Canon Lorenzo back for special blessing

CANON Lorenzo Cleary was welcomed back to Barntown Church for the blessing of the restored pulpit panels at Sunday Mass.

The panels, which were put into storage in the 1970s after many years in the Church, were brought to light once again thanks to the work of craftsmen and curators Seamus Morrisey, Tom Dempsey and Tom Wickham.

As one of the last to serve in the church while the panels were in place, Canon Cleary was invited back to make the blessing.

His visit to Barntown prompted recent Rackard League winners Barntown School to bring their cup of victory to Sunday Mass. Canon Cleary, who was the curate at Barntown when Barntown won the Rackard League ‘Roinn A’ hurling in 1965/6, congratulated the team on their win.

‘It was a very happy coincidence that he was back in Barntown again to mark the win,’ said local curate Fr John Carroll.

‘ The team did extremely well. It was a very tough match and the others were very worthy opponents. They played well in cold, frosty and foggy conditions.’

One of these team members was Daniel Brazzill of Barntown, who celebrated his win with granddad Nick Kinsella. The pair proved that sporting success is in the family as both now own Rackard League Football medals. Sixty years prior to Daniel’s win, Nick won a his medal while playing for Kilmore.

Canon Lorenzo Cleary blesses the restored pulpit panels at Sunday Mass in Barntown Church with craftsmen and curators Seamus Morrisey, Tom Dempsey and Tom Wickham.

The Barntown Rackard League winners with their cup at Sunday Mass in Barntown.

Daniel Brazzill, a member of the Rackard League winning Barntown School team, with his granddad Nick Kinsella who won the same medal with Kilmore 60 years ago.