Tuesday 12 March 2024 marked the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the iconic building which served as the original Saint Patrick’s College in Cavan and is now the base for the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre.
Bishop Martin Hayes was the principal celebrant of a special Mass in the Cathedral of Saint Patrick & Saint Felim, Cavan to commemorate this milestone anniversary on Saturday 16 March 2024 at 11:00a.m. Bishop Hayes also delivered the homily. The principal concelebrants were Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop-Emeritus of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland; Archbishop Francis Duffy of Tuam, Bishop-Emeritus Leo O’Reilly of Kilmore, and Bishop Michael Router, Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh – all natives of the diocese and former staff members of the College. They were joined by Monsignor Liam Kelly, P.P., V.G., Ballyconnell; Fr Gerard Alwill, P.P., V.F., Knockninny (former President, St Patrick’s College); Fr John McTiernan, Adm., V.F., Annagh (former President, St Patrick’s College); Fr Andrew Tully, P.P. Killeshandra (College Chaplain); and the priests of the Cathedral Parish of Urney and Annageliff, Fr. Kevin Fay, Adm., Fr. Brian McElhinney C.C., Fr. Thomas Small C.C., and Fr Cyriacus Offor C.C. The deacon was Rev. Jordan Mac Gabhann.
Other priests of the diocese also concelebrated as did some priests from elsewhere who studied in the College down through the years. Civic representatives and representatives from other Churches will be present including Bishop Ferran Glenfield, Church of Ireland Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin, and Ardagh; Canon Mark Lidwell from the Church of Ireland; and Mr Ivan Watson, Pastor of the Cavan Baptist Church. A special message from Pope Francis was read out at the Mass.
Students from the College provided the sacred music at the Mass which included a specially commissioned anthem, “The Belief of St Patrick’s”, which was premiered after the distribution of Holy Communion. Louis McEntee, Oisin Hilton and Ben Lynch composed the melody for the new anthem with lyrics by Andrew Duffy. Ciarán Tackney, music teacher in the College, arranged the anthem. Representatives from both the College and the Diocesan Pastoral Centre participated in the Mass. Other College students fashioned a new Paschal Candle stand for use in The Conaty Chapel within the Diocesan Pastoral Centre which was placed in the sanctuary of the Cathedral during the Mass.
Following Mass, there were commemorative events in the original College building including the planting of a commemorative tree, the unveiling of a special plaque to mark the occasion and a talk by the distinguished historian, Monsignor Liam Kelly, Parish Priest in Ballyconnell and Vicar General of the Diocese of Kilmore. Savina Donohoe, Chairperson of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre’s Management Committee, acted as M.C. Seán Coll, Director of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre, and Christopher Rowley, Principal of St Patrick’s College, addressed the assembled guests. Refreshments were served afterwards in the new College Canteen.
The event was organised by a special 150th Anniversary Planning Committee comprising of Bishop Martin Hayes, Ray Carolan, George Cartwright (Chairperson), Seán Coll (Secretary), Kevin Donohoe, Savina Donohoe, Ray Dunne, Fr John Gilhooly P.P., V.F., and Christopher Rowley
Photographs courtesy of Colm Connaughton, Photographer, Ballyhaise.
Pictured in the Cathedral Sacristy before Mass are Fr. Andrew Tully, PP Killeshandra and Chaplain to St Patrick’s College; Rev. Jordan Mac Gabhann (Deacon); Bishop Michael Router; Archbishop Francis Duffy; Cardinal Seán Brady; Bishop Martin Hayes; Fr. Gerard Alwill, PP Knockninny and former President of St Patrick’s College; Bishop-Emeritus Leo O’Reilly; Monsignor Liam Kelly, PP VG Ballyconnell; and Fr. John McTiernan, Adm. Annagh and former President of St Patrick’s College
Savina Donohoe, Chair of the Management Committee of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre, read the First Reading
Tommy McGibney, Chair of the Board of Management of St Patrick’s College, Cavan, read the Second Reading
Rev. Jordan Mac Gabhann incenses the Book of the Gospels
Bishop Martin Hayes delivered the homily
A View of the Congregation
Mrs Eileen Connolly from the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre and Mrs Geraldine Smith from St Patrick’s College bring up the gifts in the Offertory Procession
The principal concelebrants in the Sanctuary of the Cathedral
The Concelebrating Clergy
Message received from Pope Francis to mark the 150th Anniversary of St Patrick’s College
A candle burned on a new Paschal Candle stand in the sanctuary of the Cathedral during the Mass in memory of former teachers, staff, past pupils, management and benefactors. The stand was designed and created by Transition Year students of St Patrick’s College for use in The Conaty Chapel in the Diocesan Pastoral Centre to mark the 150th anniversary.
The Choir, Orchestra, Traditional Musicians from St Patrick’s College
Guests enjoying the exhibition in the old College building (now the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre)
Bishop Martin Hayes plants a tree to commemorate the 150th Anniversary. Pictured alongside him are Seán Coll, Director of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre; Christopher Rowley, Principal of St Patrick’s College; Gwen Brady, Vice-Principal of St Patrick’s College; Fiona Brady, Vice-Principal of St Patrick’s College; and Savina Donohoe, Chair of the Management Committee of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre
Savina Donohoe, Chair of the Management Committee of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre, welcomes guests
Monsignor Liam Kelly PP VG was the guest speaker
Seán Coll, Director of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre, addresses the guests.
Christopher Rowley, Principal of St Patrick’s College, addresses the assembled guests.
Bishop Martin Hayes with Bishop Ferran Glenfield, Church of Ireland Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh
Bishop Martin Hayes unveils the 150th anniversary commemorative plaque in the company of Gwen Brady, Vice-Principal of St Patrick’s College; Christopher Rowley, Principal of St Patrick’s College; Fiona Brady, Vice-Principal of St Patrick’s College; Bishop-Emeritus Leo O’Reilly; Savina Donohoe, Chair of the Management Committee of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre; Cardinal Seán Brady; and Seán Coll, Director of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre
The 150th Anniversary Commemorative Plaque
Archbishop Francis Duffy of Tuam with fellow natives of the parish of Corlough-Templeport, Brendan Smith TD and Councillor Aine Smith
