Link to Video recording attached
youtu.be/PI4LQGdEmZc
I was delighted to meet with Noel and Kay Clarke in their home on Monday the 25th July 2016. Noel had contacted the Library previously as he had a memory he wanted to share with us we arranged to meet up on Saturday the 6th August and record Noel and thanks to Sean Brennan who organised to Video our meeting.
Noel was asked to organise by Father Paul Boland in 1953 along with other people who he named below a youth club which was Our lady of Victories (O.L.V.) and the team of helpers organise Soccer matches for the many young people in Ballyfermot. They organised 3 Teams and played on the Football Pitches where the Dominican Convent School is today. The Catholic Youth Council then came board.
the names Noel mentioned who worked in the parish with him
Father Paul Boland Chairman
Jim Palmer, Steven Kennedy Ballyfermot Road, Joe Jago, Mick Rafferty, Eddie Phipps, Sean Ryan, Gerry Farnan who later went on to Coach Eamonn Coghlan, Noel Clarke, Mr Donnelly, Billy Keane, Willie ?, Frank ?, Nickey Noonen, Tony Duff, George Byrne, Alfie Byrne, Paddy Morris, Jimmy Moynes, Eddie O Brien.
.
Noel was also the first Sacristan in Our lady of the Assumption Church form 1953 – 1955
And was there for the first mass in 15th march 1953
His duties included opening up the Church at 6.30 am every morning for mass at 7am, and then being there for 10am mass also Baptisms, which saw 24 children being baptised each week in 1953. At 12am and 6pm Noel had to put on a 78rpm record to ring out the Angelus around the parish, and also organising the Sodalities, and Confraternities. Communion and Confirmation his salary was £4 Pounds per week and after 6 Months it was £6 Pounds a week.
When Noel left Dick and Eamon Cusack took over as Sacristan’s to be then followed by Jack Roche,
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Sean Brennans Ballyfermot Heritage Group Video www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si1uCAH18RE&feature=share
Church Pulpit and Seats came after the church opned on the 15th March 1953
Robinson, Keefe and Devine designed Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Built by John Hughes & Son. Work started in May 1951. The church cost £68,000 to build. The Mahogany seats cost £10,000. Seating Capacity in 1952 was for 1,980 people.
The first Mass said in Our Lady of the Assumption Church on 15 March 1953.
Our Lady of the Assumption Church
Eamonn Mac Thomais the Dublin historian and author who died in 2002 wrote in the Irish Press on 2 June 1986 about his input in helping Ballyfermot get its new church. His parish church was St Michaels in Inchicore and one Sunday at mass Father Donal O Scannaill who was one of the curate’s in St Michaels and was also assigned to help start up the new parish of Ballyfermot appealed over the alter for door to door collectors to help build a church in Ballyfermot. Eamonn gave in his name as one of the volunteers. He received his collector’s book and he was off the next Sunday to collect on what were known as the newly wed houses on Muskerry Road.
Notes taken from the Book Ballyfermot Building a Community 1948 - 2006
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Thanks to Joe Coleman for this photo
15 March 1953 - 15 March 2023
Link to the Service of Reflections and Thanksgiving www.youtube.com/watch?v=8in9mnEIm34
On Wednesday the 15 March 2023 we had a Service of Reflection and Thanksgiving in our Lady of the Assumption Church Ballyfermot celebrating its 70 year anniversary. There were 5 Speakers along to share with us their memories of the early years of the church.
The Ballyfermot Heritage Group would like to thank all that attended and all that looked in from around the world. Fr Adrien Egan, Fr Seamus Devitt, Margaret Kileen, and Ann Marie Murray who hosted the Service.
The Church Committee who served Tea and Coffee and refreshments, and Bernie Kennelly (Casey) for making the beautiful anniversary cake
Roseanna and Our Lady of the Assumption Choir. Val and the Ballyfermot Folk Group.
Sean Brennan from the Ballyfermot Heritage Group who compiled the Video of photos shown on the night. and all the heritage group for their involvement.
Our five Speakers that travelled far and near and to be there to share their memories
1 - Noel Clark who was the First Sacristan in 1953.
Mentioned also was - Richard Dick Cusack who was one of the Alter Boy’s on the Day of the Mass later to become Sacristan when Noel stepped down. Richard was back for the 65th Anniversary 2018 and passed away in 2022
Jack Roche who was the longest serving Sacristan 1959 -1993 34 Years
2- Deirdre Quigley Farrell who was at the first Mass with her mother
3 Sean Sherwin who lived next to the Church on Colepark Drive and his memories of early Ballyfermot
4- Margaret Canning One of the longest person in Our Lady of the Assumption Choir
5- Mary Keogh Fagan her, and her family’s involvement within the church
Also mentioned was Nicky Brennan 60 Years Volunteer in Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Nicky died on the 19th December 2015
There were 5 Candles lit during the Service and prayers said by Fr Adrien.
1st Candle- for all the pioneering people that came to live in Ballyfermot new housing estate in 1948
2 Candle – For all that was baptised, and made their First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Married, Ordained to the Priesthood, and received the sacrament of the sick.
3 Candle – In memory of the people that suffered through abuse within the Church
4 Candle – People that bought a brick and helped whatever way to build the church and our beloved people that has died over many years.
5 Candle – A Candle of hope and looking forward to the years ahead. People will always feel they are welcome within the church
On Wednesday the 15 March 2023 we had a Service of Reflection and Thanksgiving in our Lady of the Assumption Church Ballyfermot celebrating its 70 year anniversary. There were 5 Speakers along to share with us their memories of the early years of the church.
The Ballyfermot Heritage Group would like to thank all that attended and all that looked in from around the world. Fr Adrien Egan, Fr Seamus Devitt, Margaret Kileen, and Ann Marie Murray who hosted the Service.
The Church Committee who served Tea and Coffee and refreshments, and Bernie Kennelly (Casey) for making the beautiful anniversary cake
Roseanna and Our Lady of the Assumption Choir. Val and the Ballyfermot Folk Group.
Sean Brennan from the Ballyfermot Heritage Group who compiled the Video of photos shown on the night. and all the heritage group for their involvement.
Our five Speakers that travelled far and near and to be there to share their memories
1 - Noel Clark who was the First Sacristan in 1953.
Mentioned also was - Richard Dick Cusack who was one of the Alter Boy’s on the Day of the Mass later to become Sacristan when Noel stepped down. Richard was back for the 65th Anniversary 2018 and passed away in 2022
Jack Roche who was the longest serving Sacristan 1959 -1993 34 Years
2- Deirdre Quigley Farrell who was at the first Mass with her mother
3 Sean Sherwin who lived next to the Church on Colepark Drive and his memories of early Ballyfermot
4- Margaret Canning One of the longest person in Our Lady of the Assumption Choir
5- Mary Keogh Fagan her, and her family’s involvement within the church
Also mentioned was Nicky Brennan 60 Years Volunteer in Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Nicky died on the 19th December 2015
There were 5 Candles lit during the Service and prayers said by Fr Adrien.
1st Candle- for all the pioneering people that came to live in Ballyfermot new housing estate in 1948
2 Candle – For all that was baptised, and made their First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Married, Ordained to the Priesthood, and received the sacrament of the sick.
3 Candle – In memory of the people that suffered through abuse within the Church
4 Candle – People that bought a brick and helped whatever way to build the church and our beloved people that has died over many years.
5 Candle – A Candle of hope and looking forward to the years ahead. People will always feel they are welcome within the church
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Clarke Family Lally Road Monica' Communion, Phyllis, Noel, Tom, Leo,
Noel Memories of early Ballyfermot. Thanks to Sean Brennan for the Video
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI4LQGdEmZc
© All Rights Reserved
© All Rights Reserved