While ‘Cemetery Sunday’ is a well attended annual event in the Parish calendar in Mullaghbawn, May 3 was no ordinary day…
The Mass went ahead – as planned – with a slight dilemma and a missing secretary! Nonetheless – it was a memorable Mass and one that will no doubt go down in the rural south Armagh community’s history books.
Speaking to Armagh I, one parishioner explained: “Cemetery Sundays always kick off early in Mullaghbawn, the first to do so in the Archdiocese.
“It’s a very popular and well attended annual event with some people booking flights and short breaks to Ireland and others travelling from different counties and provinces. This year however, the parish had a dilemma – Blessing of the Graves or the Armagh match in Clones!
The Mullaghbawn GAA Cúchulianns have a very strong club of over 800 members and Cemetery Sunday is a big event in the local calendar. So the conflicting schedule left many wondering… what to do?
However, the Parish Priest, Very Rev Emlyn McGinn PP VF came up with a solution. Fr Emlyn amalgamated the usual 10.30am Sunday Mass at St Mary’s Church with the Blessing of the Graves in the adjoining graveyard to accommodate those eager to get away in time for throw-in.
The change was “hastily arranged” mid-week to facilitate parishioners to attend Mass and to travel to Clones for the semi final of the Ulster Championship. Fr Emlyn, Parish Secretary Mrs Tina Crawley and Sacristan Mrs Mary Larkin set about rearranging events and had the changes swiftly online.
The Mullaghbawn Tidy Village Committee also set about getting the village ready for the incoming visitors.
Mass was concelebrated by Fr Emlyn and Fr Piotr Delmont at the Mass Rock which is situated at the Grotto in the graveyard. There were eleven Eucharistic Ministers and four Alter Servers in attendance. Music was provided by Church Organist Patrick Campbell on keyboard, with Dearbhala Bennett playing the harp, Doireann Mhic Dhiarmada on tin whistle and her daughter Macha níc Dhiarmada on violin.
Little nine-year-old Macha played “exceptionally well” with her renditions of Magh Seolta and Inis Oírr. Hymns and responses were sang by Larry Crilly and Dearbhla Bennett.
As always, the names of the previous year’s deceased were read out.
Said the parishioner: “Each and every one is a poignant reminder of those who have recently departed and a recognition of all those who are still grieving their loss. It is also a reminder to everyone of the faithful departed who have gone before us – may they rest in peace.”
Two recent burials in Mullaghbawn were mentioned – Dr Anthony Smyth KStG and Dr Rory O’Hanlon.
Dr Smyth, a native of Belfast, came to Mullaghbawn in 1949 as the new GP and settle in Shanroe Mullaghbawn with his new wife Phyllis. During his time, Dr Anthony was “instrumental” in developing paediatric services at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry and he served as GP in Mullaghbawn and Paediatrician in the Southern Trust.
Dr Smyth also devoted a lot of his time to Dioceasan work, administering to the sick and disabled in Lourdes and serving three Cardinal Archbishops.
In December 1993 Pope John Paul II recognised Dr Smyth’s long service and devotion and made him a Papal Knight of the Order of St Gregory.
Dr Rory O’Hanlon was a “Mullaghbawn native through and through”. He attended Meighfoner Boy’s National School, Mullaghbawn and went on to study in Dundalk and Dublin, qualifying as a medical doctor.
Dr Rory became the GP in Carrickmacross where he married and had his family. Elected in 1977 to Dáil Éireann, he swiftly rose through the ranks of government holding various ministerial positions. Dr Rory was elected Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil and served from June 2002 until June 2007. He is survived by his wife Teresa, their children and grandchildren.
At the end of the ceremony, Fr Emlyn thanked everyone for their attendance and co- operation. He thanked everyone who had also contributed to the newly launched Parish Development Fund as two of the churches are in need of urgent repair and refurbishment. He also thanked all those involved in the ceremony but there was one person missing – the Parish Secretary, Mrs Tina Crawley!
Tina was miles away competing in the Belfast Marathon, her 39th marathon to date!
She ran a “great marathon”, one of many she runs around Ireland, Britain and on the continent. Well done Tina!
