Easter Morning 2011. Photo J.O'Loughlin.
Easter Sunday Ceremonies began early here in Thurles this morning, beginning at 6.00am with an open air Mass in the quiet old graveyard of Killinan, [Map Ref.]just outside the town.
Excellent weather conditions and a perfect early morning sunrise greeted the large crowd, comprised of young and old, who left the comfort of their beds early, to experience a truly spiritual early morning worship.
If a picture speaks a thousand words then surely our picture shown here, captured by Thurles photographer John O’Loughlin, more than adequately captures this early morning occasion. (Click on image to enjoy full resolution.)
The Mass was celebrated by Fr.Jimmy Donnelly, assisted by Fr.Gerard Hennessey, Fr.Tom Lanigan Ryan, Fr.Tomas O’Connell and Fr. Martin Hayes.
Wonderful voices from Bohernanave Church Choir provided the vocals for the Easter Service hymn singing, and Easter Sunday scripture readings were delivered by Kay Skehan and Conor Stakelum.
All those in attendance were extremely appreciative of the effort made and this events now looks like being placed permanently on the Thurles annual calender of Easter events.
Those who were in attendance at this mornings ceremony were also worshipping in the midst of sporting greatness, for buried in Killinan cemetery are many past Tipperary hurling legends. Most of these buried here are players and Captains of victorious Tipperary teams of yore. The list of captains buried here are as follows:-
Tom O’Grady, Moycarkey, Captain of the team that went to the USA 1888. Denis ‘Long Dinny’ Maher, Captain in 1887. John J. Callanan, (Thurles Blues), Westgate, Thurles, Captain in 1930. Jim Lanigan, (Thurles Sarsfields) Cuchulainn Road, Thurles, Captain in 1937. John Maher, (Thurles Sarsfields and Son of Denis above named) Captain 1945.
In addition to the above, the following buried here also played with Tipperary:-
Johnny Walsh Sr, Tubberadora, 1895, 1896, 1898, 1899 and 1900. Edward (Ned) Brennan of Tubberadora,1895, 1896, and 1898. Andrew Callanan,Thurles Blues who played in 1916, 1917. Connie Callanan who played in 1887. Ned O’Gorman of Holycross 1949. James O’Loughlin, Thurles Sarsfields, who played in 1930.
To all our readers, ” Have A Happy Easter weekend and mind how you go.”
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