Fr Peter Thompson plants a Blue Cedar in Church grounds and cuts the first sod for Social Housing project --August 2004

Farewell to Beloved Priest....….AUGUST 2004

On Sunday night last the whole Glinsk Community turned out to bid a very fond farewell to Fr. Peter Thompson SMA who is leaving Glinsk after a ministry of eight years to take up a new position in Newry, Co. Down. The night was a celebration of Father Thompson's work in Glinsk and the great bonds of friendship and love that he inspired throughout the community.

Mass was concelebrated on the evening by Fr. Thompson assisted by Very Rev. Fr. Hugo McClure PP, Very Rev. Fr. Seamus Cox, Rev. Fr. Tom Garvey, Rev. Fr. Dan O'Neill, Rev Fr. Michael Joyce SVD and Rev. Fr. Norman Davitt SVD.

During his homily Fr. Thompson thanked the people of Glinsk for their support and co-operation. He paid tribute to the Parish Council and the Parish Liturgy group. "I thank them for their patience and perseverance they have been here in season and out" He praised the Glinsk branch of the Pioneer movement "for their consistent efforts in so many parish activities" He spoke of the Glinsk Ladies Club who had "always been available to assist in the organisation of so many Church and Community activities". He thanked Glinsk Community Council who had done so much "to put Glinsk on the map and indeed to keep it there". He reserved a special word of thanks for the Staff of Glinsk school:"We have a wonderful school and I've enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the school" he said.

"In the years that I have been here I have shared the joys and sorrows of many families - the joy of baptisms and wedding days, the pain of the death of the elderly and indeed of young people - I am grateful for the many happy memories I will always carry with me"

Fr. Thompson also paid tribute to his own family members especially those in Scramogue and Killina who were a great support to him.

"Finally, I wish the people of Glinsk every blessing in the years ahead you have a great, a unique spirit of community togetherness and common purpose and I pray that that spirit will grow as new generations continue the great work that has been done in the past - Go raibh mile maith agaibh go leir"

Following the Mass, Fr. Peter planted a Blue Cedar in the grounds of the church which he had always tended with great love and made the Church grounds a place of great beauty. Next it was on to the site which will be the location of Glinsk Housing Project, a development of ten homes for the elderly of the area.

This was a project which was close to Fr. Peter's heart and was another example of his great devotion to those who were sick, lonely or alone. There he turned the first sod on this development which will be a memorial to his time in Glinsk.

"He sowed the seeds of this project and these seeds will bear fruit in the not too distant future"

The community then retired to the Glencastle Lounge where the Ladies provided food and teas for all. The night came to a climax with the presentation being made to Fr. Thompson. The MC for the night paid tribute to Fr. Thompson on behalf of the whole community when he said:

"The speech we make tonight is the one we really don't want to make, these are the words we wish we didn't have to say and the presentation of gifts that we wish could have waited a little longer….

"There is a feeling of sadness and loneliness widespread throughout the parish today but that grief is really a measure of the great esteem in which Fr. Thompson was held by each and every individual over the past eight years. However in the midst of the sadness there is a great feeling of acceptance and a very sincere wish that the new appointment being taken up by Fr. Thompson will bring him joy, fulfillment and happiness.

"Fr Thompson was always there to encourage and support - He didn't call on us from the front or shove us from behind - rather he walked with us all the way. Father, we thank you for your meticulous preparation for all Church liturgies - you made so many days special for those involved. We thank you for your devotion to the sick and your great sense of community, your willingness to support every type of community involvement - your door was always open.

"Father, you have carved a reputation within this community which is built on the person you are, the work that you did, the support that you gave, the kindness you showed and your dedication and commitment to your priestly duties."

Tributes were also paid to the SMA order and Bishop Jones and the SVD order for their care of the Glinsk community.

Parish Priest, Fr. Hugo McClure, paid tribute to the great work of Fr. Thompson and thanked him for his support and co-operation while he was in Glinsk.

On behalf of the assembled community a Bog-oak sculpture entitled "The Spirit of Glinsk" carved by local artist, Padraic Sirr was presented by Margaret Killackey. A Travel voucher and wallet of notes were then presented by James Shevlin. Fr. Thompson again thanked the people and finished by saying:" You have a unique community -During my time here I have not had one unpleasant experience - I bring with me many many treasured memories - May God always bless it and keep you so" Fr. Thompson then received a standing ovation from the packed attendance.

 

 

     

OF PARISHES

Down through the years parishes formed various combinations and partnerships. Some parishes reigned as independent units for a time while at other times they were wed to other parishes. The present parish of Kilbegnet-Ballinakill took its present shape in 1870 under an agreement worked out by the then parish priest of Kilbegnet-Oran, Very Rev. Fr. W. Mulrennan and Very Rev. Arthur French, parish priest of Ballymoe-Kilcroan. Under this agreement the parish of Ballinakill-Kilcroan which had been in existance for many years ceased to exist and Kilcroan became part of the parish of Ballymoe-Ballintubber with Ballinakill finding a home in the parish of Kilbegnet. The mid-nineteenth century was a period of building which probably has not had any parallel since then. In Kilbegnet Very Rev. John O'Beirne began working on the present church there only tosee much of his efforts destroyed on the night of the "Big Wind" in 1839. So downhearted was he as a result that he was forced to retire. He was succeeded by Very Rev. Andrew Egan who completed the Church later in that year.

Just after the Priest and his flock had completed work in Kilbegnet, Very Rev. Fr. Harrington secured a new site for a church in the townland of Keeloguesbeg and as Parish Priest of the then parish of Ballinakill he set about building the present 'Glinsk Church' which was completed in 1843. The Church which had served the people previous to this was actually in Glinsk townland and so the present church continued to be known as 'Glinsk' Church. The new Church at Glinsk was dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. The link with St. Michael would appear to have been borrowed from 'St. Michael's Holy Well' in Gortmorris which was a very popular place of pilgrimage for the people of the parish during the nineteenth century. The traditional pattern continued, on the feast of Michaelmas, into the early years of this century.

Another link with the earlier workship of the people and the foundations of the Christianity in this parish was the adoption of St. Colm as patron of the parish of Ballinakill. During the mediaeval period a small church in the townland of Kilcolum served the faithful. A chunk of the south wall still stands in the graveyard there. This church was dedicated to St. Colm (Columcille)

east gables of the Church are adorned with two finely sculpted Crucifixion plaques which date from the 16th/17th century and would have been borrowed from the former Parish Church of Ballinakill, the remains of which still stand in the present day graveyard of Ballinakill.

It was from this site "Baile-na-Cille" meaning the place of the Church that our parish has taken its name. This site, generally referred to as the "Abbey" is believed to have been an enclosure served our ancestors right back to the dawn of the early Christian age.

CENTRE OF WORSHIP PRIOR TO 1843

For many years before the present Church was built the faithful attended a Church in the townland of Glinsk near the present home of Mr. Martin Maloney.

In this church, Dr. Patrick Burke served as Curate for a number of years shortly after his ordination in 1803. Despite his name, he was not at all happy with the lifestyle and actions of his namesakes - the Burkes living down the road at Glinsk Castle.

Dr. Burke denounced the actions of the Burke family and they reacted by commanding all their tenants, under pain of eviction, to refuse Dr. Burke the fire to light the candles for Mass. The faithful, however, continued to support their young curate and the candles continued to glow!

Dr. Patrick Burke was born in the townland of Lisnageeragh, near Kilcroan, in 1779. He attended the College in Maynooth for four years and was regarded as an eminent student who was awarded his Doctorate of Divinity at an unusually young age.

Following his period as Curate in Glinsk Dr. Burke was transferred to Sligo where he soon became Administrator. His next appointment saw his return to Ballinakill as Parish Priest of Ballinakill/Kilcroan. His relations with the Burkes of the Castle were much more friendly.

In 1891, Dr. Burke was appointed coadjutor Bishop of Elphin and became Bishop of the Diocese, on the death of Dr. French, in 1827. For a short time before his death on Sept 16th 1843, he resided at Turla, near Ballymoe and a magnificent vault in Kilcroan cemetery marks his final resting place. A visitor to the site of the original Glinsk Church can still see a number of grassy mounds which mark its location. Also there is clear evidence of, at least, three graves on the site.

 

 

For many years, it is said that Glinsk Church did not have a bell-tower. In the early years, we are told, that the bell was hung on al large tree which gave it a special resonant sound when rung. Some years later, the present stone bell-tower was added. 

When the present church was built it was some time before the roof was put in place.This was a job that awaited the skilled hands of the Keaveney brothers from Creggs.
Extract taken from the HISTORY of GLINSK   by Martin Ward 

For further information concerning Glinsk Church/Parish see History of Glinsk

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