On Sunday, September 4th a new altar was consecrated at the holy and ancient site of Kilbannon the place where Tuam Archdiocese had made it’s humble beginnings in the time of St. Benin and St. Jarlath many centuries ago. Legend had it that Jarlath was an outstanding pupil of Benin, that he sent him forth and told him to set up a new diocese wherever his cart wheel broke. It broke in Tuam town and the See of the new diocese came into existence then. The symbol of the Tuam Archdiocese is the broken cart-wheel of St. Jarlath since then.
Mr. Jarlath Kelly in conjunction with the local Community Employment Scheme have recently done a lot of work to enhance the grounds of the ancient Church and cemetery and most especially in the erection of a new stone and marble altar which was consecrated by the Parish Priest Fr. Michael Kenny. A huge crowd braved the elements to attend the blessing and Mass for deceased relatives and friends on the occasion. Fr. Sean Cunningham, Tuam, Fr. Francis McGrath, Williamstown, Prof. Eamonn Conway, University of Limerick and Fr. Fintan Monahan, Tuam Concelebrated the Mass with Fr. Kenny. Kilbannon local choir sang under the direction of Francis Mullen and organist, Stephen Mullen. Jarlath Kelly spoke after the blessing and thanked the hard working group of locals involved in the project.
