Walkers step back in time in Ashford
PARISHIONERS of Killiskey and Ashford took a step back in time as they enjoyed a special ecumenical walk that traced their roots on Sunday last, May 28.
Both parishes are celebrating important milestone this year; it’s the bicentenary of the Church of the Ireland’s Nun’s Cross Church in Killiskey while the Catholic Most Holy Rosary Church in Ashford has reached its centenary.
Last Sunday’s walk, which was organised by Revd Ken Rue of Nun’s Cross and Fr Eamon Crosson of Ashford, began at the old Killiskey church and graveyard which was the original church of Killiskey Parish.
As Killiskey Church was established by the Augustinian Order, the walkers were joined by Canon Kieran O’Mahony, an Augustinian Friar. Those who built the church were likely to have had links to St Kevin and it was on the pilgrim route to Glendalough.
Ashford man Tony Dunne was responsible for getting a group together to wrestle the ruined church and its graveyard back from the undergrowth. This important work began in 2004 and continues today.
Tony gave a history of the church from its establishment in early Christian times to its decline which began in the 12th century. However, people from across the community, both Anglican and Catholic, continued to bury their dead in the graveyard and Tony’s great-grandmother was the last person to be interred there in 1970.
Following prayers led by Canon O’Mahony, the large group walked the three kilometre journey to Nun’s Cross Church. There, Revd Rue outlined the history of the church and also gave details of the bicentenary celebrations which include a flower festival from September 1 to 3 and a Bicentenary Service which will be celebrated by the Archbishop of Dublin on October 28 – the exact anniversary of the consecration of the church.
The walkers then headed for the Church of the Most Holy Rosary where they were greeted by Fr Crosson. Maurice Corr outlined details of their parish celebrations which include a special Mass on June 30, which will be celebrated by the Archbishop of Dublin with Fr Eamon and former priests of the parish; a pilgrim walk on July 29 and a parish mission in October.
Local historian Dick Fitzpatrick gave a brief outline of the history of the church.
As this year is also the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Canon O’Mahony gave a talk in the parish centre on Reformation and the links between Martin Luther and the Augustinian order.