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                                                                            PARISH BULLETIN.

                          Some extracts from the annual Carrickedmond and Abbeyshrule Parish Newsletter.

Our visit to the Relics of St. Therese was a very simple event. We went to see, to touch, and to venerate the Relics of St. Therese. This was our response to the Power of  holiness in St. Therese. In the end there is nothing to excel the power of holiness. Holiness is total self-giving in love to the point of complete abandonment which allows God to be God, and allows the creature to become the instrument of his grace.

The following are the names of those who travelled together by bus to visit the Relics of St. Therese in St. Mel's Cathedral on Friday 18th May. This photo was taken as we left the Cathedral by Harry Quigley.

Front Row L to R: Rosemary Lennon, Mairead McDonnell, Brid Glynn, David Quinn, Brian O'Rourke, Lorraine McDonnell, Claire Glynn, Martina Quinn, Trina O'Brien, Maria Glynn, Karen Lenehan, Una O'Donnell, Therese Glynn, John O'Rourke, Marie Harte, Sarah Harte, Maura Harte, Edel Harte, Clare Harte, Annie Connell. Second Row L to R: Peggy Lennon, Fr. P. Tieman, Mal Duff, Maureen Donegan, Catherine Duff, Nancy Dempsey, Tom Dempsey, Martin Quinn, John Kenny,  Mary Kenny, Nora O'Brien, Patricia McLoughlin, Caitriona O'Donnell, Patricia O'Donnell, Bee O'Rourke, Kathleen Costello. Third Row L to R: Eva Sweeney , Kathleen Mulvey, Betty Martin, Agnes Farrell, Betty Donegan, Edel Sweeney, Marie Dalton, Pat Dalton, Mary McManus, Rosita Mulvihill, Mary Halvey, lta Reilly, Mary McCormack, Bridie Kenny, Bridie Farrell, Mary McCormack, Kieran Gray. Fourth Row L to R: Maureen Mulvey, Anna May McCormack, Paddy Farrell, Johnny Moran, Helena Larkin, Anna Kavanagh, Kate Yorke, Owen Donegan R.I.P., May Cummins, Nan Farrell.

Early in 2001 the newly formed Parish Hall committee set out its immediate plans to update and enhance facilities at our local hall. Replacement of roof, windows, and floor were immediate  targets for the year. With the assistance of Carrickedmond FAS workers the existing maple floor was painstakingly lifted. Dampcovering and replacement of all under floor timber took place before re-laying of :maple floor. The existing roof has been re- placed by insulated cladding and the steel windows are replaced by double glazed P.V.C.  We were fortunate to acquire £15,000 National Lottery Funding to assist the project. We thank  FAS  for their great work and meeting a certain deadline . Our aim for 2002 is to address the parking problem at the Hall and some work has been done. As  we will be holding our A.G.M. in the new year,. we would like to graciously acknowledge all those who patronise and use the hall. It is available for a nominal fee and would warmly invite anyone who would be in any way interested in promoting the Hall, or have any ideas on how it could be better  to attend. During the year we lost one of most dedicated patrons with the death  of Denis Egan. His dedication to the Parish Hall will always be a source of  inspiration  to us all . To all parishioners,  a peaceful Christmas and, bright New Year.

                                   ABBEYDERG      AUGUSTINIAN   MONASTERY

                                                      (Jimmy Lennon ,  Christmas 2001

The historian Rev. John (Dean) Monahan was of the opinion that a convent, or monastery, was in existence in Abbeyderg from soon after the time of Saint Patrick. This is most likely the case, but it is hard to find evidence to verify this theory. What can be established with certainty is the existence of a house of Canon Regulars of Saint Augustine at Abbeyderg. The Augustinians, like most of the other continental Orders, would seem to have come to this country with the Normans.

According to Ware, Abbeyderg was founded in the early part of the thirteenth century by Gormgall O'Quinn. The O'Quinns were chiefs of the region at this period in time. It is recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters that the O'Quinns, founders of Abbeyderg, were defeated in the year 1255 in great battle that took place at Farneyhoogan. "Diarmuid O'Cuinn, Auliffe, his son, together with the chiefs of Muintir Ghiollagain, were slain at Faradhan, Maigh Treagha, by Giolla na Naemh O'Ferral, who afterwards pillaged the territory.

As previously stated, it was the Canon Regulars of Saint Augustine who occupied the Abbeyderg monastery. It is frequently mention in the Annals of The Four Masters and the Annals of Lough Ce. It was dedicated to Saint Peter and is sometimes referred to as Saint Peter de Rabio, or de Rubio. Dr McNamee was of the opinion that this was an attempt to translate word "derg" to the Latin. However, in many cases it is recorded as Mainisterderg, which translates to "Red Monastery".

The Annals of Lough Ce, record that in the year 121 7 the death took place  of Ossin Abbot of the Canons of Mainisterderg. The same manuscript records that in the year 1255 Bishop Brendan MacEochaidh (McGoey) was interred at Abbeyderg.

There are also selections of entries in the " Roman Annates" which make reference to Abbeyderg and its occupants during the fifteenth century, a selection of which are as follows;

1400  Cristine Igynechan (Gilchrist O'Donegan) was Prior of the Abbey

1400  Nicholas Macmuchy (MacMurtagh) succeeded in that year

1418  Matthew Orodochan (O'Roddy) a Canon of Clonmacnoise is admitted to the Abbey of Derg at his own request, but is to renounce his   Canonry at Clonmacnoise

1425  John Odynagan (O'Donegan) Prior dies

1425  Corrnacus MacMearceartaich succeeds

1486  Cormac MacMaryhyrthy (MacMurtagh) died

1487  Malachy Ofergayl (O'Ferral) takes possession

1487  Malachy is deposed and prorate is conferred on Eugene Mackonkagneta priest of the diocese who is now desirous of entering the monastery. The Holy See has now united it with the rural rectory of Annaly.

The Annals of the Four Masters note that in the year 1476 Geoffry son of Siacus O'Ferral, Prior of Derg died.

The Annals of Lough Ce state that in the year I519, Maoilin O' Maelchonaire, Ollamh of Sil- Muiredhaig, a man full of prosperity and learning, a man whom the Geraldine foreigners chose before the Ollamhs of Eirinn, a man who would obtain jewels and riches from every one of the nobles of Eirinn, and who would unsparingly give what he had received, died at Mainister Derg in Teathba.

The previous entry is last recorded prior to the suppression of the Monasteries that took place some decades later, at which time the Crown forces destroyed buildings, statues, and venerated relics. They also took gold chalices and crosses from the churches and melted them down to use as money. George Browne burned the Bachall losa (Staff of Jesus) believed to be the crosier of Saint Patrick, which was kept at Christ Church Cathedral Dublin. However, one small artefact from Abbeyderg survived. It is today housed in the Hunt Museum in Limerick and known as "The Red Abbey Cross". A small crucifix, with the arms of Christ missing. A replica of this artefact is in possession of the Longford Historical Society and Hugh P. Magrath has included a sketch of it in this circular.

There are many ancient burial memorials located within Abbeyderg Cemetery.

The earliest inscriptions date back to the mid- 1700. After the suppression there was a law against burials in monastery grounds and this law was re-enacted again nearly 150 years after the initial suppression. The re- enacted law read as follows. 9 Will. c.1 (1697) Section 6-7

No persons shall bury any dead in any suppressed monastery, abbey or convent, upon pain of forfeiting ten pounds, which sum shall be recovered from any person present at the burial, one half to the informer, one half to the minister and church wardens of the parish where such offences shall be committed. Appeal may be made to the judges of assize or to the justice at the next quarter sessions.

                                    POWER TO THE PARISH

                                                                                                        (   Cathal McGoey             Christmas 2001)

Those of us who attended Colehill  National School during the war years  of the early forties remember a time of  want. Some utilities we take for granted to-day did not exist. We might remember a time when road surfaces were mere sand and dirt tracks. . Running water was unimaginable and light ceased, literally, at sunset. After the end of war in 1945 the authorities in government moved to improve the  the  lot of the rural populace. A scheme was mooted to bring electricity to the lesser populated areas in rural Ireland.   Nationally some viewed this grandiose  scheme as a white elephant.

Undaunted and with universal political backing the Electricity Supply Board set about the task A first pilot scheme was completed in early 1947 in the Kilsallaghan area of north Co. Dublin. Immediately, and to extend, a small traunch of other locations were identified as potential second line pilots. Foremost amongst the latter was the village and environs of Abbeyshrule. A canvas started in the early months of 1947 and completed by 10th June in that year. The entire scheme was estimated to cost £22478 - a considerable sum in those days. The actual statistics of the canvass are interesting. The total houses/properties canvassed numbered 557. Of this total 311 committed to the scheme. A total of 78 declined while a further 127 chose to sit on the fence. 41 further premises were vacant.

The relative large number of non- committal might, indeed should, have scuttled the scheme. However in tandem with the ESB an enthusiastic local Development Committee pushed matters along. Local names comprising this committee that spring to mind included Frank Kenny, Jimmy Byme, John Fay, Kit Campbell, Ned McGoey. There were, of course, others.

Work started on 18th September 1947. Teams consisting of outside expertise and local recruits commenced to erect the black pitch poles which lay in horizontal piles on the roadside. Matters progressed over the bleak winter of 1947 early 1948. The 'switch on' was tentatively set  - . for Thursday 27 th May 1948. In the Dail , Erskine Childers (afterwards President Childers ) tabled a question as to the exact number hooked up coming up to the "switch on " date. The Parliamentary Secretary - a Liam Cosgrove , T.D. - answered a number of 75. The first inter party government led by Fine Gael had just assumed power. Within that government General Sean Mc Eoin held the Minister for Justice portfolio. The local organising committee had asked Minister Mc Eoin to perform the actual "switch on " - a request the General was delighted to accept stating that "Abbeyshrule to-day is the envy of all Ireland ".

The village hall was some seven years away. The organisers hired a large marquee erected on a site adjoining the ancient Abbey Church and Tower House. No current would flow until the Minister pulled the actual ceremonial switch on the night. The program envisaged the marquee opening to the public at 8pm followed by a display of electrical equipment at 9pm. At that time Minister McEoin delivered a short address followed by the actual switch on.

 The stage held a number of top level people from ESB who expressed delight and amazement at the large turnout which ran to thousands coming from the parish and from other parts of the midlands.

Before the actual ceremony people were informally entertained to the sight of one fearless schoolboy scaling the old tower house and walking, tightrope fashion, along the top parapet which in those days was intact. Despite the pleading of the committee and to cheers from the crowd he refused to budge or come down. Other entertainment was provided by a ceilidhe band of local musicians. Refreshments, tea etc were on hand from an active local branch of the ICA. A ministerial guard of honour consisted of Gardai from the Midlands Branch of the force.

The Minister recited a prayer in Irish before switch on and exhorted people who were undecided to support the scheme.

The parish literally lit up on General McEoin's pulling the switch. Loud cheers marked the moment. I recently recounted the event with one of our eldest citizens, Mrs. Maureen Kenny Gallagher, then of Castlewilder. (sadly passed away May 2002 aged 99 years ) She recalls her brother Frank's wiring of Castlewilder House with a multitude of coloured bulbs which had the effect of lighting up the Hill of Agharra like a giant Christmas Tree. Really the credit for the Abbeyshrule Scheme and its foremost national position must go to this man who served as Secretary to the Committee at the time and lobbied unceasingly for the project.

 Over the weeks following the switch on many more homesteads were connected. Generally the scheme necessitated each house to contract its internal wiring. Names of contractors that spring to memory are Dempsey of Mullingar, Caslins of Strokestown, Bertie McGowan of Ballymahon and two likely lads from the rebel county of Cork in a baby Austin who did a runner shortly after the switch on. The marquee remained in place during Friday and Saturday 28 and 29th May to promote a cookery demonstration and other exhibits by the ESB. However due to torrential rains these latter events had to be cancelled. In total the ESB crews erected 520 poles. Some if not most are still upright serving their original purpose.

At the time most of us did not fully comprehend the magnitude of what was happening to the parish and the privilege of being one of the very first in Ireland to sample the utility for which, now, we take for granted and, to be truthful, could not live without.