| WicklowNews.ie | Date: Tuesday 30th June 2009 | reporter: Krystyna Pollard - Editor |
HUNDREDS of local parishioners and visitors gathered to mark the golden jubilee of the Our Lady Star of the Sea Church at Brittas Bay last Sunday, June 28.
Sunday represented exactly 50 years to the day the church was officially dedicated by then-Archbishop of Dublin John Charles MeQuaid and the occasion was marked with a special mass and celebration for all.
Chief concelebrant at the Mass was current Archbishop Diarmuid Martin with concelebrants Fr Vincent Dempsey PP, Fr Bertie Moore, and invited priests from neighbouring parishes as well as a number of formal curates.
Around 300 people arrived at the church to celebrate Mass then enjoyed music and refreshments into the afternoon to mark the occasion.
Many visitors from outside the area joined locals for the event, with the church proud to carry on its tradition of welcoming those who flock to Brittas Bay every year to enjoy their holidays in the stunning surrounds.
EXACTLY 50 years ago last Sunday. June 28, Catholic Archbishop of Dublin John Charles McQuiad officially dedicated the Star of the Sea Church in scenic Brittas Bay.
The area is well known today as a holiday spot with its caravan parks and mobile homes, a situation that has remained unchanged since the church was constructed in the 1950s, according to Father Bertie Moore.
"In the 1950s there was a bit of affluence in Dublin and people were coming to the area for their holidays." Fr Moore explained.
"In the Parish of Barndarrig there was a church at Barndarrig and a church in Kilbride, but to accommodate the visitors Mass was said in an old school and a hall attached to McDaniel's pub in the early 1950s."
It was decided to construct the Star ol the Sea Church In the late 1950s to accommodate an increase In numbers over the summer season, he said.
The land was provided by A. (Sonny) McDaniel and builder of the church was Mr Cooney of Cooney Jennings, a local landowner who held property around the Magh-eramore area. Construction of the church took around 12 months to complete.
The church itself is located in a very historic area, with local legend holding that St Patrick himself landed in the area below the old graveyard at Three Mile Water.
"There is a legend that St Patrick was associated with that and possibly came ashore there," Fr Moore said.
IT was also possible St Patrick's predecessor. Patrick Palladius. landed in the area because of the proliferation of the name Sylvester, one ol his disciples. Fr Moore said.
The modern day Star of the Sea Church prides itself in continuing to provide services not only to locals but visitors of the area, in some cases the second generation of whom attend Mass during their holidays.
Indeed, while Mass is said every Saturday evening at 7pm and 10am every Sunday throughout the year, a second Mass is said throughout July and August to cater for the busy holiday period.
"There are many people who have extensive ties to the area." Fr Moore commented.
"After the 1950s and 1960s there were a lot of people who had holiday homes and some have now been coming for two generations."
Fr Moore himself has been in the locality for more than two years after being based in Barndarrig and said the community spirit was thriving in the area.
"I feel very much at home, they are all great friends of mine and I also look forward to the visitors coming," Fr Moore commented.
"The visitors who are coming here for their holidays reminds us how lucky we are to live here all the time."
THE following interesting history on Inisboheen was put together by the Rev. Myles V. Ronan:
Inisboheen is beautifully situated on a plateau over a deep glen at the mouth of the Three Mile Water. Tradition associates this place with St Patrick's first landing. It was to this secluded spot that the relics of Sylvester and Solinus, the presbyters left by Palladius in Domnarharda, were transferred from the latter place at the close of the 6th century. There is no record to tell why they were removed to Inisboheen nor is there any to tell if they escaped during the plunder and burning of this sanctuary about 774. It is significant that Glendalough was also burned in this year.
Inisboheen is one of the few churches of this district mentioned in the Bull of Alexander III in 1179. It was made preben-by Archbishop Alexander de Bicknor on August 29. 1322 and the rights and appurtenances were granted to St Patrick's Cathedral. It was in good repair in 1615 but in 1630 it was reported that. "The church is down: the chauncil was built within these two years and covered with slate, but it hath lately been blown down by the great storms". In the Taxations of 1292 and 1302-06 it was valued at £10 yearly (about £I59, 1914 value).
The church measures 42ft by l9ft and of its walls, 3ft thick, considerable portions still remain. Part of the door or window in the East Gable can be easily identified. From the West Gable projects a smaller apartment 16ft by 15.5ft with walls 2ft 4inches thick. "Although the masonry looks ancient, it is doubtful." says O'Curry, "if the ruin be the primitive building of Baothin".
Tradition holds this place in higher esteem than any other place in East Wicklow except Glendalough. At the extensive burial ground at the South wall is a tombstone to the memory of the Matthew Matthews. And to the west of the priest's grave stands a square-cut stone, about 2ft high, at the head of an old grave with peculiar lettering.
O'Curry (Wicklow Letters) seems to think that Baothin's original church stood on the rocks called the Wiolves, namely, on an island which was swept away along with the church. But the Inis or Inch connection with ancient churches does not necessarily mean such an island. A bend of the river, as in the present case, would be sufficient to constitute an inis in this sense. But according to some of the old inhabitants in 1839, the graveyard was actually on an island and one of the arms of river had dried up.
The inscription reads: "I.H.S Here lieth the body of the /Rd Mathew Matthews deceased October 10th 1749". The stone is only about 1ft above ground.
Rev. Mvles V. Ronan
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