St. Mary's Church, Kilmore, County Wexford
History
The church was built to designs of William Day between 1798 and 1802. Later additions include a tower in 1889, an annexe in 1898, and a later vestry in 1935. Some of the later additions are attributed to the architect Thomas Joseph Cullen (1879-1947), with the stained glass in the east window (dated to 1884) attributed to the stained-glass artist Lucien-Léopold Lobin (1837–92).
Choral tradition
A tradition of carol singing, at Christmas, has taken place locally since the mid 18th century. The carols, written in the Yola language, have been "sung without a break" since they were introduced to the parish by Very Rev. Peter Devereux, who was parish priest c. 1751. Some of the songs were written by Very Rev. William Devereux, P.P., Piercestown, a native of Tacumshane, where he is buried, while others were written by Bishop Luke Waddinge of Ferns. In all, there are thirteen carols, eight of which are usually sung during the Christmas period, the first at first Mass on Christmas Day and the last one on Sunday nearest Twelfth Day.
References
- ^ "Volume 2 - Record of Protected Structures" (PDF). Wexford County Development Plan 2013-2019. Wexford County Council. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ "Catholic Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Anne and Saint Joseph, Sarshill, Kilmore, Wexford". buildingsofireland.ie. National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ Churches of the Diocese of Ferns (Dublin: Booklink, 2004), 88
- ^ "Kilmore carols". askaboutireland.ie. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
- ^ "RTÉ Archives - Ancient Christmas Carols (1977)". rte.ie. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
- ^ "The Kilmore carollers". irishtimes.com. Irish Times. 22 December 1998. Retrieved 11 January 2023.