The annual graveyard Mass in St Ciaráns Graveyard on Cape Clear Island overlooking beautiful North Harbour on Sunday 3 July is very important to the wider Island community. This year, the popular event is especially significant since it marks a very important double celebration that is the Golden Jubilee of the ordination of Fr Peter Quelly, from Courtmacsherry who has served the Island faithfully for the past 17 years or so. For all those years, Fr Peter, a Holy Ghost Priest based in Rockwell has made a weekly journey, winter and summer from Tipperary to Cape Clear Island and back again, often via Courtmacsherry. He has braved winter storms and forgone his comforts even to the extent of facing the sea crossing on Christmas Day itself.

Of course Fr Peter himself is descended from hardy Heir Islanders and often, on the journey to Cape takes a fond look across the waters to our neighbouring island which he also likes to visit whenever possible. Seventeen years is a long time but it comes after an over 30 year stint of missionary life, most of it in war torn Sierra Leon.

So it is hoped that many of his friends will join the Island community on this important day. Fr Peter has a great sense of those that have gone before us, the 50 generations or so of Islanders who have kept the faith alive since the days of St Ciarán and who are all especially remembered on the day of the Graveyard Mass.

Following the Mass refreshments will be provided in Club Cléire by the Island Community.

Photo shows Fr Peter Quelly with Fr Dónal Cadogan, South Harbour, Cape Clear, RIP, in the Island Heritage Center.

Mass takes place at 3pm with ferries from Baltimore at 11am and 2pm and Schull at 12 noon.

Fáilte is fiche go Cléire ar an lá speisialta seo.

Séamus Ó Drisceoil.