News
Rare Padre Pio relic to go on display in Friary
By Sean Moriarty
A rare relic of Padre Pio - owned by a Kilcummin man - will go on display at the Franciscan Friary during the annual St Padre Pio Triduum this week.
PADRE PIO: Michael O'Connor will display his 'First Class Relic' of Padre Pio at the annual St Padre Pio Triduum next week. Fr Eamonn O'Driscoll will lead the three-day devotion. Photo: Grigoriy Geniyevskiy
PADRE PIO: Michael O'Connor will display his 'First Class Relic' of Padre Pio at the annual St Padre Pio Triduum next week. Fr Eamonn O'Driscoll will lead the three-day devotion. Photo: Grigoriy Geniyevskiy
The three-day Triduum to the modern-day saint will take place from September 21 to 23 and will be led by Fr. Eamonn O’Driscoll, OFM.
There will be daily masses at 10am and 7pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week.
The ‘First Class Relic’ - a bandage with the Saint’s blood on it - will go on display at the Friary for each of the two daily Masses over the three days.
The relic is owned by Kilcummin man Michael O’Connor who has been devoted to Padre Pio after he claims the saint appeared to him at his home in 2010.
Following the appearance, Michael decided to visit San Giovanni Rotondo, the Saint’s home from July 1916 until his death in 1968.
During one of his many visits, which included asking a local wood-carver to make a life-size solid-oak statue of the saint, he got to know many of the priests in the town.
They presented him with the bandage in February 2011 and this is the relic that will go on display.
“I have taken it on display in Galway, Mayo, many parishes all over the country,” Michael told the Killarney Advertiser.
“It has been to Kilcummin and here at the Friary too before. I have met many people who have told me they have been cured by it, that all their pains were gone, but this is the work of Padre Pio and Jesus and I am just the channel.”
Fr Eamonn is looking forward to welcoming parishioners back to the Friary after months of restrictions. The church will remain at 50 percent capacity during the two daily Masses. In June the Friary was forced to run six Masses a day on the Feast of St Anthony.
“There is a lot of devotion to Padre Pio here in Ireland. He is in living memory for some people,” he told the Killarney Advertiser. “It is a ‘First Class Relic’ and to see it public is unusual.”
Couples across the parish of Kilcummin gathered at Our Lady of Lourdes Church for a special celebration Mass honouring milestone wedding anniversaries.
The special service, celebrated by Fr Pat O’Donnell, brought together local couples celebrating 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 years of marriage. Each couple received a commemorative certificate in recognition of their decades of commitment and companionship.
Following the ceremony, the parish committee hosted a reception in the parish hall, where attendees enjoyed tea, home baking, and an opportunity to catch up with neighbours and family members.
Organisers extended their gratitude to Fr O’Donnell, the church committee, photographer Anne Holland, and all who helped arrange the celebratory event.
ANNIVERSARY MASS: Pictured at the Kilcummin wedding anniversary mass are (front row, left to right) Michael and Mary Dorrigan, Michael and Mary Moynihan, Marion and Timmy O’Keeffe, and Clare and Sean Moynihan; (second row) Robert and Ann Marie Keane, Paudie and Kate Cahill, Hann and Denny Donnelly, Sheila and Charlie O’Neill, and Maureen and Francis O’Doherty; (third row) Maura and Cornelius Brosnan, Joan and Jeremiah Desmond, Breda and Timmy O’Leary, Noreen and Patie Nagle, and Barry and Breda Duggan; with (back row) Willie and Breda Fleming, Mary and Noel Cronin, and Fr Pat O’Donnell. Photo: Anne Holland.
PEARL ANNIVERSARY: Clare and Sean Moynihan celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
GOLDEN JUBILEE: Marion and Timmy O’Keeffe marking 50 years of marriage during the parish anniversary celebrations in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
RUBY CELEBRATION: Timmy and Breda O’Leary celebrating 40 years of marriage in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
SAPPHIRE MILESTONE: Joan and Jeremiah Desmond celebrating 45 years of marriage at the anniversary Mass in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
CORAL ANNIVERSARY: Robert and Anne Marie Keane marking 35 years of marriage at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
Killarney Plaza wins top golf hotel award
Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa has been named IGTOA Large Golf Hotel of the Year at the 29th National Golf Tourism Conference and Gala Irish Golf Awards.
Organised by the Irish Golf Tour Operators Association, the annual conference brings together golf operators, hotels, clubs, and industry partners from across Ireland. The awards ceremony took place during a black-tie gala evening at Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa, hosted by broadcaster Des Cahill.
The category winner was selected through votes cast by IGTOA tour operator members. Established in 1996, the association promotes Ireland as an international golfing destination.
Hotel management expressed gratitude to the tour operators, regional partners, and guests who supported the venue throughout the year. The hotel operates as part of the local O’Donoghue Ring Collection.
GOLF AWARD: Representing the Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa, part of the O’Donoghue Ring Collection, Seán Howley (Group Business Development Manager), Brian Lawlor (Group General Manager), and Tomás O’Gorman (Guest Relations Manager) at the National Golf Tourism Conference
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