Parish TeamParish Priest: Fr. Tim O’Riordan (058) 42036

Parochial House, Strandside South, Abbeyside

A.P. Fr. Richard Doherty (058) 42379

Friars Walk, Abbeyside

Fr. William Dee who is retired and living in the parish, assists with weekend liturgies as do the local Augustinian Community.

Fr. R. Doherty, Fr. W. Dee, Fr. T O’Riordan

Augustinian Community.The Augustinian Fathers have a retirement house at Duckspool. The Community Leader is Fr. Michael Leahy, O.S.A. We are very fortunate that the community assist with the parish weekend liturgies. Telephone No. (058) 23484

Front Row: Fr. C. O’Donnell, Fr. K. O’Brien, Br. P. Lennon

Back Row: Fr. M. Leahy, Fr. C. O’Connor, Fr. J. Crean.

Parish OrganisationsParish Organisations

Organisation Contact Telephone Number

Altar Society Tess Shine (058) 42057Adoration Society Patricia Mulcahy (058) 41853Waterford and Lismore Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Joan Hogan (058) 42103

Parish Office Helen Beresford (058) 45787St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society

Breda Sheehan (058)44238

Parish News Fintan Strain (058) 45787Pioneer Total Abstinence Association

Mary RossiterSarah Mullarkey

(058) 44853(058) 41504

St. Vincent De Paul Society

Stephen Browne (087) 6913650

Support GroupsSupport GroupsOrganisation Contact Telephone

NumberACCORD (051) 878333CURA (051) 876452Rape Crisis Centre 1800 296 296Samaritans (051) 872114Childline 1800 666 666Alcoholics Anonymous (051) 373173Alateen and Alanon,

meeting in Abbeyside Parish Office, Friday 8.30 p.m.West Waterford Bereavement Support Group

Máire Breathnach

(058) 46100

Prayer For Our ParishPrayer For Our ParishLord Jesus Christ, present in the Eucharist,

You are our bread for the journey.We pray before you but our prayer is empty to your

earsunless we take up the challenge,

to live as people of justice,as people of mercy, as people who bring about change

and reconciliation in our families, our community, for the stranger and the outcast.

Help us Lord.Give us the strength to proclaim your kingdom

where the poor are fed, where the lonely are no longer abandoned,

where the abused are healed, and where all can live in peace.

Then, you will truly be praised, as you should be.Lord, be with us in our struggle to make ours

a truly Christian communityAmen.

A Family PrayerA Family PrayerFather,

Keep us close to you and to each other.Forgive us as we forgive when we hurt and disappoint

one another.

Help us to support each other in times of sadness and difficulty;

To share the joys and good times together;To keep in touch with those who are separated from us;

And to welcome home those of our familyWho are at home with you and to whom we owe so

much.Guide and protect each one of us.

Keep us in love of you and of each other.And at life’s end, bring us safely home, to be with

you and with your family forever, Amen

Parish OfficeParish Office

Parish Office Staff : Moll Shields (058) 45787

Helen Beresford.Fintan Strain.

The Parish Office is located next to the Parochial House and the staff there will always try to help you with any enquires. Weddings and baptisms are booked through the office and it is also the point of contact for baptismal and marriage certificates. The office is available to parish and voluntary groups as a venue for meetings. Any such group is welcome to contact the office regarding availability. The monthly Parish News and Parish Bulletins are published by the office throughout the year.

Moll Shields, Helen Beresford and Fintan Strain.

Abbeyside Reference ArchiveAbbeyside Reference ArchiveThe Abbeyside Archive is located at the Parish Office and is open to visitors on Sunday afternoons as advertised. It is well worth a visit!

Church ServicesChurch ServicesSt. Augustine’s Church,St. Augustine’s Church,

AbbeysideAbbeyside

Feast Day:Feast Day: 2828thth AugustAugust

Sacristy: (058) 24229

Sacristan: Eileen O’Donovan. (058) 44692

MassesMasses

Saturday: Vigil Mass: 7.00 p.m.

Sunday; 9.30 a.m. and 12.00 noon.

Holy Days Masses as on Sunday.

Monday – Saturday: 10.00 a.m. Mass

ConfessionsConfessions:: Saturdays: 6.30 p.m.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament:Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament:

Tuesdays: 10.30 – 5.00 p.m.

National Schools in our ParishScoil Mhuire, AbbeysidePrincipal: Finbarr KeohanTelephone No. (058) 41102

Garranbane National SchoolPrincipal: Don SheilTelephone No. (058) 41607

Scoil GharbháinPrincipal: Siobhán ÁghasTelephone No. (058) 42173

Local Secondary SchoolsSt. Augustine’s College, DuckspoolPrincipal: Joseph A. Moynihan.Telephone No. (058) 41140

Dungarvan C.B.S., Mitchel Street, DungarvanPrincipal: Anne Prendergast.Telephone No. (058) 41185Coláiste Cathal Naofa, Youghal Road.

Principal: Pat Buckley.Telephone No. (058) 41184Ard Scoil na nDéise, Convent Road, DungarvanPrincipal: Dorothy Hughes.Telephone No. (058) 41464

Church of IrelandChurch of IrelandVery Rev. William Beare, Dean of LismoreThe Deanery, Lismore.Lismore Cathedral Group of Parishes (058) 54105

(087) 2331508

Note From The Welcome Booklet Team

This booklet has two purposes. Firstly, it aims to give a brief account of church services and information. Secondly, it draws attention to the many services and activities which exist within our parish, and which have little, or perhaps, no connection with the church.

We would like to thank everyone who helped in compiling the contents of this publication including Eugene Burke, Colm Nagle, Deirdre Moore, Tom Keith, Betty Tutty, Deirdre Collender Christina Moore and Abbeyside Archives for the photographs.

Carers Association Waterford (051) 857970Child Abuse (051) 842800Oasis House Women’s Refuge (Domestic Violence)

(051) 370367

St. John’s Pastoral Centre (051 874199Glencomeragh House of Prayer (052) 33181Gracedieu Retreat House (051) 374417St. Joseph’s /District Hospital (058) 20900Waterford Regional Hospital (051) 848000Community Care, Waterford (051) 842000MABS (Money Advice) (058) 44922Golden Meadows Retirement Village (058) 40200Friends of St. Martin (058) 41504Community Drugs Initiative (058) 48946Déise Day Centre (058) 44556Charismatic Prayer Group (058) 42192Dungarvan Gospel Choir (058) 45320Chamber of Commerce (058) 45054Dungarvan Youth Reach (058) 44997Mother to Mother Group (086) 3914269People with Disabilities Ireland (058) 23740Dungarvan Youth Information Centre (058) 41698Funeral Directors: Drohans Kielys

(058) 43211(058) 42200

Abbeyside Post Office (058) 43778

Welcome Booklet Team.Seated left to right: Niamh Connnolly, Betty Tutty, Marita

Collins, Tom Keith, Anne Fleming, Fr. Tim O’Riordan, and Paul Clerkin. (Missing from photo are Maura Bergin, Deirdre Moore and Jonathan O’Donovan)

Parish Pastoral CouncilsEach church community has its own Area Council which meets on a regular basis.

AbbeysideChairperson: Eileen O’Donovan (058) 44692Secretary: Deirdre Moore (058) 43320

BallinroadChairperson: Patrick Morrissey (058) 44953Secretary: Valerie Leo (058) 42508

GarranbaneChairperson: Liam Carroll (051) 293251Secretary: Anne Veale (058) 42257

Parish Choirs

We are very fortunate to have a group of very dedicated people in our choirs. We would always welcome new members.

Abbeyside Vigil ChoirAbbeyside Vigil ChoirAbbeyside Vigil Choir was formed in 1992 under the leadership of Deirdre Collender. There are presently 20 members who sing at the 7.00 p.m. Mass in Abbeyside

Church every second week. Practice takes place (2006/2007) every second Tuesday night in Abbeyside Church from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. The choir practices from September to the end of April only, but continues to sing at

the liturgies until the end of June (not during July and August). New members are always welcome at the start of the season. Enquiries to Deirdre Collender on (058) 44135.

feasts in the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore. Couples are required to attend a Pre-marriage Course if they wish to marry in the Catholic Church. Bookings for pre-marriage courses may be made with the Accord Office (051-878333). Other details regarding weddings in the parish are available from the Parish Office at the time of booking one of the churches.

FuneralsFuneralsNormally, funerals are arranged with the priests through one of the funeral directors. The priest will assist the family in any way he can. He will also help with choosing suitable scripture readings and prayers for the funeral liturgy. The West Waterford Bereavement Support Group (058) 46100 supports people who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

ConfessionsConfessionsAbbeyside Saturdays 6.30 p.m.Ballinroad First Fridays 7.00 p.m.Confessions are arranged for each church during Holy Week and Christmas. Penitential Services are also arranged. The priests are always available if anyone wishes to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance.

Polish ChaplaincyPolish ChaplaincyA reminder that the Diocesan Polish Chaplain celebrates Mass on the first Sunday of the month in St. Mary’s Parish Church, Dungarvan at 1.30 p.m.

Witamy Polaków należących do naszej parafii.Jeżeli możemy Wam w czymkolwiek pomoc, prosimy skontaktować się z nami. Przypominamy, że polski ksiądz Emil odprawia Mszę Świętą w każdą pierwszą niedzielę miesiąca w Kościele Św. Marii (St. Mary’s Parish Chuch), w Dungarvan, o godzinie 13:30.

Education Services

Creches and Pre-Schools

Tír na nÓgLower King Street, Abbeyside.Manager: Siobhán Buckley.Telephone No. (058) 43489

The Little School of MontessoriClonea Road, Abbeyside.Manager: Catriona Cullinan.Telephone No. (058) 41535

Tina’s Kinder CareFriars Walk, Abbeyside.Manager: Catriona Brennan-Shanley.Telephone No. (058) 41447

Tigh SúgradhClonea LowerManagers:Fiona and Threasa Power.Telephone No. (058) 23812

Ballinroad Hall Pre-SchoolBallinroad Hall Pre-SchoolSt. Laurence’s Hall, Ballinroad.Manager: Carol Whelan.Telephone No. (058) 45785

St. Laurence’s Church, Ballinroad St. Laurence’s Church, Ballinroad

Feast Day:Feast Day: 1010thth August August

Sacristan: Kathleen Murray. (058) 42633

Masses

Sunday: 10.00 a.m.

Holy Days: 10.00 a.m.

First Friday: 7.30 p.m.

Confessions: First Friday: 7.00 p.m.

St. Vincent de Paul’s Church,St. Vincent de Paul’s Church, GarranbaneGarranbane

Feast Day:Feast Day: 2727thth September SeptemberSacristan: Carroll Family.

Masses

Sunday: 11.00 a.m.

Holy Days: Vigil Mass: 7.30 p.m.

Eucharistic AdorationEucharistic Adoration.Adoration takes place in Abbeyside Church on Tuesdays from 10.30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. We are encouraged to spend time before Jesus in The Blessed Sacrament and to pray for the sick, those in need, our parish community and for peace in the world. Group contact: Patricia Mulcahy (058) 41853.

RosaryRosaryThe Rosary is recited publicly on weekdays in Abbeyside Church before the 10.00 a.m. Mass.

BaptismsBaptismsBaptisms are arranged through the Parish Office (058

45787) and at least four weeks notice is

requested. Members of the Parish Baptism Team will visit each family, prior to the ceremony.

Baptisms take place in Abbeyside on the 2nd and 4th

weekend of the month.

Saturday 6.00 p.m. Sunday 1.00 p.m.

Baptisms take place in Ballinroad on the 2nd and 4th

Saturdays at 5.00 p.m.

Garranbane by arrangement with the priests through the Parish Office.

WeddingsWeddingsThree months notice is required for the three churches in the parish. Three months is also required by the civil authorities (Registrar of Marriages located in local Hospital)

Booking for weddings are made through the Parish Office. No weddings are allowed on Sundays, Holy Days or other special Abbeyside, Ballinroad and Garranbane Abbeyside, Ballinroad and Garranbane Children’s Liturgy GroupChildren’s Liturgy GroupChildren from First Class upwards are encouraged to join the parish Children’s Liturgy Group which ministers at 12.00 noon Sunday Mass in Abbeyside except the first Sunday of each month. This is always a lively liturgy which is very popular with families. The parish is very fortunate to have a dedicated group of adult and youth leaders and musicians to lead our young ones. The children sing as well as often enhancing the liturgy with drama and movement. The group also help with the Christmas and Holy Week Liturgies. The group normally practice on Thursday nights at Abbeyside Church from 6.45 - 8.00 p.m. For more information please contact Deirdre Moore on (058) 43320.

Ballinroad ChoirBallinroad ChoirThe Choir of St. Laurence’s Church, Ballinroad was founded about six years ago in succession to the more traditional choir which had served the parish for decades. The Choir provides sacred music and hymns for the many

celebrations in church there. These include Sunday and Holyday Masses as well as on other special occasions. They also come together for special occasions in the life of the parish, and were a valuable part of the bicentenary celebrations in 2004. There are about sixteen in number including their musicians and Musical Director Ann Ryan. They have their regular practice on Thursday nights at 8.00 p.m. and are open to new members. Those who wish to

join may contact Ann at (058) 43389.

Garranbane ChoirGarranbane ChoirGarranbane Choir was formed in 2000 under the leadership of

Deirdre Collender. Currently there are 22 members, 12 under the age of 16 and 10 adults. The commitment is every second Sunday throughout the year except July and August. Practice is held (2006/2007) every second Tuesday night from 7.30pm to 8.30pm in Garranbane Church. New members always welcome at the start of the new season. Enquiries to Deirdre Collender on (058) 44135

Collections.Collections.The parish depends on the Sunday offertory collection to cover the running of the parish and for the upkeep and maintenance of the churches, buildings and graveyards. We ask people to be as generous as possible in supporting this collection. More help with carrying out the collections in the three churches would be appreciated. Our thanks to our faithful collectors at all our Masses and to those who distribute envelopes and other material to the homes of the parish. New distributors are always welcome especially for the new areas of the parish. If you are new to our parish, residing in a new housing development and willing to help, please contact the Parish Office on (058) 45787.

Ministers of the Word (Readers)Ministers of the Word (Readers)Proclaiming the Scriptures in the Liturgy is a very important ministry in the Christian Community. Ministers of the Word have the privilege of making the Word of God known to the People of God who are gathered. New people are always welcome to this ministry and training will be provided for all who volunteer. For more information please call to the sacristy after Mass or contact the Parish Office.

Altar ServersAltar ServersBoth girls and boys are always welcome to join in the three teams of young servers in our churches. They assist at weekend liturgies, funerals,

weddings and other special occasions and seasons. Parents permission is required and anyone with an interest should contact the Sacristan or the Parish Office.

Ministers of the EucharistThe ministry of sharing the Eucharist at Mass and bringing the Bread of Life to the housebound sick is another important ministry in our community. There is a rota in each church for all involved in this ministry. Again, we always welcome new volunteers and training is provided.

Altar SocietyAltar SocietyThe decoration of the sanctuary in each church with flowers for Sundays, the seasons and feasts of the liturgical year is done by a very dedicated group of parishioners.

Altar cloths and linen for the liturgy are also cleaned/washed on a regular basis. Parishioners are always welcome to help in this essential ministry. Anyone who might help please contact Tess Shine, Abbeyside, on (058) 42057 in Abbeyside, Valerie Leo, Ballinroad on (058) 42508 and Mary Looby, Garranbane on (058) 41354.

Welcome friends, neighbours and new residents,

On behalf of everyone involved in our parish, I welcome you to this new Parish Information Booklet. It is one of a number of initiatives undertaken over the past few months to help communications in the parish and especially to welcome new people who have settled in the parish over recent times.

This first edition is being delivered to every home and we hope that you will find it informative and helpful. I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in its production and in its delivery to your home.

This is a time of great change and development in our area, but it is also a time when a sense of belonging and community is needed more than ever. We all have different gifts and talents which, when harnessed, make for the creation of a community that is warm, welcoming, vibrant and alive. We invite you to become involved in making our parish such a community.

Again welcome and we extend an invitation to all to join us for worship at any of our liturgies. You will be made very welcome.

With every blessing,

____________________________Tim O’Riordan,Parish Priest.

UPDATING INFORMATION

Have you moved into our Parish

Or

Moved house within the Parish?

We would like to keep the Parish Register up to date and would appreciate the following information.

Name/s: _______________________________________

Address: _______________________________________

Phone No. _______________________________________

This form can be given to any of the Priests or

dropped into the sacristy before or after Mass.

Contents

PageWelcome

2

Note from Welcome Booklet Team 3Parish History 4/5Parish Team 6Parish Office 7Church Services

8Parish Area Councils 9Parish Choirs and Children’s Liturgy GroupChurch MinistriesEucharistic AdorationRosaryBaptismsWeddingsFuneralsConfessionsPolish ChaplaincyEducation Services –

Creches and PreschoolsNational and Local Secondary Schools

Prayer for our Parish and FamilyContact Numbers for: Parish Organisations

Support GroupsCommunity GroupsUseful Telephone Numbers

Please note that the contents are the latest available to us at the time of publishing. Some of it may be altered

subsequently and we cannot accept any responsibility for errors in or omissions from this publication.

Parish HistoryParish HistoryThe Parish of Abbeyside, Ballinroad and Garranbane has a very long history, best indicated by the fact that a church stands on the site of Abbeyside Parish Church since about 1290 when the monks of the Augustinian Order first arrived here; St. Laurence’s Church, Ballinroad celebrated its bicentenary in 2004 and the

Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Garranbane celebrates 200 years of service in this year of 2007.

Prior to the two rural churches, there was a church in Clonea which spans the Celtic/Norman transition and probably one in Kilgrovan where ogham stones were discovered which were removed to Mt. Melleray and are now in the National Museum. In Kilminnion, there is a small graveyard, but no visible sign of a church remains.

The Church of St. Augustine in Abbeyside was the second of the Augustinian Monasteries in Ireland after Dublin and was founded by Thomas Lord Offaly about 1290. He became Chief Justice of Ireland in 1295 and he died in 1296. Of the Abbey buildings proper, only a portion of the monastic church, i.e. "The Cloghás" and the tower survive until this day.

The modern church is a plain rectangle in plan and was built in 1832-4. The cemetery is also part of the monastery which was dissolved in 1540 and from that date until the transfer of their college from Dungarvan to Duckspool in 1972, there were no Augustinians officially resident in Abbeyside.

In recent years, the parish, both rural and urban, has experienced a huge growth in population, most notably with the building of large housing estates in both Abbeyside and Ballinroad. When the present building proposals are complete, Ballinroad will have in the region of 600 houses with an appropriately large population. Sixty years ago, there were barely twelve houses in the same area.

The population of the parish is about 5,500 and baptisms number about 65 annually. There are three national schools in the parish, - Scoil Mhuire, Abbeyside, Garranbane National School and Scoil Gharbháin, Abbeyside.

Ballinroad Soccer Club Vincent Tobin (058) 44277Abbeyside Soccer Club Michael Morrissey

Causeway Tennis Club Clubhouse (058) 42813Abbeyside/Ballinacourty G.A.A.

(058) 41467

Dungarvan Rugby Club (058) 44949Gold Coast Golf and Leisure

(058) 42249

Dungarvan Golf Club (058) 43310Abbeyside Ballinacourty Handball

(058) 41140

Na Déise Pigeon Club Peter Whelan (051) 291878(086) 8772680

Ballinroad I.C.A. Monica DwaneFrances O’Brien

(087) 6726558(051) 6700572

For information regarding all other sports, recreational and leisure activities, please contact Rosarie Kealy, Waterford Sports Partnership on: (058) 21190 – www.waterfordsportspartnership.ie

Useful Telephone Numbers.

Name Contact NumberDoctors

Dr. James Stacey (058) 41106Dr. David Mahoney (058) 42210Dr. Richard Brady (058) 41262Dr. Maurice O’Sullivan (058) 41162Dr. Tom Higgins. (058) 41227Dr. Charles Daly (058) 42401Care Doc (Weekends/Out of Hours) 1850 334 999Social Welfare Office (058) 20922/20540

Talk It Over 1850 201 249

Pongo Joan Hogan (058) 42103

Senior Citizens Betty Tutty (058) 41647

Stroke Club Agnes Collins (058) 41544

West Waterford Hospice Support Group

Contact through your local Doctor.

GROW Sr. Gertrude (058) 45554

Adult Learning Centre Nicola McCarthy-Hanlon

(058) 42774

Alzheimers Society of Ireland West Waterford Branch

Mary Waters (058) 48571/(086) 8362619

Aware (Depression) 1890 303 302

Cáirde (Disability) Nell Supple (058) 46243

Community GroupsCommunity Groups

Organisation Contact Telephone Number

Girl Guides and Brownies

Jenny Power (086) 8177746

Ladybirds Siobhán O’Mahony

Scouts Eamonn TerryBrendan Kiersey

(086) 6090076

Reference Archives Séamus O’Brien (058) 41660Community Alert Joan Hogan (058) 42103Gardaí (058) 42370Probus Noirín Uí

Chionaola(058) 42156

Citizens Information Centre

(058) 44633

St. Laurence’s Hall, Ballinroad

Moll Shields (058) 45785

The three parish churches are in excellent condition, all having been modernised over the last three decades, with all churches receiving a second refurbishing in recent years.

Abbeyside, or in Irish, Dún na Mainistreach, the Fort of the Monastery is a combination of the secular and the sacred. The fort goes back to the keep belonging to the McGraths of Sleady and the monastery founded by the Augustinians. The Village, as the long time residents like to refer to their home place, has a long marine tradition, having been an industrious and productive fishing village for centuries.

Abbeyside also had the longest running Pattern celebrations in the country, as the people celebrated the feast of St. Augustine annually, sometimes with week-long ceremonies and games. We hope that it will be revived in the near future.

Ballinroad is a very interesting title, because the ‘Road’ referred to is an Irish word in its own standing. Baile an Róid was preferred to ‘Baile an Bóthair’ as ‘an Róid’ is a poetic word for Bóthair.

Garranbane means ‘The White Grove’ and part of its territory was once in Kilgobinet Parish until it became part of Garranbane in 1862

This parish of Abbeyside, Ballinroad and Garranbane was one of the last to be amalgamated, and apart from parts of Garranbane, was probably as it is now, since about 1750.

Parishioners, particularly those who were born here and those of long standing are justifiably proud of their historic roots and the Christian legacy which has been bestowed on them.

WelcomeWelcomeTo theTo the

Parish of Abbeyside,Parish of Abbeyside, Ballinroad andBallinroad and

GarranbaneGarranbane

St. Augustine’s

Church, Abbeyside

St. Laurence’s Church,Ballinroad

St. Vincent de Paul’s Church, Garranbane

Parish HistoryParish History

The Parish of Abbeyside, Ballinroad and Garranbane has a very long history, best indicated by the fact that a church stands on the site of Abbeyside Parish Church since about 1290 when the monks of the Augustinian Order first arrived here; St. Laurence’s Church, Ballinroad celebrated its bicentenary in 2004 and the Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Garranbane celebrates 200 years of service in this year of 2007.

Prior to the two rural churches, there was a church in Clonea which spans the Celtic/Norman transition and probably one in Kilgrovan where ogham stones were discovered which were removed to Mt. Melleray and are now in the National Museum. In Kilminnion, there

is a small graveyard, but no visible sign of a church remains.

The Church of St. Augustine in Abbeyside was the second of the Augustinian Monasteries in Ireland after Dublin and was founded by Thomas Lord Offaly about 1290. He became Chief Justice of Ireland in 1295 and he died in 1296. Of the Abbey buildings proper, only a portion of the monastic church, i.e. "The Cloghás" and the tower survive until this day.

The modern church is a plain rectangle in plan and was built in 1832-4. The cemetery is also part of the monastery which was dissolved in 1540 and from that date until the transfer of their college from Dungarvan to Duckspool in 1972, there were no Augustinians officially resident in Abbeyside.

In recent years, the parish, both rural and urban, has experienced a huge growth in population, most notably with the building of large housing estates in both Abbeyside and Ballinroad. When the present building proposals are complete, Ballinroad will have in the region of 600 houses with an appropriately large population. Sixty years ago, there were barely twelve houses in the same area.

The population of the parish is about 5,500 and baptisms number about 65 annually. There are three national schools in the parish, - Scoil Mhuire, Abbeyside, Garranbane National School and Scoil Gharbháin, Abbeyside.

The three parish churches are in excellent condition, all having been modernised over the last three decades, with all churches receiving a second refurbishing in recent years.

Abbeyside, or in Irish, Dún na Mainistreach, the Fort of the Monastery is a combination of the secular and the sacred. The fort goes back to the keep belonging to the McGraths of Sleady and the monastery founded by the Augustinians. The Village, as the long time residents like to refer to their home place, has a long marine tradition, having been an industrious and productive fishing village for centuries.

Abbeyside also had the longest running Pattern celebrations in the country, as the people celebrated the feast of St. Augustine annually, sometimes with week-long ceremonies and games. We hope that it will be revived in the near future.

Ballinroad is a very interesting title, because the ‘Road’ referred to is an Irish word in its own standing. Baile an Róid was preferred to ‘Baile an Bóthair’ as ‘an Róid’ is a poetic word for Bóthair.

Garranbane means ‘The White Grove’ and part of its territory was once in Kilgobinet Parish until it became part of Garranbane in 1862

This parish of Abbeyside, Ballinroad and Garranbane was one of the last to be amalgamated, and apart from parts of Garranbane, was probably as it is now, since about 1750.

Parishioners, particularly those who were born here and those of long standing are justifiably proud of their historic roots and the Christian legacy which has been bestowed on them.

WelcomeWelcomeWe hope you will find this introduction to our parish

informative and useful.

Sveiki

Remembering Days Gone ByRemembering Days Gone By