Carmelite Friary - Kinsale

The Kinsale section of the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes came into existence like an acorn in 1987 with the departure of Fr. Patsy Keenan and Margaret Callanan to Dublin to join up with the main body of the annual Carmelite Pilgrimage making its way by aircraft to Lourdes. As the years rolled on other pilgrims joined the founding two for the pilgrimage most notably Mary Tisdall and Sr Catherine from the local convent. Mary Tisdall joined Fr. Andrew O'Reilly on the overland pilgrimage and then joining the airborne group again. Marie O'Donovan, Mary O'Sullivan, Marie Brennan and John Kingston who in time married, and many other local people were among the early pioneers to make the pilgrimage. Many anecdotes of happenings on the pilgrimages accumulated through the years. In time many more pilgrims joined up most notably Paul and Nora Eaton with their children Gemma and Mark, Michael Ahern, Liam and Lily Gray, Eilish O'Leary with her children and other young folk including Jane & Julie Gimblett along with Ian & Gillian Eaton, Fr. Stan Hession was Fr.Patsy's companion. Winifred O'Connell took over organising the pilgrimage from Margaret Callanan some time before Fr. Patsy's death while Fr. Stan was given Fr. Patsy's mantle.

Through the years thanks to word of mouth the pilgrimage grew in popularity in the parish and across the district. The numbers seeking places grew each year probably due to the efficient organization and neighbourly spirit cultivated on each year's pilgrimage. Numbers reached their zenith at 220 in 2008 for the 150th Anniversary celebrations of the Apparitions. Down through the years a vibrant youth section was also developed in tandem with a very dedicated corps of nurses and helpers called 'Blueties' who abide faithfully to a strict code of behaviour. Local priests and nuns from the parish have enjoyed quality time away on the pilgrimage.

The tragic death of Winifred O'Connell in 2008 at the entrance to a local building site brought the realization that Winifred as if by premonition had put in place a committee to uphold the Kinsale section as an ongoing integral part of the overall annual Carmelite Pilgrimage to Lourdes. To date the committee consists of Paul Eaton (Chair); Nora Eaton (Sec); Michael Ahern Hon Treas); James Daly (Youth Officer); Gillian Eaton and Jane Parr-Gimblett ( Youth Leaders); Paul Condon (Hotel & Wheelchair co-ord). Fr. Stan Hession, O.Carm (Sp. Leader). The Kinsale pilgrimage owes a debt of gratitude to the late John Cunningham along with the late Michael Brady, Fr. Martin Ryan (Director), and now to Ciaran Gilmartin and the staff of central office for their courtesy, efficiency, understanding, and for accommodating our section and its difficulties.

The acorn has grown in stature and now attracts many pilgrims to encounter through the intercession of Mary our mother the healing of her son Christ in the Word, Sacraments, Sermons Counselling and the simple interpersonal action of pilgrims during the various exercises of the pilgrimage. Each year the names of former deceased pilgrims are carried to the altar in a special Enrolment book for remembrance at the Masses celebrated on the Carmelite Pilgrimages to Lourdes

For further details please email us