News
Kilcummin celebrates golden jubilee of Our Lady of Lourdes Church
The parish of Kilcummin marked a milestone on June 21 when Bishop Ray Browne celebrated a special Golden Jubilee Mass to honour the 50th anniversary of Our Lady of Lourdes Church.
Bishop Ray welcomed several concelebrants who have ministered in the parish over the past five decades, including Fr Kieran O'Brien, Fr Joe Begley, Fr Larry Kelly, Fr Tom Looney, Fr Jim Lenihan, and Deacon Thady O'Connor.
During the ceremony, Bishop Ray highlighted the remarkable community spirit alive in Kilcummin.
He noted that over its 50-year history, the church has hosted 1,920 baptisms, 520 weddings, and 850 funerals.
The celebration also welcomed back individuals who shared historical ties to the church's earliest days. In attendance were Marian Keane and Timmy O'Keeffe of Gneeveguilla, who celebrated the very first wedding in the church.
George Lenihan and Eimear Mangan, who recorded the first parish baptism in June 1976, were also present.
Additionally, original 1976 parish building committee members Tom Dalton, Dermot Keane, and Johnny Guerin joined the congregation to mark the occasion.
Following the Mass, the community gathered at the Kilcummin School Gym for refreshments and social interaction.
Local schoolchildren publish parish book
A key highlight of the Golden Jubilee celebrations was the launch of a 19-page colour information booklet acting as a guide to the church, its grounds, the grotto, Mass Rock, and parish cemeteries.
The booklet was entirely researched and written by the sixth-class pupils of the three local parish national schools: Anabla, Coolick, and Kilcummin.
Fr Kieran O'Brien praised the efforts of the mostly 13-year-old students, calling the publication a remarkable and valuable legacy as they finish primary school and prepare for post-primary education this coming September.
The Parish Council extended their gratitude to Éamonn Fitzgerald for overseeing the project and getting it into print, as well as Community Employment workers Helen, Margaret, Iryna, and Maura for printing and compiling the final booklets.
Complimentary copies of the Golden Jubilee booklet are available for parishioners and visitors. You can pick up a copy directly from:
Siobhán McSweeney, Parish Secretary
Kilcummin Rural Development Office
Kilcummin Parish Pastoral Council
The members of the Kilcummin Parish Pastoral Council who helped coordinate the Golden Jubilee celebrations are:
Clare Fleming (Chairperson)
Éamonn Fitzgerald
Fr Kieran O’Brien
Ann Marie Keane
Theresa Kerins
Siobhán McSweeney
Irene O’Keeffe
Gearóid O’Sullivan
The fifth annual Pedal for Grace community fundraiser will take place in Firies on Saturday, September 5, with organisers aiming to push total funds raised past the €90,000 milestone.
Held in honour of local girl Grace O’Sullivan, who lives with Stargardt disease, the event brings together cyclists, walkers, and supporters from across the local community to raise vital funds for Vision Ireland. Over the past four years, the initiative has raised almost €90,000 for the national sight loss charity.
This year’s event offers options for all fitness levels, including a 60km route, shorter spins, and a walking course, with tandem options also available. Following the physical challenges, the day will feature a community barbecue, family fun activities, a raffle, and an evening of music and entertainment.
Grace was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a genetic eye condition that affects central vision and causes progressive sight loss. The annual event was established by her family to raise awareness and support Vision Ireland’s work, which provides practical and emotional support, rehabilitation services, and assistive technology to help people living with visual impairments maintain independence.
Members of the public are invited to register in advance or support the event in Firies on the day. Full details and registration information are available on the Vision Ireland website.
Top golf scores at Mahony’s Point
Ivan Tagney and Aoife Twomey secured top honours at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club as members turned out in large numbers to compete for Captain Tomás Kelliher’s Prize on Mahony’s Point.
In the men’s event, Ivan Tagney claimed the Captain’s Prize with an impressive 42 points. Conor Dillon carded 48 points, returning the lowest score of the weekend, though he was ineligible for the main trophy without an established handicap.
Despite wet weather, the ladies section produced remarkable scoring on Sunday. Aoife Twomey took first place playing off 28 handicap, recording a nett 63. June O’Brien finished runner-up with a 67 nett, followed by Kay O’Connor in third with a 69 nett.
Captain Tomás Kelliher extended his thanks to the committee, staff, and volunteers for organising the flagship competition, praising the course condition and strong turnout across both events.
Results
Men’s Captain’s Prize 1st: Ivan Tagney (42 pts) Best Score: Conor Dillon (48 pts) 3rd: Joseph Sheahan (41 pts) 4th: Michael Cotter (41 pts) 5th: Emmet Scanlon (41 pts) 6th: Ian Sherlock (41 pts) 7th: Cathal O’Connor (40 pts) 8th: Aaron McCann (40 pts) 9th: Dan Quirke (40 pts) 10th: Mark Tuite (40 pts) 11th: Alan O’Meara (40 pts) 12th: Donal Begley (40 pts) Best Gross: Donal Considine (72) Category 1: 1st Kevin Leacy (39 pts), 2nd Ian Cronin (39 pts) Category 2: 1st Adam Carey (40 pts), 2nd Jack Crehan (40 pts) Category 3: 1st John McEnery (40 pts), 2nd Thomas Coleman (39 pts) Category 4: 1st Mike Dreelan (38 pts), 2nd Jason Reen (38 pts) Front Nine: Aaron Coffey (24 pts) Back Nine: Chris Myers (24 pts) Past Captain: Pat Cussen (38 pts) Over 70: Joe Geaney (39 pts) Committee Prize: Shane Horgan (38 pts) Guest Prize: Jack Kelliher
Ladies Captain’s Prize 1st: Aoife Twomey – 63 (28) 2nd: June O’Brien – 67 (20) 3rd: Kay O’Connor – 69 (13) 4th: Louise Langan – 70 (19) 5th: Mary Tobin – 71 (20) 6th: Geraldine Tarrant – 71 (26) 7th: Kathleen O’Keefe – 71 (19) 8th: Noreen O’Callaghan – 72 (18) 9th: Anne Moynihan – 72 (2) 10th: Breda Duggan – 72 (29) Best Gross: Kelly O’Donoghue (76) Front Nine: Kate O’Leary Back Nine: Sarah O’Brien 13-Hole Competition: Maud Malone – 24 pts (28)
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