CORRIN CROSS - AN IMPOSING STRUCTURE
With local walks and Coillte trails proving popular and within reach of many during the current 5Km travel limit lockdown, for those within view of the great ‘hill’ of Corrin, just outside Fermoy, the area offers an attractive option.
So, what exactly is the history of the cross at the top of Corrin? The spectacular structure sitting prominently on the summit overlooking the nearby Cork-Dublin motorway, is well known far and wide and a landmark for many travelling between Cork and Dublin. Corrin hill itself rises to a height of some 222 metres (728 feet), and the mound at the summit - ‘Carn Thiernagh’ – dates to the Bronze Age, over 3,000 years ago. According to Coillte’s description of Corrin, ‘The Druid Mogh Ruith is said to be buried here. Encircling the summit are the remains of a ring fort which dates to the early Iron Age’.
The Fourteen Stations of the Cross dot the forest road up to the summit, representing the final events in the Passion of Christ. Fitting then that the cross structure has been lit on many occasions, during times of celebration in Christmas and Easter.
Pope Pius XI proclaimed 1933 a ‘Holy Year’, being the nineteenth century of the Redemption of mankind and it was that year, that the imposing stone cross was erected on the peak by a local group headed by Michael Magnier.
The cross stands 30ft in height, built on rought sandstone boulders tahen from the carn, which was once moulded by the skilful stonework of local mason, William O’Connell and his brother Michael.
An interesting story found on the ‘Schools’ Collection’ of Dúchas archives, has recorded the following story of Corrin from the period 1937-39 by Adair, Fermoy pupil, William Turpin, the result of a ‘story told by his teacher’, who it is understood was Caitlín, Bean Mhic Giolla Ríogh.
‘An Irish chieftain who lived in the district of Fermoy, Co. Cork, had an only son about whom an old woman prophesied that he would die by drowning. The father, fearing for his son’s safety, conceived the idea of keeping his son away from water by building a residence on a mountain called Corrin, which is about three miles from the town of Fermoy, and he immediately put his plan into execution.
‘While the workmen commenced operations, the son wandered around looking with interest at the work. When he came to a large barrel which was full of water, he looked into it and, losing his balance, he tumbled into the water and was drowned. When his father heard this, he was so grieved that he stopped all work on the house, as the purpose for which he was building the house was now useless. So up to this day a heap of stones is to be seen on Corrin.
‘During the Holy Year a cross was erected on Corrin in memory of the Eucharistic Congress, by local subscriptions. This cross can be seen by all the surrounding district.’
An interesting tale indeed!
UNVEILING CEREMONY
Local Kevin Walsh, recalls his father’s memories of attending the unveiling ceremony of the cross, back in 1933.
“My late father, John, attended the unveiling ceremony of Corrin cross as a boy of nine way back in the special Holy Year of 1933. He asked a local horse-trainer if he might look through his binoculars. The man readily agreed and our dad panned over the great vista, before his gaze came to rest on the town far below. Instantly its streets, houses, shops and majestic river and foaming weir seemed to leap up from their foundations and rush dramatically towards him.
“The boy was startled and involuntarily stepped back from what had suddenly been transformed it seemed into a vertiginous cliff edge. The trainer just laughed, but our dad was left with the intensity of an optical illusion that remained with him for the rest of his life!”
“Then, exactly fifty years later, my brother David stood near the cross as a choir member for a Mass marking the special Holy Year of 1983. I was not there of course, but from where we lived back then I glimpsed the crowd clustered around the monument and heard faint snatches of the hymns and prayers wafting on the June evening breeze. Dave never forgot how a dark and threatening cloud loomed ominously. It seemed a torrential downpour was about to break at any moment.
“But then the clouds broke up and the evening became fine and bright again, so strongly evoking the mystery of the cross that if suffering can be borne with love, all darkness and shadow is driven away”.
“For me, that gentle richly forested hill is the quintessential symbol of Fermoy both at home and abroad. To those who glance in its direction, the cross is distant and remote, even if sometimes enlivened through illumination on rare special occasions.”
‘COMMANDING HILLTOP SETTING’
A true wordsmith, Mr Walsh eloquently describes a photo (pictured left), skilfully captured in 2020 by local photographer Breeda Morgan of the imposing cross.
“Others have photographed it usually from a dorsal view looking out over a splendid sylvan panorama. But Breeda Morgan looked at the cross full-on and directly and up-close to explore the power of its imagery in this commanding hilltop setting of a kind that has always held such a place in the religious imagination, where heaven and earth meet and mingle.
“The picture is a masterful composition of horizontal planes set off against the thrusting vertical of the cross. The deep verdant grass of the summit represents natural growth and freshness, while above the looming structure of the cross with its triple-stepped pedestal bids the eye skyward with shadowed cloud directly overhead even as the azure distance beyond looks bright with hope and promise. The whole scene is infused with a vivid ethereal sense as befits the mood of spirituality.
“The cross itself looks dark, almost brooding, imposing and monumental. The figure of the Crucified Christ is however of an altogether different scale, concentrated and intimate, with a certain lightness and delicacy all of which you so engagingly convey. So that while we see Him in the traditional pose with arms outstretched in the great act of redemptive suffering, here Jesus seems about at any moment to radiate freely away from the cross and meld into the sublimity of the surrounding wide infinite heavens in a foretaste of the Resurrection.”
“In this wonderful picture, the story of this cross of stone and memory is so nobly and inspiringly told by Breeda Morgan of Frank Morgan Studios,” he concluded.
Down through the years, the cross has been lit on many occasions - a true sight to behold. Trojan work, undertaken by the Corrin Cross Committee, ensured its upkeep and fundraised to get lighting and infrastructure in place. Along with the traditional lighting ceremony on New Year’s Eve in years past, the cross would have been lit on several feast days annually, including St Patrick’s Day, Good Friday to Easter, Mercy Sunday (First Sunday after Easter), the Feast day of the Holy Cross in September and the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross.
Congratulations to our winners in our quarterly 100 Club draw. Winner €200 Áine O’Connor, Dave Dwane Senior €80 and Sheila O’Connor €80.
UPDATE FROM CROKE PARK ON GAA IN 2021
As you will be aware by now, the Irish Government published their Covid-19: Resilience and Recovery 2021 plan. There is no immediate change for sport outlined in the plan and as per our last communication to you, it is clear that no on-field activity will be permitted - even at inter county level – until Easter at the earliest.
We will be seeking clarity on certain aspects of the provisions on sport in the new Government document and while the document does envisage the return of inter-county games at level 4 and of some club games in level 3, it remains impossible to plan a revised Master Fixtures calendar for 2021 as there is no indication at this point of when these levels may kick in. The exercise is further complicated by the need to align our plans with whatever is permitted by the NI Executive for counties and clubs in that jurisdiction.
In the interim and despite any speculation you may read or hear to the contrary, we would again reiterate that the GAA have not decided on what competitions may or may not be facilitated in any revised national fixture programme for 2021. Such decisions will be a factor of how much time is ultimately available to us, both for an inter county season and for the broader participation levels that will be necessary for a meaningful club season at both adult and underage levels.
The next signpost on the road for society is likely to come in the week leading up to Easter. We will again communicate directly with counties and clubs at that point and once Government make clear whether they see any further relaxing of restrictions (for example allowing inter-county training or games) being permitted.
We also want to assure you that we will publish a revised national fixtures calendar at the earliest possible opportunity. We thank you again for your patience and understanding of a very trying situation and we look forward with optimism to the resumption of GAA activities at all levels later in the year.
@kdygaaclub - We would love photos of teams that people might have from over the years and photos of our club. Please forward to any of our club PROs.
DON’T FORGET TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
You can submit your membership to Liam O’Sullivan if you wish to do so. Please ensure to renew your club membership when you get the opportunity. For those that are happier to use the online service the Foireann app is now available. In line with the GAA’s move toward promoting online membership payments, we have set up an online method of making club membership payments for you and your family from 2021.
TO PAY ONLINE FOLLOW THESE STEPS
To access the ‘Foireann’ system - go to returntoplay.gaa.ie. If you were a player in 2020, a coach or a Covid supervisor this is the website you would have used to complete Health Questionnaires so you should log in again using username and password. These can be reset easily if you have forgotten by following the steps on the site. Key to select adult club rather than ladies club if you had access to both last year. If you have never used the site before, click ‘register’ and follow steps to enter personal details and your club details.
Once logged in, follow links to ‘membership’ and choose the membership option for you e.g. individual, student, juvenile, family etc. If you are registering other adults (eg as part of family membership then you will need to set up an account for them by following the steps provided on the site to allow each adult give consent to joining (along with consent to code of conduct, getting club messages, photos etc).
A parent can add U18s to their family membership without issue. This is a new way of doing things but very user friendly once set up and easy to make payment. Any issues, please contact James fox, Pa Walsh, Will Duggan, Ned Dwane or Liam O’Sullivan. Thanks all for support.
GER SPILLANE FUNDRAISER
Thanks to all who took part in the recent sponsored silence on behalf of Ger Spillane. It was a great success.
BINGO
Under the current Covid guidelines our bingo is suspended but we are looking at options in terms of bringing something to the people. We hope to be in a position to advise on that in the next few weeks. Keep an eye out here.
QUIZ NIGHT
A quiz night will be held shortly. We are currently working through the details and will advise of same. The likely charge will be €20 per team. This will be different but bound to be lots of fun.
HURLING WALL
Painting of targets on the hurling wall will take place shortly so it will be a good opportunity for people to practice.
UPDATE ON REBELS’ BOUNTY COUNTY BOARD DRAW
Closing date for entry is 5pm, 25th March. The cost is €100 to join for 12 months or pay €10 per month for 10 months to join 12 draws. We will hope to have a collection night but given current restrictions it is also possible to join online and select Kildorrery as your club.
Please contact any of the club officers if you wish to renew your subscription or if you require any more information. If you were a member previously we would ask that you try and complete your registration online. This is an important source of funding for the club once enough people join up.
CLUB SCOREBOARD SPONSORSHIP
The scoreboard sponsorship is currently up for tender for the next three years. If any of our members are interested in sponsoring the scoreboard please reach out to secretary James Fox or chairman Pa Walsh for further details in relation to costs and duration. Deadlines for expression of interest is March 12th.
LOTTO
The club is currently reviewing the lotto and will be returning shortly with suggestions on how we bring it in to the future. The club is looking for new volunteers to help with the lotto. If you are interested in getting involved please leave one of the officers know. The club is looking for a draw coordinator and if you feel that you would be in a position to work with the club in this important role we would love to see you involved.
SEAT FOR LIFE
Please contact Pat Fenton if you are interested in taking a seat in our stand, if you wish to dedicate it to someone living or deceased.
COVID-19 SUPPORT
Please reach out to any member of the club if you require any assistance. We are always happy to help in a personal or group capacity.
KILDORRERY COMMUNITY OFFICE
From Tuesday, February 16 the new opening times (until further notice) for Kildorrery Community Office are 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday.
VOTES OF SYMPATHY
Votes of sympathy were passed to the O’Neill family, Killavullen; Lyons family and the Hennessy family, Mitchelstown on their recent bereavements.
NEXT MEETING
Next meeting Monday, March 15 online at 8pm. Further details to follow thanks.
Finally this week, stay safe and look after yourselves.