Mullingar Pioneers celebrate centenary with Mass and social gathering
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Attracta Purcell, Mullingar, Bridget Goldsbury, Rochfortbridge, Harry Goldsbury, Rochfortbridge, and Patricia Fox, Turin.Image 2 of 11
Anne Quinn and Vera Cahill from Ballynacargy.Image 3 of 11
Mary Meany and Eileen Heffernan on Sunday afternoon.Image 4 of 11
Kathleen Mimnagh, Susan Carey, Kevin Kelly and Rose Carey at the lunch on Sunday.Image 5 of 11
Kitty Ledwith and Mary McNamara from Ballynacargy.Image 6 of 11
Mary Carroll and Maureen Leavy from Mullingar.Image 7 of 11
May Egerton and Laura Connaire from The Downs.Image 8 of 11
Tom Doran and Dan Lynch from Rosenalis, County Laois.Image 9 of 11
Bishop Tom Deenihan with Fr Bernard McGuckian.Image 10 of 11
Damien and Bridie Hannigan from Mullingar.Image 11 of 11
Betty Mimnagh Dunne, Danny Dunne, Mary Costelloe, Roberta Coyne, Bridie Hannigan from the PTAA committee.Mullingar Pioneers celebrated their centenary on Sunday last, July 9, with Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the King and a social gathering afterwards at Coláiste Mhuire.
Mullingar Town Band were on the front steps of the cathedral as members and Mass-goers arrived.
Bishop Deenihan celebrated the Mass and Concelebrants were Fr Bernard McGuckian, SJ, Fr Robert McCabe, CC, Fr Seamus Houlihan, PP, Fr Phil Gaffney, Adm, Fr Barry White, CC, and Seminarian Mark Caffrey.
In his homily, Bishop Deenihan spoke about the role of Pioneers, and pointed out that though their numbers are falling, they remain have an important place in the society of today. He thanked all Pioneers for their good witness and prayers.
After Mass, the Pioneers gathered at the steps of the cathedral for a group photo to mark the 100 years, then they headed to Coláiste Mhuire for a lunch and speeches from Daniel Dunne, representing Jim Buckley, Matt Boylan, president of the Pioneer Association, Joe Monaghan, chairman of Mullingar Regional Pioneers, Jim Smith, Diocesan chairman, PTAA, and finally Ruth Illingworth detailed the history of Mullingar Pioneers from 1923 to the present day.
After the speeches and lunch everyone enjoyed music from Camillus Egerton and the dance floor was in full.
Mullingar Pioneers are deeply grateful to all the volunteers who helped on the day and the Saturday to get Coláiste Mhuire ready. They are also thanked Keith Quinn and Niall O’Brien for allowing us the use of St Mary’s CBS on the day.