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Parish Information

Bishop Brendan Leahy visited kilmallock on the 17th of December 2013. He met the different parish groups in the Pastoral Centre. These are some of the photographs of the groups with the Bishop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ballingaddy Church 175th Anniversary

 

On August 23rd 2013 a special Mass was celebrated in Ballingaddy Church to mark this special occasion. Canon Willie Fitzmaurice was the chief celebrant along with Fr. Joe Cussen. The Choir with Moira Naughton as organist and Maureen Lynch, director was in attendance.

The committee that arranged this celebration consisted of Joe McGrath, Margaret Clery, Ned Murphy and Lil Mulvihill. Prayers were recited afterwards in Ballingaddy Cemetery. The Ladies Committee arranged tea and refreshments afterwards which were generously hosted by the Bowen Family, Ballingaddy.

Ballingaddy was once a large parish of its own including much of Ardpatrick. The original church was where we now have its ruins in the graveyard. This was an old monastic settlement. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1410 under the title ‘Mary Queen of Heaven’.

During the Penal Laws many parishes were amalgamated and Ballingaddy was joined with Kilmallock. Ballingaddy means the ‘town of the robber’. Folklore has it that a man named ‘O’Donovan’ used to rob supplies that were destined for the English Forces in the Garrison town of Kilmallock and that he distributed his booty amongst the poor. He achieved legendary status because of his activities and therefore gives meaning to the name Ballingaddy.

Ballingaddy Church was opened and blessed on August 15th, the feast of the Assumption, 1838. Over many years many improvements were carried out.

 

 

 

 

The land in Ballingaddy was owned by Captain Christopher Sanders, who lived in Sanders Park, Charleville. Captain Sanders donated the site for the new Church.

Building started in 1837 and on the 15th of August, the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, 1838, the newly built church was blessed and consecrated in honour of Our Lady.

Improvements:

Over the years many improvements were carried out

  i.            In 1902 a new altar was erected and a new window behind it.

 ii.            Later on in 1910 a belfry and bell were added and seating was improved

iii.            In the twenties improvements were carried out to the sanctuary

iv.            To mark the centenary in 1938 a beautiful terrazzo floor was laid at the entrance. The terrazzo       commemorates the fact that the church is dedicated to Our Lady – underneath the crown are the words; MARIA. Sub tuo praesidio 1838 – 1938.           On the 15th of August 1938 High Mass was celebrated by Very Reverend Canon Mulcahy P.P.V.F., assisted by Fr. Condon C.C., Fr. Moynihan C.C. Bulgaden. The sermon was preached by Venerable Archdeacon Begley P.P Bruff. The area around Ballingaddy was enfete for the occasion and the roads leading to the church were festooned with streamers in Papal colours.

  v.            In 1910 the Stations of the Cross were installed and each station was donated by parishioners.

 vi.            Marble altar rails in early forties.

vii.            Electricity in 1954.

viii.            Sacristy Roof repaired free of charge by Dowling Brothers Contractors.

  ix.            In 1972 major renovations took place and the porch was added. The beautiful stained glass window    depicting the Assumption of Our Lady was donated by Mrs Peg Watt, Riversfield.

  x.            The Altar was changed to comply with Vatican ll by Canon Minihan.

 xi.            The Baptismal Font was donated by the O’Grady and O’Shea families in 1978.

 xii.            Central Heating was installed in 1979 with the proceeds of a Barn Dance in Dave O’Connor’s farm and the raffle of a calf donated by Seamus Sheedy.

xiii.            Public lighting was procured through the efforts of Lilly Mulvihill and Ned Murphy – the Ballingaddy reps on the Community Council.

xiv.            Limerick County Council prepared the car park on land donated by Mr Crowley.

 xv.            In 1992 the floor was replaced by a group of voluntary workers. The church was painted. New seats were donated by parishioners. New carpet was laid, an organ purchased, a new crib was purchased and the Sacristy roof was replaced. The vast majority of this work was done by voluntary labour and with the proceeds of a fashion show in Bulgaden and with the help of donations from far and wide in the parish and outside.

 xvi.            In 2001 the new door was erected in the Porch. 

 

 

These pictures were taken at the 150th Anniversary celebrations

 

 

 

Ballingaddy Church

This painting of Ballingaddy Church was painted by the late Catherine O'Mahony.

 

 

 

 

 

Church Spire Restoration

Rainey & Co Ltd (Specialist Contractors) have conducted a survey on the condition of the spire of Kilmallock Church. They have carried out some basic repairs. Having gained access to the spire floor platform they found significant accumulated debris. This had to be bagged and lowered for removal. The wooden floor was in poor condition. The unrestricted bird access through the higher openings on the spire has been a major factor in deterioration.

Stainless steel mesh to all spire openings has been installed to prevent on-going problems caused by bird access. The external and internal surveys have been completed. There are no main structural problems but there is need for a conservation improvement programme to ensure that no major problems will occur in the future.

Conservation Programme – Main points

1a. Remove and chisel out existing highly cementitious mortar from all joints throughout the spire and pinnacles.

1b. Wash down and apply approved masonry biocide treatment to spire.

1c. Wash down and apply approved masonry biocide treatment to tower.

1d. Neatly backfill and repoint all opened jointing throughout spire with proven hydraulic lime mortar mix in dressed finish.

1e.Apply second masonry biocide treatment to spire and all Nos. 4 sides of tower.

1f. Repair superficial fissures on stone facings with epoxy resin crack injection to deter any worsening of the situation through freeze and thaw action etc.

2. Supply hoist into position and install new galvanised finials (ornamental metal crosses ) like fittings on spire.

 

A new lightening conductor has been installed. These conductors are both necessary and mandatory on all high buildings.

These improvement proposals will significantly maintain and enhance the condition of the stonework on the spire and ensure that there will be no need for any major reconstruction works in the foreseeable future.

The repairs will cost €55,000 approx. Again we are deeply indebted for the generosity of parishioners who through their contributions and weekly offerings have made it possible to maintain and preserve a beautiful Church to the highest possible standards.

Photographs of the survey that has been carried out show the condition of the various aspects of the spire. 

 

Main Cross & Finial Stone

fig. 1 & 2. 

The cross is made of wrought iron and at one stage was painted silver. There are minor signs of corrosion and rust is starting to show through the pain. 

There are no visible fractures or striations in the finial stone and it is deemed to be in good condition

 

The Spire and Pinnacles

Fig.3 & 4.

The pointing on the spire is approximately 60 - 70% defective and the condition of the joints will only worsen with the freeze and thaw process. Vegetation growth is clearly visible which indicates water ingress.

 

 

 

Fig. 5 & 6.

The finials of all four pinnacles are in sound condition, however, there is a fracture in the secondary stone on the North West facing pinnacle. This will only worsen as a result of the freeze and thaw process.

 

 

Decorative Iron Work

Fig. 7 & 8.

The decorative iron work at spire window level showed major signs of corrosion.

 

 

Fig 9 & 10. 

Fig 9 shows a dangerous piece of iron that had to be removed as a health and safety measure.

Fig 10.

The housing stone of the decorative iron work is in sound condition, however signs the rust is beginning to reach the dowel, causing damage to the stone by rust expansion is evident.

 

The Tower:

The stonework on the tower is in good condition and there are signs of re-pointing in a cementitious mortar over the last 40 years.