Special mass dedicated to parish stonecutters

VALLEYMOUNT Church held a special mass last Sunday dedicated to the stonecutters of the parish.

The Mass was conducted by Bishop Eamon Walsh who also blessed a granite commemorative bench outside Valleymount Community Hall.

The bench had been presented to the community by Cllr Gerry O’Neill and was crafted by the McEvoys of Ballyknockan.

The inscription on the bench reads: ‘Dedicated to the Quarrymen and Stonemasons of this Parish, Their Hands Shaped Stone Into History.’

The inscription is a reference to all the impressive buildings in Dublin and afar that were built from Ballyknockan granite.

Valleymount Church is a prime example of the unique skills carried out by stonecutters. Ballyknockan stone was also used extensively in the building of well-known Dublin churches such as St Francis Xavier’s, Gardiner Street; St Andrew’s, Westland Row; and St Paul’s, Arran Quay.

Also present at the mass were three of the oldest, surviving stonecutters from the area - Andy Farrington, Michael Freeman and Jim Behan.

After the Mass and blessings the congregation went to Valleymount Hall for refreshments at which €400 was raised to assist with the stage renovations taking place in the hall.

Sean Farrington, Francis Duffy, Jimmy Reid, John McEvoy and Thomas Toomey.

Gwen Behan, Jim Behan, Michael Freeman, Andy Farrington, May Farrington and Angela Freeman.

Cllr Gerry O’Neill who presented the seat to the Valleymount community and John McEvoy who crafted the seat.

Bridie Kavanah, Tony Kavanagh, Anthony Flanagan and Sheila Kenny.

Deacon Gerry Malone, Fr Teddy Downs, Bishop Eamonn Walsh and Fr Richard Behan PP.

Fr Teddy Downs, Paul Riley and Aoife Riley.

Mark Wright, Liz Gardener and John McEvoy.

Jim and Rita Hill.