Taugheen sacristan retires after 15,000 Masses

Delia Walsh retires after 50 years as sacristan in Taugheen


Michael Commins

FOR 50 years, Delia Walsh served as sacristan at St Michael’s Church in Taugheen. And when she retired recently, it was estimated that she attended at least 15,000 Masses and opened and closed the church around 36,000 times or more.
The Carramore woman was honoured at a recent ceremony in Taugheen Church where the tributes were led by Fr James Quinn. Family, friends and neighbours gathered for the special occasion and all present knew that this was truly the end of an era.
During the Mass, Fr James Quinn paid a fine tribute to Delia, recalling the many changes in life in the area over the past five decades. He thanked her for her generous spirit and goodwill which was always to the fore.
Ger McHugh, compere for the evening, had his homework done on Delia and the five decades since she took up the position of sacristan. He told the gathering at the special reception in the Community Centre that Delia (Hynes) and her husband Tom moved to Carramore in April, 1955 when Fr Michael Cribbin was the local curate. He was replaced by Fr James Mulrennan in June, 1955.
Fr Mulrennan carried out extensive renovations to Taugheen Church and a number of fund raising dances were run at the time in a marquee in Walsh’s field across from the church.
“Delia’s duty at the time was to open and close the church which had to be bolted from the inside and exit by the sacristy door. On one occasion she met Larry Morrin’s goat exiting the church. He had strayed over from Derryfad bog!
“Fr Mulrennan died in 1961 and is buried in the church grounds. He was replaced by Fr Tommy Cruise and his term saw the end of the Latin Mass. The dynamic Fr Anthony O’Toole arrived in 1968 and built the church car park and brought a new lease of life to Taugheen old hall.”
Like the song “Wasn’t it great in ‘68”, Ger brought many smiles to the congregation when he told them it was himself and Myles Fahey that drank the bottle of wine in 1968 when they were sent down from Taugheen NS to clean the church!
Now on a roll, Ger took the community through the rest of  “Queen Delia’s” long reign in Taugheen. “Delia was now firmly installed as sacristan and made sure all was in tip top order for the various sacraments, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, for the important religious occasions, for the happy and sad times. She lit the candles, arranged the flowers and ensured that everything ran smoothly.
“Fr JJ Cribbin arrived in 1973 and was the catalyst for the reformation of Carramore GAA Club. Fr JJ, who won a National League medal with Mayo in 1970, was a dynamic full forward. His halftime pep talks were legendary and daily communicants were advised not to come within earshot. Regular supporter Crossboyne PP, Fr John Glynn, was kept at a discreet distance by his driver Stephen Walsh from Derrymore!

“Fr Arthur Devine arrived in 1979 and was an enthusiastic member of Carramore Gun Club. A quick sermon was always guaranteed on All Saints Day, November 1, the start of the pheasant season. The year 1987 saw the arrival of Fr Denis Carney. As chairman of Taugheen Community Council, he took on the task of building Taugheen new hall and this was officially opened in 1993. Fr Paddy Healy spent six months in the parish in 1996 and was replaced by Fr Tom Higgins. Canon James Quinn arrived in 1998 and is the longest serving priest during Delia’s reign. He has kept the church in great repair and added many new features.”
Presentations were made to Delia on behalf of the community by Kathleen Mooney, treasurer of Taugheen Community Council and Canon James Quinn. The help received by Delia from her husband Tom and family was also acknowledged by the speakers.
“I enjoyed doing the job all through the years,” said Delia. “It was part of my life. It was always nice meeting the local people and visitors to the area. It was never a burden or anything like that. The years go by quickly. The people were always so nice to me. I also want to thank everyone associated with the recent big night in Taugheen. I didn’t expect anything like that at all. We are every thankful to all who organised the evening and all who came along to lend their support. It was very good of the community. Sure I was only doing my job over the last 50 years.”