An historic day for Lavey and Irish heritage

As a young boy, John Joe McKenna was told stories of how St Patrick’s Bell and its famous shrine was found in the garden of his family's farm in Mayogall.

The now 97 year-old was determined that before he died the historic find should be marked in some way so that the memory should not die.

On Sunday, December 15, John Joe, alongside his sister Kathleen O'Kane, aged 95, and family members were delighted to witness the unveiling of a plaque and stone to mark the location where the Bell was uncovered.

More than 80 people attended the event, including descendants of Henry Mulholland, who was the Bell's hereditary keeper prior to its discovery at his ancestral home in Mayogall following his death in 1817.

The McKenna family succeeded the Mulhollands as tenants and later owners of the ground where the stone now stands.

In recent years, archaeologist and County Derry man Thomas McErlean was one of a number of people who were involved in helping to keep alive the history of St Patrick's Bell, which is now on permanent display in the National Museum of Ireland.

He attended last Sunday's event alongside fellow archaeologist Cormac Burke and local historian Colm Scullion.

Colm felt strongly that the local community should be aware of their unique association with the Bell and find ways to commemorate it and so last year, a night was organised in Lavey GAA hall, which was addressed by Cormac and Thomas. Colm coupled the night with a tribute to the late great Lavey man Colm McGurk.

The McKenna family then stepped forward to do their part and erect a stone on the family farm, which is now occupied by Jarlath McKenna and his family.

Speaking about the history of the Bell and its shrine, regarded as one of Ireland's greatest relics, he said: “It's regarded as one of the finest pieces of Irish medieval art. It was composed of bronze, silver and gold and then some jewels.

“We have historic accounts of the Bell through the medieval period when it was used for treaties and oaths and for all sorts of things, but it disappeared from history and we don't hear about it after about 1600, it was assumed lost.

“Then in 1817, Henry Mulholland, who was the school teacher on the Shane's Castle Estate, told past pupil Adam McClean that he was the last of his line and if after he died he dug into his garden he would find the thing that was more precious than life. They dug in the garden in Mayogall where the McKennas now live and here in a wooden box they found the beautiful shrine intact with the bell inside it.

“It was forgotten about, except by the McKenna family, but then a colleague of mine, Cormac, who specialises in those bells did the detective work and found out where it was and this got the ball rolling. Colm Scullion, local historian and friend of mine, was the great instigator of pushing the buttons and getting people interested again. Parallel to this, John Joe McKenna always wanted to do something. It was John Joe's great wish to do this before he died.”

The unveiling was performed by John Joe and his sister Kathleen after which it was blessed by Father Graham and Father Madden who together recited St Patrick’s Breastplate, the evocative prayer composed by the saint himself in the 5^th century.

The bell of St Mary’s Church Lavey rang out over the landscape to celebrate the ceremony.

Colm Scullion, Cormac Burke and Thomas McErlean gave speeches highlighting the historic significance of the event for Irish heritage and paid tribute to the McKenna family for funding the project.

It was pointed out that all those who carry the Mullholland name, many of whom were there, should be very proud of their historic guardianship of the bell which spanned at least seven centuries and also the Mellons who for part of the Medieval period shared the honour.

A picture of the Bell now has pride of place on the altar at St Mary's Chapel in Lavey and it has also been suggested that Erin's Own GAC and St Brigid's PS in Mayogall should incorporate the Bell into their badges to show their pride of the local history.

Thomas says people from all over the world have shown great interest in the Bell and its story and the plaque, which is placed in local stone, can now be seen by all.

Thomas added: “There was a lovely folk tradition in Mayogall - at the edge of a townland used to be a little lough where the townland boundary went through. On the northern side was Mayogall and on the southern side was Drumard. It was the folk belief that a monster lived in the lough, the Irish name for them were peists. This monster was very discerning and he would come out at night and bite and attack the Drumard people but he wouldn't attack the Mayogall people because it was said they were under the protection of the bell. We hope now that everyone is under the protection of the bell.”

The project was directed by the patriarch of the McKenna family, John Joe, with his sons Sean, Jarlath and Mickie, daughter Anne and nephew Kevin O’Kane and niece Noleen Henry. Jarlath’s wife Amanda with her family team entertained the large number attending the tea after the unveiling.

Other members of the team included Jim Gaull of Monumental Sculpture who did the inscribing , Colm McNally of Ardmore Stone who prepared the stone and Michael McCrystal. Seamus McPeake and sons provided a free shuttle service from Lavey Chapel carpark to Jarlath’s farm on the Hall Lane were the stone is located.

Liam Mulholland, Patrick Boyle and Brendan Scullion supplied support on behalf of Lavey Parish. The ceremonies were recorded by Helen Mark from the BBC and will be broadcast in Your Place And Mine on January 11.