A 25-year tradition was continued in Beaufort this week with Mass celebrated at the grotto on Glubba Mountain, Ballyledder.

The grotto was built more than 50 years ago by the late Tom “Tomásín” O’Sullivan, who is remembered as an unsung hero of the community. After deciding the people of Ballyledder and Kilgobnet needed a grotto, Tom set about building it by hand. He carried stone, sand and cement in fertiliser bags from nearby Keel and Kilgobnet, working in the evenings after his day’s work.
When the grotto was completed, he cycled to Knock in County Mayo to bring back a statue for the altar. A year later, he also built a grotto on Cruach Mhór on the way to Carrauntoohil.
Since his passing 25 years ago, his neighbours and friends Micheál O’Sullivan, Mary Duffy (O’Sullivan) and Roisín Duffy have maintained the grotto, keeping it painted and decorated with fresh flowers throughout the year.
This week’s Mass was attended by Reverend Mark Blakely and members of the local community including Mike O’Sullivan, John Kelliher, John Joe O’Sullivan, Joanne Prendeville, Michelle Reynolds, Maeve O’Carroll, Mike Counihan, Christina Hayes, Joan McKenna and Dolores Prendeville