The wonderfully imposing structure of St Colmcille’s Church is a focal point in Ballinahown Village with a wonderful histroy attached. The foundation stone of this Early English Gothic- style building was laid on 02 October, 1896, and it was dedicated and opened for worship on 15 October, 1902. The Parish Priest, Canon Matthew Columb, had engaged the architect William Hague to design it, and, after Hague’s death in 1899, the work was completed by Thomas McNamara. The parishioners contributed generously to the cost of the church, as did the diocesan clergy and a number of other individuals, chief among whom was Charles O’Donoghue of Ballinahown Court. Many of the furnishings of the church were donated: the fine stained glass windows in the north and south gables, in the transepts and elsewhere, the three marble altars, the sanctuary lamp, the oak pulpit, the stations of the cross. The interior decoration was typical of this style of church, consisting of painted geometric patterns, medallions enclosing sacred monograms, patterns of stars over the sanctuary and pictures of Sts. Patrick and Brigid. All of that decoration was obliterated and many of the internal furnishings were removed or repositioned during redecoration in 1955 and reconstruction of the sanctuary in response to the liturgical renewal inspired by Vatican Council II) in 1978. A further major renovation of the sanctuary was carried out in 2004. The church is of central importance to the village community with mass being celebrated every Sunday by Fr. Brendan O Sullivan at 11.30 am.
Mass Times:
- Wednesday & Thursday 10:30am
- Sunday 11:30am
