mass Pilgrimage to Allen 2015

This morning members and friends of St. Conleth's Catholic Heritage Association gathered at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Allen, County Kildare, for an Anniversary Mass in the Gregorian Rite for one of their founder members, Miss Gertrude Hyland. After Mass, some of the members went to Crosspatrick Grave Yard nearby to pray at her graveside, and then to Father Moore's Well, a shrine to a saintly Parish Priest of Allen.

The spire of Allen Church can be seen on the horizon, as can the hill of Allen, the palace of Fionn Mac Cumhail, the warrior chieftan of ancient Ireland.  This parish was the hiding place of the Bishops of Kildare during the centuries of persecution.  A history of the Parish can be found in Dr. Comerford's Collections.

Latin Mass Pilgrimage to Abbeyleix 2014

On 18th October, 2014, a Traditional Latin Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois. You can find more pictures and information on this magnificant Church in the reports on the Masses in 2013, 2011 and 2010.

Latin Mass Pilgrimage to Emo 2014

Reports of previous Masses in Borris, Co. Carlow, are here (2013), here (2012), here (2011), here (2010), an account of the Church itself here, and an account of the nearby Emo Court here.

Latin Mass Pilgrimage to Borris 2014

Reports of previous Masses in Borris, Co. Carlow, are here (2013) and here (2012) and a feature on the Church of the Sacred Heart here.

Latin Mass Pilgrimage to Monasterevin 2014

Reports of previous Masses in Monasterevin are available here (2013), here (2012), and here (2011).

Latin Mass Pilgrimage to Doonane 2014

Latin Mass Pilgrimage to Carlow Cathedral 2014