Blackrock Centenary - Book

 

Foundation Stone was laid on 31st August 1919

The Church was consecrated on 31st August 1924

The Centenary was celebrated on 31st August 2024   

                   

                Centenary Book

Book costs €10 Available from:

The Church Sacristies (Blackrock & Haggardstown) or

Flanagan's Shop, Dublin Road or

Roe River Books, Dundalk or

Centra, Blackrock

Contents Page

                                                                                               

A Word from Archbishop Eamon Martin D.D. 

A photograph of the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, p. 1 

A Word of Welcome – Fr. Pádraig, p. 2 

St.Oliver Plunkett Church: A Brief Overview by Noel Sharkey, p. 4  

An Introduction to the Life of St. Oliver Plunkett and his Ministry in Haggardstown, p. 6

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Chapters

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

1. Canon Bernard Donnellan – A Man of Many Parts, p. 7           

2. Finding a Site for a 'New Church' - The Ferguson Family, p. 15

3. “Blessed Oliver”– The Inspiration for a ‘New’ Church, p. 20

4. History of St. Oliver Plunkett Church by the Late Artie Curran, p. 29

5. The Sanctuary "He has entered the sanctuary once and for all", p. 49

6. Stained Glass-Windows Reflected in a Festival of Flowers 2024, p. 62

                                                   

7. A Generous Response in the Name of 'Blessed Oliver', p. 73

8. Haggardstown and Blackrock:

    A Heritage of Faith from Early Christian Times, p. 83

9. Grotto at St. Oliver Plunkett Church, p. 90

10. St. Oliver Plunkett Church - Refurbishments of 2016, p. 100

                                      ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

References, page 109

St. Oliver Plunkett National School: Celebrating 125 Years by Fiona O'Hora, p. 111

Centenary Programme of Events: 29th August to 1st September 2024, p. 113       

St. Oliver Plunkett Church - A Poem by Noel Sharkey, p. 115               

An Admháil ó Thréadach Chomhairle an Pharóiste - Aoife de Burca

An Acknowledgements from Parish Pastoral Council, p. 116

                     

Information on the Centenary Booklet

As part of the centenary celebration of St. Oliver Plunkett Church, Blackrock, members of the Parish Pastoral Council and of the Centenary Committee have compiled and edited a history of the church.  Canon Bernard Donnellan who arrived in the parish in 1918 set about building the church. It was inspired by the approval of the beatification of St. Oliver that year and by the fact that he lived at Ballybarrack. The foundation stone of the church was laid in 1919 and the church was consecrated on 31st August 1924.

The book comprises ten chapters, 128 pages along with more than 200 photographs. The early chapters are about Canon Donnellan and the purchase of the site from the Ferguson sisters of Field House. The history was researched by the late Artie Curran. The symbolism in the sanctuary and on the stained glass windows is detailed. For example the depiction of the last supper on the altar table is based on the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci. Each of the apostles can be identified from the painting.

The flowers and fruits depicted on the stained glass windows in the nave are very much Eucharistic in theme. The beautiful Rose Window in honour of St. Oliver appears to have been personally donated by Canon Donnellan. Some other eighty sponsors are acknowledged around the church and on the seats. Brief details of many of them are provided.     

A chapter is dedicated to St Fursey's Church and the other places of worship in parish going back in time to the monastery established by St. Fursey at Haggardstown. The recently restored grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes features and the final chapter looks at the extensive refurbishment works carried out at St Oliver Church in 2016.

The book starts with a foreword from Archbishop Eamon Martin and with a word of welcome from Fr. Padraig along with a brief historical summary from Noel Sharkey. The book (128 pages A4 size) coats €10. We hope you will enjoy this centenary souvenir booklet about St. Oliver Plunkett Church that was dedicated:

 "To one God in Three, in Memory of Blessed Oliver"  

on 31st August 1924. 

    

                                                     

 

 A Festival of Flowers was held 30th Aug to 1st Sept