Bicentenary of St Michael’s Church, Upper Glanmire  

This year Glanmire parish is celebrating the bicentenary of St Michael’s Church. In 1808 the church in Upper Glanmire was reconstructed. The sanctuary was transferred from the eastern to the northern end and the entrances were also switched. Previously the entrance was situated at the northern end as the pathway was on that side. The change of pathway to the southern end, which is now the road in front of the church, necessitated the changes within the church. The thatched roof was also replaced by a solid roof at that time.

To celebrate the work of 1808 the parish set up a special bicentenary committee at the beginning of the year and a number of projects were planned. It was the local ICA branch that kicked off the bicentenary year. On a crisp winter’s morning five trees were planted to mark this important milestone in St Michael’s history. Míle buíochas, Ladies. The Church has been repainted inside and is now looking splendid in its new colours.

Masses were celebrated in Templeisque cemetery and at Coolgreen as part of the celebrations (see separate entries). Mass was broadcast on RTE Radio on Sunday, September 21st and Sunday, September 28th. The music was provided by Scoil Naomh Mícheal. The main celebration took place on Saturday, October 11, at 7.30 p.m., when Bishop Buckley was main celebrant at the Mass. Canon Kerry Murphy-O'Connor delivered the homily.

In addition, a retreat will be given in Upper Glanmire church by the Redemptorist team. It will be a three day event from 24-26 November. More on this anon.

A series of short articles on the history of the church, compiled by the heritage group of the bicentenary committee, have been appearing regularly in the Glanmire News. Children from the local primary school, Scoil Naomh Mícheal, situated across from the church, did a project on their church and this will be available for viewing after the Mass on October 11. Congratulations to Rachel Kelleher, Mary Flaming, Aoife Moynihan, Rebecca Hyde, and their teacher, Miss O’Connor, on a wonderful presentation. 

 St Michael’s is proving an attractive venue for weddings.