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.

Kilcummin Men’s Shed goes jaunting!

Three jaunting cars, a gang of Kilcummin characters, two unsuspecting Americans and a few amorous stags. What could go wrong?

There was no shortage of horsepower, laughs or local characters when Kilcummin Men’s Shed descended on Killarney for a memorable morning out on Friday, October 16.
Swapping their usual surroundings for something more traditional, the lads climbed aboard three jaunting cars at the Ha-Ha before setting off through Killarney National Park.
Wrapped up in blankets and looking every inch the distinguished gentlemen, the group enjoyed the spectacular autumn scenery, fresh air and plenty of good-natured banter.
Of course, their timing couldn’t have been better. With the deer rutting season in full swing, Killarney’s famous red stags were busy roaring, strutting and competing for female attention.
Some of the Kilcummin lads reportedly recognised similar behaviour from their younger days, although others wisely maintained a dignified silence!
But the real entertainment began when one carriage picked up two American tourists from Utah.
The visitors had presumably expected a peaceful journey through Killarney’s beautiful countryside, perhaps with a bit of local history and some wildlife spotting.
Instead, they found themselves sharing a carriage with members of Kilcummin Men’s Shed, a group well able to provide their own unique brand of Irish entertainment!
Quite what the Americans made of their unexpected travelling companions remains unknown, but they’ll certainly have a story to bring home.
Meanwhile, the horses patiently carried their cheerful passengers through the park, while the camera captured plenty of smiles, laughter and a few poses worthy of a royal procession.
By the time the three-carriage convoy returned to the Ha-Ha, everyone was delighted with their morning’s adventure.
The group thanked the jarveys, their hardworking horses and everyone involved in organising the outing.
Beyond the laughs, the excursion highlighted the friendship, companionship, and community spirit at the heart of Kilcummin Men’s Shed, where getting together and enjoying life matter most.
As the lads proudly declare, “Growing old is compulsory, but growing up is entirely optional!”
As for the two Americans, nobody knows whether they’ve recovered from their unexpected introduction to Kilcummin humour. One thing’s certain: they got considerably more than the standard sightseeing tour!