Headstones: St. Mary's Church, Carrick, Finea, Mullingar Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives Westmeath Index Copyright File contributed by: Judi W. jxnfan@bellatlantic.net Transcribed by: Joyce Tunstead Photos -------------------------------------------- ST. MARYS CHURCH, CARRICK, FINEA, MULLINGAR, WESTMEATH, IRELAND The Bog Wood used in many items at this Church dates back about 5,000 years, and is said to have come from Co. Offaly. Father Frank, the current Parish Priest at St.Mary's, had the stones around the Church carved and placed as seen in the following photos. During summertime, Mass is sometimes served out of doors at the Stone Altar. Photo No.1 View of St.Marys Church Photo No.2 The Belfry at St.Marys. Photo No.3 Inside St.Marys Church - A view of the Altar. Photo No.4 A Stained Glass Window Photo No.5 Another Stained Glass Window Photo No.6 Prayer Candles Photo No.7 Reading Desk made from Bog Wood Photo No.8 The Font on a Bog Wood Stand Photo No.9 A Cross made from Bog Wood Photo No.10 Bog Wood Photo No.11 Seat made from Bog Wood Photo No.12 A Plaque made from Bog Wood, which reads - You | are my | beloved; | My favour rests | on you. Photo No.13 Carrick Rock The Inscription reads - This limestone rock was formed through | volcanic activity. It was laid down in layers | of decayed marine life over many millions | of years. It was subject to much erosion | during the various Ice Ages and reached | its present shape about 10,000 years ago. It is thought that this rock may have been | used by troops as a lookout post during the | Cromwellian Wars of the 1640s. Mass was celebrated on this rock during | the Penal Times. The Bell tower on top of the rock was | erected in 1832 to celebrate the granting | of Catholic Emancipation. "In God is my safety and glory, the rock | of my strength." (Ps. 62.7) Photo No.14 Limestone column. The Inscription reads - This Limestone column, quarried from 330 | million year old Carrick rock, is dedicated | to all who lived in this place from the | earliest times, who sensed the presence | of the sacred around them and carried the | relationship with each other, with the | universe and with all created things into | Christianity. | It was the bonding of the circle | of creation with the Cross of Redemption. | We are their descendants. | A precious inheritance of faith, goodness | and learning has been entrusted to us | to take care of and to hand on. | We remember the homes, the families, the | schools, the teachers and pupils. These | are the foundation stones of our parish. | We can trace education to | the monasteries in Drumloman and on | Church Island in the 6th century. | We remember the hedge schools which | replaced the Bardic Schools after 1641 | and the National Schools | which came into existence in 1831. | Carrick N.S. No 1 1834 - 1938 Carrick N.S. No 2 1938 - 1977 Ballynarry N.S. No 1 1832 - 1940 Ballynarry N.S. No 2 1940 - 1977 Moynagh N.S. 1843 - 1914 Clonoose N.S. 1887 - 1977 Ballynarry Central School 1977 Lavagh Classical School 1829 - 1880 "Consider the rock you were hewn from" | Isaiah 51.1. Photo No.15 Altar in Stone, where outdoor Mass is sometimes held in summertime. Photo No.16 Memorial to Little Children. The Inscription reads - Jesus said: "Let the little children | come to me; do not stop them; | for it is to such as these that | the Kingdom of God belongs". | Mark 10.14. Photo No.17 A Stone Bench from which there is pleasant view. A place to sit and reflect. The Inscription on the Plaque reads - "Glory be to Him whose power, | working in us, can do infinitely | more than we can ask or imagine" | Ephesians 3.20. Photo No.18 Our Lady Statue and Grotto. The Inscription on the Plaque reads - Statue of Our Lady | Commissioned by | Very Rev. J. Butler P.P. | Unveiled and Blessed by | Most Rev. J. McNamee D.D. | 17 August 1952 | Sculptor: | Mr. J. F. Plunkett, Lisnadarragh | Ave Maria. Photo No.19 Celtic Cross in stone. (For the Inscription see No.20) Photo No.20 (The Inscription on the Celtic Cross as in No.19) The Inscription reads - This unfinished Celtic Cross from the stoneyard | of James Francis Plunkett, Lisnadarragh is in | memory of those who are buried in unmarked | graves, in this cemetery and in mass graves in | the parish as a result of the Great Famine or | the other tragic events throughout our history. | We remember all our dead who are buried away | from home and all who have nobody left to pray | for them. | Jesus said: "I want those you given me to be | with me where I am..." (John 17.24) | Solas na dhFlaitheas Orthu go Leir. | Erected March 2014. Photo No.21 The old Cross from the church built 1825. The Inscription reads - This Cross adorned the | gable of | St. Marys Church, Carrick | since it was built | in 1825 until its | Renovation in 2006. | It is preserved | here in memory of all | the children who left | this world at the very | beginning of their lives | and to celebrate | their being. | May Christ enfold them | in his love. Photo No.22 Old inscription dated 1825, which reads - This Temple | erected principally at the | exspence (sic) of Gerald Dace | of Turbitstown Esq. | and the Parishioners | Rev. Phill OReilly D.D. | 1825. Photo No.23 View of Graveyard Photo No.24 Another view of the Graveyard. All images Copyright by Photographer