By Eoin Mc Garvey
OVER 100 people attended a special Mass in the middle of the bog between Loughanure and Dungloe on Sunday afternoon to remember the priests and the community who were forced to have Mass in hidden places during the penal times.
Ailt an Scathláin is located in the bog just off the N56 at Craugheyboyle and it was there in July 1989 the last Mass was celebrated at the Mass rock, some 250 years on from when the clergy and the people first assembled there for Mass under fear and in very trying conditions.
Members of the community making thier way to the Mass rock at Ailt an Scathlain near Loughanure. (Photos: Eoin Mc Garvey)
The idea to bring the Mass rock at Ailt an Scathláin to life once again was first mooted by local community man Eugene Greene in June when he spoke to Annagry PP Fr Nigel Ó Gallachóir.
The parish council took the idea on board and working with Mr Greene they put all the necessary arrangements in place.
Sunday’s Mass was concelebrated by Fathers Nigel Ó Gallachóir, Lorcán Ó Searcaigh, and Brian Ó Fearraigh, and people were delighted that Fr Ó Searcaigh, of Rann na Feirste, was back in Ailt an Scathlán 36 years later from when he gave the sermon in 1989. At that time, it was the late Pádraig Ó Rabhartaigh of Culacrick and Glasgow, Paddy Mc Garvey and John Sweeney from Loughanure who got together to arrange the Mass.
The glorious weather on Sunday afternoon brought people from the surrounding areas to the Mass rock and it also included visitors from Northern Ireland who learned of the Mass while holidaying in the area.
Deirdre and John O’Donnell at the Mass on Sunday at the penal days Mass rock.
Tadhg Mc Fadden at the Mass rock.
Annemarie Doherty and her son Jamie at the Mass rock on Sunday.
Linda Young, Mary Mulholland and Eileen Mulholland at the Mass rock on Sunday.
The land on which the rock sits is owned by John Ann O’Donnell of Rann na Feirste and his late brother Stephen, and they kindly gave permission some weeks ago for the event to proceed.
It was very fitting that the Mass was dedicated to the late Stephen, who passed away recently, and was aware in advance that it was to take place. Members of his family including his sons Stephen, Gavin and Damien, his brother John, sisters, and extended family members were in attendance.
Fr Ó Searcaigh opened the Mass by welcoming the community gathered to join them at the Mass rock.
In his bi-lingual homily Fr Ó Gallachóir said it is a privilege to stand at Ailt an Scáthláin, ar thairseach Loch an Iúir and Croich Uí Bhaoill in this sacred place, where the faith of our fathers and mothers was tested in the hardest of times.
“During the Penal times ‘aimséar na bPéin dlíthe’, the English laws sought to strip our people of their priests, their churches, and their freedom to worship.
It was in places like this, in hidden bogs and sheltered valleys, an tAifreann Ró Naofa, Holy Mass was celebrated, often in the early morning, often with lookouts on the hills, always in danger.
“These rocks became altars, and the heather became pews. Faith was lived with courage and love,” he said.
“B’iomaí mairtír a thug an tír seo do Dhia, idir chléir agus tuathaí ar feadh an ama sin – aimsir na bpéindlíthe, agus ba mhinic a deargadh taoibh sléibhe, le fúil na ndaoine bochta dílse céanna, a bhíodh ag tabhairt adhradh agus Seirbhís don Chruthaitheoir do réir a gcoinsiasa.”
Fr Ó Gallachóir said that our ancestors believed in that truth so strongly, that they risked everything to be nourished by the Word of God and the Bread of Life, even in the middle of a lonely bog.
He referenced the poem read by Cassie Nic Grianna ‘Anseo i lár an Ghleanna’ and the lines referring to the arrival of the red coats – ‘Cén gleo é siúd ag teacht ‘nár dtreo, sin torann cos na gcapall, seo chugainn saighdiúirí airm an rí, anseo i lár an ghleanna.’
“We gather here today celebrating this Mass – anseo i lár an ghleanna,” he said.
Fr Nigel said it is very apt and timely that we remember that this very spot came alive again 36 years ago when to the sound of bagpipes playing ‘Faith of Our Fathers’, Mass was celebrated here for the first time in around 250 years.
“Ar an lá stáiriúl sin, the late Pádraig Ó Rabhartaigh (Padaí Eoin Thadhg), brother of an scríobhneoir clúiteath Tadhg Ó Rabhartaigh, had his long-held dream to again celebrate Holy Mass here, became a reality, with the support of Cóiste Pobail Loch an Iúir and the generosity of the landowner (the late Michael Gilmore) who allowed access over his bog. The Mass Rock that day, was covered by what was thought to be the original ‘scáthlán’, recreated from timber and thatch by the late John Sweeney.”
The readings on Sunday were by John Ann Ó Dónaill and Mary Logue, while Rosanna Ní Dhónaill sang the psalm. Prayers of the faithful were by Margo Gallagher, Cassie Nic Grianna read a poem, while the Annagry church choir contributed beautifully to the Mass that was streamed worldwide via Facebook.
Daniel Roarty who was at the last Mass at the rock in 1989 returned for Sunday’s Mass.
Mary Gallagher, Ann Mc Devitt, Moya O’Donnell, and Sheila Boyle at the Mass rock on Sunday near Loughanure.
Rosanna Ní Dhónaill singing the psalm at the Mass rock near Loughanure on Sunday.
Daniel Roarty who was at the last Mass at the rock in 1989 returned for Sunday’s Mass.
Fathers Nigel O Gallachoir, Lorcan Ó Searcaigh, and Brian Ó Fearraigh who celebrated Mass at the Ailt an Scathlain Mass rock near Loughanure on Sunday.
Fathers Brian Ó Fearraigh, Lorcn Ó Searcaigh, and Nigel Ó Gallachóir with the crowd at the Mass rock near Loughanure on Sunday. (Photos: Eoin Mc Garvey)
