Parish Pilgrimage 2000
On May 21st, 2000 a very historic event took place with the Parish Pilgrimage to each of the three old churches in the Parish of Kilvine.
In glorious weather conditions a gallant band of pilgrims, both young and old, set off from the old church ruin of Rathcurran Church in the townland of Garryduff, through Woodstock, Carabeg and Lenagh arriving at the roadside church ruin in Mike Healy's lands. After a break for prayer and refreshments, the pilgrimage proceeded through Cloonmore, Lisduff, Irishtown, Clover and finally, some 300 people reached the goal of their journey, at the old graveyard in Kilvine.
Kilvine is the oldest site in the parish, perhaps in the county. There would appear to be a continuous link there with Patrician times. However, it is unlikely that the present ruin dates back to St. Patrick. More than likely, according to the late Professor ODonnell of U.C.G., those ruins are that of a church that replaced the Patrician church, which was probably south of the exiting ruins.
Towards the end of the seventeenth century when the worst effects of the reformation had taken place the old Catholic Parishes of Kilvine, Kilcolman and Mayo Abbey came under the civil parish of Crossboyne. The churches of Kilvine, Cloonmore and Garryduff had then been destroyed for over half a century. Cloonmore and Garryduff seem to have been replaced by an old Catholic church in Ballindine and Kilvine centre for worship to Irishtown.
Of the three ruins Garryduff would seem to give us the most information. While the ruins are scattered over a larger area then the other churches the existence of clearly marked graves is very striking. To the west are clearly the graves of children, taken together with the fact that a Lisheen for unbaptised children existed in the same village would point to the fact that Rathcurran was used under the patronage of the local landlords and used by them as a burial ground. South of the church ruin are the graves of adults, perhaps those of the clergy who administered Rathcurran.
Marianus YGamnan is listed as Rector of Rathcurran in 1418. He may have been an unordained cleric. In 1591 David Fitzmaurice was Rector of Crossboyne, Rathcurran and Cloonmore. Also a local cleric, Robert Brown, from Woodstock, who died in 1866, was vicar of Crossboyne until his death.
Cloonmore is the best preserved of the three ruins. The four outer areas are still visible. The church measured 36 x 20 inside measurements. There are no visible marked graves. Built on a commanding height it provides a magnificent view and was probably a good lookout point.
Kilvine is unique in that the old graveyard, which contains the ruin, is still in use. That link with the past is in itself unusual. The graveyard has undergone a massive cleanup in recent times and is a great credit to all concerned.
Thanks is extended to Teresa Finnegan (nee Joyce) and Michael Healy, owners of the fields where Garryduff and Cloonmore churches are situated, and Anthony Gallagher through whose land the pilgrimage walked for part of the journey. A big thank you to everyone involved in the preparation of the occasion, those who provided and gave out the refreshments and badges, erected crosses, bunting, flags and banners, stewarded the route, provided transport and prepared the altar in Kilvine for the final prayers.
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