On this very day 90 years ago a rare memory by a Ballyshannon woman of an event which will never be repeated in the town.
The Mystery of a black coffin solved
Many years ago a neighbour of mine Brigid Kelly told me that she attended a mass for Fr. Tierney on Wednesday 15th April 1931and that there was a black coffin in the chapel. She had a very keen memory and recalled this solemn event which had a draped coffin in front of the High Altar. This was the first time I had ever heard of a coffin in the chapel with no remains although it may have been familiar to other people. She recalled that there was an air of great sadness in the church and no doubt the coffin in front of the altar added to the touching scene with many in tears. Canon McGrath P.P. Bundoran celebrated the Mass and Monsignor Tierney P.P. Enniskillen presided at the Solemn Office for the Dead with Fr. Timoney from St. Joseph’s as one of the chanters. There were upwards of 40 priests in attendance and some businesses in the town were closed to give employees an opportunity of showing solidarity with this martyred priest. Fr. Tierney is buried in China.
The people of Ballyshannon and many from Bundoran, Belleek and outlying districts packed St. Joseph’s Church for a requiem mass in his memory. Fr. Tierney as some will know served in this chapel from 1911-1917 and was very popular with the parishioners many of whom were at this special ceremony.
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| Fr. Tierney G.A.A Park in Ballyshannon in memory of this martyred priest. |
On the 18th February I posted a blog available in the blog archive at the side of this blog which attracted lots of interest . “From Ballyshannon to China a never forgotten event” told the story of Fr. Tierney who was a priest in the Rock who volunteered to serve in China where he was killed 90 years ago in February 1931. He is buried there but the community in Ballyshannon decided to have a Requiem Mass with a difference in his memory.
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| St. Joseph's Church with the Fr. Tierney Memorial visible inside the railing to the left of front door |
Today he is remembered by the Aodh Ruadh club who named their football pitch after him and he is also remembered by a memorial at the entrance to St. Joseph’s Church which was erected by Fr. Munster who also served in St. Joseph’s church in recent years. For more information read the blog archive to the right of this article for 18th February 2021.
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| Memorial to Fr. Tierney in St. Joseph's Church |
Limited edition quality hardback with dust jacket as above available in A Novel Idea and Local Hands Ballyshannon and Four Masters Bookshop Donegal Town. Also available signed copies, and inscriptions, for postage or collection from anthonyrbegley@hotmail.com |
Topics include: How to go about Tracing your Roots/The first settlers in the area/ Newly researched history of the town of Ballyshannon and the townlands in Kilbarron and Mágh Éne parishes/ Records of the first travellers and tourists to Ballyshannon, Bundoran, Belleek, Rossnowlagh and Ballintra/An aerial guide to place names along the Erne from Ballyshannon to the Bar/Flora and Fauna of the area/ 5 Members of Parliament from Ballyshannon/ A history of buildings and housing estates in the locality/Graveyard Inscriptions from the Abbey graveyard, St. Joseph’s and St. Anne’s /Rolling back the years with many memories of the Great Famine, Independence struggle, hydro-electric scheme, Gaelic games, boxing, handball, Boy Scouts, soccer, mummers, characters, organisations, folklore and lots more.
