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The Church of
the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In 1420 Hugh O’ Molloy
(son of Chief Niall O’ Molloy) of Broughal Castle , founded a monastery
for Carmelite Friars.
After the edict of Henry VIII
in 1537, the site and lands of the monastery were confiscated.
On the Ordanance survey map
of 1838, the site of Kilcormac monastery is marked in the garden of the
present Convent of Mercy.
It is said that the only identifiable
stone that now remains of the Carmelite Church is the stone crucifix built
into the boundary wall of the present church.
After the coming of Cromwell
in 1649, until about 1700, the parish had no church. Mass was said in secret,
in places like the old raths or forts along the Munny border, and in the
Mass Pit in Ballincarrig.
In 1704, Fr. Lynam was allowed
to erect a small thatched chapel on the site of the old St. Cormac’s Church.
In 1750, a larger slated church
was built and dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady.
Foundation stone for the new
Church was laid by Dr. Nulty, 18 April, 1866.
Rev. P. D. O’Reilly (a native
of the parish) celebrated the opening mass on 10th Nov, 1867.
Fr. Wheeler (1891-1899) erected
the belfry and bell, and paraquet floor.
Fr. O’Reilly (1901-1929) carried
out further works in 1907, including the building of the apse, the nun’s
choir, marble altar and rail, windows behind the altar, and the sanctuary.
The altar was beautifully decorated with mosaics.
Fr. Kane (1929-1937) erected
the two side marble altars,which were donated by Daniel F. Clavin on 31-1-1931.
These altars were donated in memory of his parents Mrs. Mary Clavin ,
d. 22-1-1905, and James Clavin , d. 8-6-1919, both of Derrydonnelly.
Electricity was brought to
the church in 1938.
After Vatican II , Fr. Shaw
had the Pulpit removed, and the Altar was brought forward so that the priest
wuold be facing the people.
A new ceiling made of Parannah
pine was fitted in 1981, at a cost of £10,753.
The Altar railings were removed
in 1986.
Two new confessional rooms
were built in 1988. The pulpit and altar railing were removed about this
time.
A new church organ was purchased
in 1999 at a cost of £8000.
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