Pilgrimages to Lourdes
Pilgrimages to Lourdes from the parish of Askeaton and Ballysteen took place every year from 1999 to 2009 in the month of June. We skipped 2010 but held the pilgrimage again in 2011. That was the last year of the parish pilgrimage, as it had been, though we held one more pilgrimage with the Junior Pastoral Council group in 2015 (these photos can be seen on their dedicated site). The parish pilgrimage coincided roughly with the Limerick Diocesan pilgrimage. The initial intent was to provide the opportunity for our young people to experience Lourdes. Originally, the young people were from fifth year in post-primary school, mostly from Coláiste Mhuire. When the Transition Year became popular the young people were often drawn from that year as well. Of course, the pilgrimage was also open to adults from the parish. At first the pilgrimage involved four days in Lourdes, then a long drive to Nevers, where St. Bernadette died, where we spent a night in the convent, and then a further drive to Paris where we visited the Rue du Bac, 'home' of the Miraculous Medal, as well as taking in the sights of the city. From 2003 the drive to Nevers was broken by an overnight stop in Rocamadour, a mediaeval pilgrimage site. The group leaders throughout, with some small variations, were: Mary Noonan, Ger Buckley, Mona Buckley (some years), Fr. Seán Ó Longaigh -Ger and Mona were unable to go on the 2000 pilgrimage; Fr. Seán was unable to go on the 2002 pilgrimage as he was on sabbatical; Mary was unable to continue after Lourdes in 2008 and 2009. In our final year, 2011, we confined the pilgrimage to Lourdes.
We usually flew from Shannon airport to Lourdes airport, but we also had problems on occasion of securing a place on that flight and so we had to go out from Dublin, or take a flight via London, or land at Tarbes airport or Biarritz airport -but we always got there!
As I didn't have a digital camera before 2007, the photographs up to 2006 are 'photos of the initial photos', if you know what I mean.
The photograph below is a general view of Holy Rosary Square with the Holy Rosary Basilica at one end and the statue of the Crowned Virgin at the other end.
The group photograph for each of the 12 pilgrimages is given below, in the correct order: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011. The first two photographs were taken by ourselves, but from then on they are the 'official' group photograph (the year can be detected on some of them). However, again, they are all photographs of photographs, and may not always be as clear as we would like them to be. The names of the pilgrims are given later under the photos for each individual year.
1999 pilgrimage.
Pilgrims. Young people: Marguerite O Donoghue, Anne-Marie O Brien, Dónal O Sullivan, Brian Noonan, Catríona Buckley, Michael McCarthy. Adults: Teresa Wallace, Pauline Morey, Margaret McCarthy, Patricia McDonagh, Alice O Shea, Mary Keane, John McCarthy, Basil Fitzgibbon, Brendan Nestor, Ann Nestor, Ann Gallagher, Kathleen McAuliffe, John McAuliffe, Kathleen Gaynor, Peggy O Donnell, Mary O Connor, Dan Culhane, Ger Buckley, Mona Buckley, Mary Noonan, Fr. Seán Ó Longaigh.
We left Askeaton at 6.30am on Monday, 21st June, and flew from Shannon to Lourdes, where we stayed in the Hotel Vatican. On Friday we made the long journey by coach from Lourdes to Nevers, 7am to 7pm. and stayed in the Convent de St. Gildard, the convent where St. Bernadette entered. The next day we drove to Paris and checked in to Hotel Akena. Sunday evening we travelled by coach to Le Havre, for an over-night crossing of the English Channel, followed by a drive through England and Wales, ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare, and back to Askeaton on Monday, 28th June. All very exhausting but it was well worthwhile.
The photographs (of photographs) here are of: Lourdes (the bergerie at Bartrès, the lobby in the hotel), the body and the room of St. Bernadette in Nevers, Paris (boat trip on the Seine, including views of Notre Dame cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and the coutdown to the millennium, Versailles, a street in Paris, Mass at the Rue du Bac), and the ferry between Fishguard and Rosslare.
2000 Pilgrimage
Pilgrims. Young People: Kieran Ambrose, Íde Cremin, P.J. Lehane, Aoife McMahon, Shane Neville Pádraig Sheahan (and Lisa Fitzgerald). Adults: Bridie Burke, Paddy Culhane, James Fitzgerald, Antoinette Fitzgerald, Ann Gorey, Pat Holland, Kathleen Lane, Anne Moroney, Aoife McMahon, Lizzie Somers, Mary Somers, Maura Solley, Dan Culhane, Mary O Donnell, Peg Nunan, Delia Hayes, Gertie McDonnell, Anne Kelly, Willie Kelly, John Lynch, Mary Noonan, Fr. Seán Ó Longaigh.
We flew from Shannon to Tarbes airport on Wednesday, 21st June, and from there on to Lourdes where we checked in to the Hotel Astoria (really the twin of Hotel Vatican). We travelled overland to Nevers on Sunday and stayed in the convent. On Monday we continued on to Paris and stayed at Hotel Campanile. We began the homeward journey on Tuesday evening, spending the night on the ferry to Portsmouth. Then it's a drive to Fishguard, ferry to Rosslare, and arrived back in Askeaton on Wednesday, 28th June.
The photographs below are photos of photos: Lourdes (after the torch-light procession, in the hotel lobby), car on the road north, Nevers, Rue du Bac (Mass and blessing of religous objects at Our Lady's Chair), Paris, on the ferry home.
2001 Pilgrimage
Pilgrims. Youth Group: Sarah Ambrose, Sarah Buckley, Katie Cremin, Maura Griffin, Eva Kiff, Hazelle Lawlor, Sinéad O Shaughnessy, Anthony Sheehan (and Robert Sheahan). Adults: Bridget Costello, Bríd Guerin, Michael Guerin, Mary Keane, Ann Lenihan, Peg Nunan, Rosann O Donoghue, Carmel Plant, Caroline Sheahan, Kevin Sheahan, Mick Sheehy Mary Sweeney, Mona Buckley, Ger Buckley, Mary Barrett, Fr. Seán Ó Longaigh.
We flew from Shannon airport to Lourdes on 21st June. This year we stayed at the Hotel Paradis, a little farther from the Grotto but also a little more comfortable. At the end of our days in Lourdes we continued on by coach, as usual, to Nevers, where we spent the night in the convent. From there it was on to Paris with a tour of the city and a boat trip on the Seine. The next day we visited the Rue du Bac and a special treat this year was a visit to the Irish Embassy in Paris, where we were hosted by the Irish Ambassador, Pat O Connor (from Dromcollogher) and his wife, Patricia. Another difference this year is that we flew home from Orly airport.
The photos are of: Lourdes (the church and bergerie at Bartrès), Nevers (statue) and Paris (Eiffel tower and visit to the Irish Embassy.
2002 Pilgrimage.
Pilgrims. Youth group: Laurie Meade, Lorraine Lehane, Vicky McDonagh, Cathy O Brien, Olivia Sheahan, Kevin Sheahan, Brian O Sullivan. Adults: Maggie Foley, Kathleen Foley, Ann Walsh, Teresa Braddish, Carmel Mulcair, Kathleen Mulcair, Maura Crank, Peg Nunan, Minnie Finucane, Nancy Mann, Ber McCoy, Mary Conway, Pakie O Donoghue, Maureen Carney, Tim McDonnell, Josephine McDonnell, Mary Keane, Elizabeth Blackwell, Carmel Plant, Ger Buckley, Mary Noonan.
As usual, the pilgrimage began in Lourdes and then it included the coach trip north to Nevers and Paris. Unfortunately, I have no photographs of this pilgrimage, other than the group photo earlier on.
2003 Pilgrimage
Pilgrims. Youth group: Liam Griffin, Joseph Buckley, Liam Cremin, Pádraig Crowley, Jamie McCormack, Grace Sheahan, Karen Cregan, Áine McGovern, Aoife Kennedy, Deirdre Walsh. Adults: Denis Madigan, Patricia Madigan, Angela Clancy, Maggie Foley, Maureen Foley, Kathleen Foley, Bridget Chawke, Eileen Shields, Catherine O Connell, Evelyn Connellan, Margaret McGovern, Elizabeth Blackwell, Eileen Kelly, Nancy Mann, Peg Nunan, Nellie Crowe, Nancy Harte, Ita McCarthy, Ger Buckley, Mary Noonan, Fr. Seán Ó Longaigh.
For the first time we had an over-night stop-over this year at Rocamadour, a Mediaeval pilgrimage site, which lies between Lourdes and Nevers. Apart from that we flew out as usual on 21st June. We had the coach trip from Lourdes to Rocamadour, to Nevers, to Paris, and flew home from Orly airport. The photographs feature: Lourdes (the group, the climb and prayer at the bergerie at Bartrès), Rocamadour (general view, le petit train, the Black Madonna and the castle), a stop for shopping, Paris (Seine trip and at the hotel).
2004 Pilgrimage
Pilgrims. Youth group: Ruairí Maher, John McCarthy, Kevin O Keeffe, Lynn Liston, Katie O Mahony, Deirdre Grealish, Lorraine Costello, Joseph Buckley, Pat Culhane, Maria Diffley, David Kiff, Brigid Dundon, Connie Sheehy, Donna Blackwell, Mark O Shaughnessy, James Maun. Adults: Peg Nunan, Fridoline Whelan, Chris Cregan, Aideen Goggin, Edna Hurley, Maggie Foley, Kathleen Foley, Ruth Blackwell, Margaret Loughane, Mary Roche, Donna Lipper, Mary Gleeson, Bridget Horgan, Seán Diffley, Johnny Ryan, Carmel Plant, Mary Noonan, Ger Buckley, Mona Buckley, Fr. Seán Ó Longaigh.
This and 2008 were the largest youth group we had, at 16 in all. We now took our familiar course, flying to Lourdes on 21st June and later taking the coach to Rocamadour, Nevers and Paris, and departing from Orly airport. The photographs feature: Lourdes (the priests of Limerick Diocese with Bishop Dónal Murray), Rocamadour (view, some groups, the 'nightcap', the 'blessing', the departure), Nevers (at Our Lady's statue), Paris (on the Seine and at the Eiffel Tower)
2005 Pilgrimage
Pilgrims. Youth group: Marian Woulfe, Stephanie Mullane, Lynn Liston, Ian O Donoghue, Robert Diffley, Dónal O Neill (and Sarah O Sullivan). Adults: Willie Ambrose, Ellen Ambrose, Moyra Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Blackwell, Bernadette Hayes, Fridoline Whelan, Dilly Walsh, Bríd O Sullivan, Mary Liston, Claire Liston, Nellie Ryan, Phil Conran, Bridget Costello, Linda Costello, Marian Costello, Mary Sweeney, Kathleen Kiely, Margaret Hurley, Ann Lenihan, Margaret Carey, Cathal O Malley, Joan O Malley, John O Byrne, Nancy Mann. Ger Buckley, Mary Noonan Noonan, Fr. Seán Ó Longaigh.
We checked in to the Hotel Paradis in Lourdes on 21st June. After Lourdes we took the coach trip north to Rocamadour, Nevers and Paris. The photographs below are of: Lourdes (grotto area, grounds, town around the area of the hotel, Cité Secours with Bishop Dónal Murray, Bergerie at Bartrès), Rocamadour (street scenes), Nevers (statue, chapel where St. Bernadette had been buried).
2006 Pilgrimage
Pilgrims. Youth group: Lorraine O Connor, Ashlee Woods, Nicola Dore, Maria Buckley, Louise Mulcahy, Laura Sheehy, Stephanie Healy, John Cremin, Niall Dundon, Daniel Cassidy, Ian O Donoghue. Adults: Paddy Culhane, Michael Ryan, Eamonn Madigan, Margaret Comerford, Bridie Neville, Bernie Hanlon, Áine Curtin, Tim Curtin, Bridget Noonan, Patricia Dundon, Ger Buckley, Mary Noonan, Fr. Seán Ó Longaigh.
The pilgrimage took place on the usual dates from 21st to 28th June and followed the customary route north after Lourdes to Rocamadour, Nevers and Paris. I seem to have taken fewer photographs than usual (partly with the intention, I presume, of avoiding too much repitition from year to year). The photos include: Lourdes (setting off for the grotto, socialising at Hotel Paradis), Nevers.
2007 Pilgrimage.
Pilgrims. Youth group: Eilís Kennedy, Laura Sheehy, Angela Sheehan, Bernadette Liston, Danielle Dineen, Aisling Barrett, Sarah Hogan, Amanda Fitzgerald, John Cremin, Robert Sheahan, Rory Kiff, Marguerite Moloney (and Alana Moloney). Adults: Nancy Mann, Elizabeth Stack, Fridoline Whelan, Elizabeth Blackwell, Breda Kelly, Fiona O Shaughnessy, Ann Downes, Kit Conroy, Helen Culloty, Josephine Moloney, Michael Ryan, John O Byrne, Gerry Moloney, Ger Buckley, Mary Noonan, Fr. Seán Ó Longaigh.
This year we were asked to undertake the pilgrimage in reverse order, flying to Orly airport and beginning in Paris. However, for the sake of uniformity, I give the photographs in the usual order, beginning with Lourdes.
This is the first year that I had a digital camera! The photographs include: Lourdes (Holy Rosary Basilica and Rosary Square, the Grotto area, concert at one of the hotels, Limerick Diocesan concluding Mass, relaxing at Bartrès), Nevers (at the statue)
2008 Pilgrimage.
Pilgrims. Youth group: David Hayes, Gearóid McCarthy, Willie Griffin, Stephen Hodnett, Mark Behan, Séamus Lehane, Ciarán O Donnell, Shane Whelan, Richard Shorten, Emily Maher, Aoife Noonan, Amanda Fitzgerald, Rachel Rigney, Michelle Hough, Ann Liston, Emma Cuddihy. Adults: Seán Neville, Peggy Neville, Mary Holland, Fridoline Whelan, Michael Sheahan, Mary Franklin, Noel Franklin, Dympna Mangan, John O Byrne, Áine Curtin, Tim Curtin, Gerry Moloney, Ann Burns, Janette Madigan, Carmel Plant, Lynn Liston, Noelle Liston, Kieran Ambrose, Elizabeth Blackwell, Peg Nunan, Anne O Donovan, Maggie Foley, Kathleen Foley, Mary Liston, Claire Liston, Ger Buckley, Mary Noonan, Fr. Seán Ó Longaigh.
The photographs are of: Lourdes (group photo, the torchlight procession, our youth group with the invalids, some group photos), Rocamadour, Nevers.
2009 Pilgrimage.
Pilgrims. Youth group: Helen Ambrose, Amy Madigan Cooke, Rebecca Collum. James O Meara, Michelle Hogan, Meadbh O Connell, Alana Downes, Jack O Donoghue, Ross O Donoghue, James Connolly, Denise Lyons. Adults: Nancy Mann, Maggie Foley, Kathleen Foley, Carmel Plant, Helen Kelly, Fridoline Whelan, Elizabeth Blackwell, Stasia Enright, Liz Bermingham, Ger Buckley, Mary Noonan, Fr. Seán Ó Longaigh.
We followed the usual route: Lourdes, Rocamadour, Nevers, Paris. This year the whole group went to the top of nearby Pic du Jer (by means of the finiculaire) for some spectacular views of Lourdes and the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Photographs from the 2009 pilgrimage were taken in: Lourdes (street scene, the Baths, Pic du Jer, Cité Secours), Rocamadour (statue in the church, on the street), Nevers (at the statue) and Paris (the Eiffel Tower area).
2011 Pilgrimage.
Pilgrims. Youth group: Darragh Greaney, Gearóid Buckley, Owen Ranahan, Danny Neville, Niall Smith, Niamh Finn, Shauna Buckley, Aoife Ferris, Janice Neville, Sarah O Meara, Mary Culhane. Adults: Elizabeth Blackwell, Ger Buckley, Mary Noonan, Fr. Seán Ó Longaigh.
Apart from the special Junior Pastoral Council pilgrimage in 2015, this was our final year of the pilgrimage. We remained in Lourdes throughout. The increasing age of the organising team became a large factor in this decision. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if some young adults from the parish were to take up the running this pilgrimage again!
