Killoughey martyrs remembered at moving Christmas Day Mass
It was a Christmas Day with a difference and a Christmas Day to remember in the small Offaly townland of Killoughey, as the local community came together to pay a moving tribute to the parishioners who were massacred by Cromwell's forces at a Christmas morning Mass in 1651.
Known locally as the Killoughey Martyrs, the brave congregation and priest who gathered in a church which was located in the grounds of the old Killoughey graveyard on Christmas morning in 1651 all perished when the soldiers of Oliver Cromwell surrounded the tiny church, setting it alight and burning down the building with the congregation, their animals and the priest inside.
History was made on Christmas morning 2024 when, for the first time in 373 years, Mass was celebrated inside the church walls of what was once the small place of worship for the parishioners of Killoughey.
Fr Johnny McEvoy, former Parish Priest of Mucklagh parish, returned from Navan, to be with his former parishioners and celebrate the special Mass of Remembrance for the victims of the Christmas Day massacre of 1651.
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Fr Johnny McEvoy, who travelled from Navan to celebrate the special Christmas Day Mass of Remembrance for the Killoughey Martyrs.Image 2 of 5
The committee who assisted with the organisation of the special Christmas Day Mass of Remembrance (l to r): Auguste Daunoraite, Patrick Kane, Mattie Mooney, Fr Johnny McEvoy, Breda Condron, Roisin Kane, Bronagh Kane, Anthony Kane, Odran Condron and Jack Condron.Image 3 of 5
Caroline Bryant, Jackie Mansfield, Anne Daly and Emer Kane make their way to the special Christmas Day Mass to honour the memory of the Killoughey Martyrs who perished in 1651.Image 4 of 5
Joe Bracken, Hughie Bracken, Breda Condron and Eugene Gorman pictured at the special Christmas Day Mass of Remembrance in Killoughey.Image 5 of 5
Declan Doolan and Tom Lawless share a joke with Fr Johnny McEvoy, as they gathered to commemorate the Killoughey Martyrs of 1651 at a special Christmas Day Mass at the church ruins in the grounds of the old Killoughey cemetery.It was decided this year by Odran and Breda Condron that a special commemorative Mass should be held to remember those who perished in Killoughey. Mild morning weather, a moving and emotional service by Fr Johnny, along with a huge attendance of over 300 people, ranging in age from just five years old to 91, contributed to making the event a truly historic and memorable occasion.
Hugh Gleeson, aged 91, spoke of his delight at being able to attend the remembrance service, while Fr Johnny spoke of the horrors of what happened that morning in 1651, not only in Killoughey but also in other parishes in Ireland under the cruel regime of Cromwell.
Many parishioners who attended the special Christmas Day Mass in the grounds of the old cemetery spoke of how enjoyable and spiritual the whole occasion was, and how moved they were by the beautiful Mass.
Odran Condron said the Mass was "long overdue" and spoke of what a privilege it had been for him to be in a position to be able to organise the event along with great family support from the Condron and Kane families.
He added that his own son, five-year old Jack, had also been willing to help out with the preparations! He expressed the hope that the very special Christmas Day Mass would remain in the memories of those who attended for many years to come.
He also reminded the congregation that unfortunately the world has still not learned its lesson from history, as atrocities such as the Killoughey Martyrs are still happening throughout the world in places like Gaza, Ukraine, Yemen and many other countries where evil prevails.
Breda Condron paid tribute to the people of Killoughey, Kilcormac and those who travelled from Dublin, Limerick, Kildare and all corners of Ireland to attend the Christmas Day Mass and remember the Killoughey Martyrs”. She also gave special thanks to Fr. Johnny who travelled from Navan on the day to celebrate the Mass.
Special prayers of the faithful were read by Alice Carroll, Caroline Condron and Emer Kane. Rena Lyons helped Fr Johnny with the distribution of communion as such a large crowd was not anticipated.
The occasion was summed up perfectly by Fr Johnny after Mass, while people stood around chatting.
“Even on a Christmas morning, no one seems to be in a hurry to depart. A Christmas day with a difference, and a Christmas day to remember,” he said.