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Mr. John O’Leary sent us this account of a famous priest of his native parish. This priest, Fr. Michael Enright was a native of Listowel.
At the height of the Famine, in 1847, Fr Michael Enright was appointed
to Castletownbere.
Fr Michael Enright, a native of Listowel was active in getting the Chapel
at Rossmacowen built. The people were so poor that they were only able
to raise one pound, four shillings towards the new chapel, which was
completed in 1855 and blessed on the feast day of St Bartholomew, 24th
August 1855.
Rev Fr. Michael died May 1865.
The Cork Examiner noted in its obituary published in 1865, the affection
in which they never ceased to regard their beloved pastor was
affectionately evinced on Thursday the 25th when his remains were
deposited among them in the church which will remain a testimonial to
his labour and of his love for the poor of his flock. He was buried in
the graveyard of Rossmacowen on May 25th 1865.
Growing up i was always interested in the history of the locality, and i
have on so many occasion listened to people speak so highly of Fr
Michael. He was a man of the people.
In 2011 we had a family reunion, 48 travelled from America. Up in our
land and at the bottom of the hill there is a mass rock. Late on the
Saturday evening we all clambered up through the hill side and our
cousin Fr John said mass. We all left quietly after mass as our
ancestors would have done. I designed a card for the occasion, and I
asked a retired school principal if he would do a little poem, just to
mark that connection
Tígh fé Thalamh
They gathered all together
Round a lonely hidden rock
The priest arrived and said the mass
For his faithful, waiting flock
Neither penal laws nor gunfire
Could force them not to pray.
In earnest lowly whispers,
The rosary they would say.
They fought to keep the Irish faith
Which they took to many a land
And gave their children’s children
A strong belief in God.
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Listowel in the 1930s
J.M Galvin’s Central Hotel now Maid of Erin, Main Street, Listowel
Photo copyright; Tipperary Studies Photographs of Munster
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Dates for the Diary
It’s back; Listowel will have a St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17 2022.
If you wish your club or organisation to participate, entries are being accepted at Christy’s The Well in The Square.
Let’s make this year’s event a true return to the old normal.
While you have the diary handy, The Lartigue Theatre Company will bring their new production of John B. Keane’s Sive to St. John’s from April 7 to April 12 2022.
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