Irish emigrant makes major contribution to Roscommon church renovations
Deacon Tom Burke, Peter and Rosemary Kelly, Bishop Kevin Doran, Paul Kelly, Fr. Francis Beirne and Gretta Fallon, pictured at the St. Patrick’s Church, Dysart bicentenary celebrations. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin
Irish emigrant Peter Kelly, who left Dysart for the US more than 60 years ago, retains a deep affection for his homeplace. At the bicentenary celebrations for St. Patrick’s Church in Dysart held recently, Mr Kelly was thanked for his huge financial contribution to the external and internal renovations at the church.
Peter, who was aged 19 when he left Dysart in 1962 for the US, said he wanted to give something back to the place that he still holds very dear. His family has lived in Dysart for six generations.
“I had my First Communion in the church, my First Confession there and I had my Confirmation there. My parents married there as did my grandparents and probably my great grandparents.
"I just wanted to pay some respect to the previous generations and that’s why my wife Rosemary and I decided to finance the complete restoration of the church inside and outside,” said Peter, speaking to the Roscommon Herald.
The year and half long renovation project involved a major revamp of the church and its grounds, including a new floor, the renovation of stained glasswork, some ventilation work and extensive landscaping.
Peter, who works in real estate and the restaurant and bar business, is a regular visitor to Dysart and has made several trips annually over the last 40 years. He is the eldest of four surviving members of a family of eight siblings.
He met his Rosemary (nee Harrington) from Curraghboy at a dance in Ballyforan in 1968 and they married in Boston.
Peter, Rosemary, their two daughters, who live in Boston, and their four grandchildren were in attendance for the special celebrations on Sunday, August 24th marking the bicentenary of St. Patrick’s Church.
The Bishop of Elphin, Kevin Doran presided over a concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving assisted by Fr Francis Beirne, Fr Ray Milton, and Fr Liam Devine. The church in Dysart is part of the united parishes of Ballyforan, Dysart and Tisrara.
The historic event was described as a “momentous occasion” and involved months of preparation to celebrate two centuries of Catholic worship in the rural South Roscommon crossroads village.
In an introduction to the Mass, parish priest Fr Francis Beirne expressed his gratitude for the presence of Bishop Kevin. “We are honoured that Bishop Kevin has joined us to celebrate this Bicentennial Mass of Thanksgiving and his fellow priests and deacons who are joining with him in concelebrating the Mass. We are so grateful to Bishop Kevin for taking time to be with us. Your presence makes this day all the more special,” he said.
Welcoming people from the parish and surrounding areas, Fr Beirne also extended a céad míle fáilte to the many people who had travelled long distances especially visitors from the USA whose ancestors emigrated from the parish in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
The Mass was followed by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the entrance to the church. Afterwards, the people retired to Dysart Community Centre for refreshments and entertainment.
During the celebrations, a 50-page souvenir booklet was launched which traces the history of Christianity in Dysart from Patrician times to the present church. It is an illustrated history with photographs and memories that capture the past, present and future aspirations of this close-knit community.
“The commemorative booklet is not only a tribute to our church building but to the people past and present who have sanctified our church through their deeply lived faith, devout worship and Christian witness.
“Within its pages, we hope you find stories, reflections, photographs, and memories that capture the spirit of Dysart Church - its past, its present, its aspirations and hope for the future,” said Fr Beirne during the launch.
