The Kells Union of Parishes

Main Door

The Lectern

PARISH ORGANISATIONS:

The Parish has an active branch of the Girls Friendly Society, but sadly its branches of the Mothers' Union and the Boys' Brigade are no longer active. Home groups for Bible study are held during Lent and at other times as announced.

SCHOOLS:

The Parochial School, commonly called 'The Carrick School', was founded about 160 years ago and is situated on Carrick Street, Kells. It is a three Teacher School with 60 pupils on the Roll, with several ancillary staff. Pupils travel from neighbouring Parishes to attend the School, as only 25 of these are from the Parish. A new school building is now being built near the Rectory on the Navan Road and will be opened in the autumn of 2008. There is also a private Preparatory School, in Headfort House , which several Parishioners attend as day pupils. Others attend Secondary School in the Parish, the Community School, Eureka Girls' School, whilst most travel to Church of Ireland Boarding Schools, such as: Dundalk Grammar School, The King's Hospital, Wilson's Hospital and St Columba's College.

RECENT EVENTS

On Monday 26th May 2008 a Choral Concert was held in St Columba's Church, featuring the Dolgellau & District Male Voice Choir with soloist Sioned Wyn (contralto). Total proceeds topped €1,000, half of which was donated to the Irish Wheelchair Association.

From July 4-6 2008 a Festival of Flowers took place in St Columba's Church Kells, with the theme "Celebrating Our Heritage". The floral displays were universally acclaimed as superb, and were enjoyed by almost one thousand visitors to the Festival. At the closing service on the Sunday the guest preacher was Bishop Walton Empey, who brought the weekend to an exhilarating and fitting climax. Some €6,000 was raised for church funds. Our grateful thanks are due to the co-ordinator, Mrs Florence Higgins, as well as to all our sponsors, arrangers, stewards, caterers and helpers.

The Kells Union of Parishes includes ten historic Church sites, with two Church buildings in use: St. Columba's Church Kells , and St. Patrick's Church Donaghpatrick. . The other Churches: Ardbraccan, Moynalty, Kilshine, Castletown-Kilpatrick, Crossakeel, Kilshine, Balrathboyne , Balrath-Burry, and Newtown have all been de-consecrated and closed over the past sixty years. In this document you will find information about the closed Churches and also information on the present Church of Ireland community in the Parish. For the convenience of researchers, a section will be included on the monuments and archives. We trust that you will have an enjoyable visit, and learn something of the diverse history of the Church of Ireland in this neighbourhood.

POPULATION:

The present Parish consists of 114 households which constitute an Anglican population of 196 persons in Kells, 139 of whom are over 18, and a population of 65 persons in Donaghpatrick, 37 of whom are over 18.

OCCUPATIONS:

Many parishioners are engaged in agriculture with some families farming in the Parish for many generations. Other parishioners are engaged in commercial activities , solicitors, auctioneers, and shop owners. Some are employed by local industries, such as 'Southborough', 'De Royal' 'Wellman International' and 'Tara Mines'. There are a number of retired couples in the Parish.

CHURCH SERVICES:

8.00am: The Eucharist. Kells. (1st. Sunday of month, May to September only)

10.00am: The Eucharist or Morning Prayer. Donaghpatrick. (every Sunday)

11.30am: The Eucharist or Morning Prayer. Kells. (every Sunday)

Saints' Days, Holy Days', Lent and Holy Week Services (as announced)

Other Sacraments (by arrangement with the Rector)

The Book of Common Prayer(2004) is used in the Parish.