Regeneration and parish history book delayed

Have you seen this book?

BY BRENDAN MEEHAN

Which came first? The chicken or the egg? While that conundrum may have passed its sell by date long ago, we may soon be asking “Which will come first - the parish history book of Moyross or the houses regeneration planned?”
Almost 12 months after we told you of the forthcoming book chronicling the parish’s history, we are none the wiser. According to Tony O’Gorman, “talks about the launch of the book are off, pending the return of Fr. Frank O’Dea”.  

He’s due to return in a matter of weeks.

Local resident Tony Lynch referred to the book at last week’s Moyross Partners community meeting, “I asked about the book almost 14 months ago and I was told they were putting names to the photographs”.

The history book began life as a parish project, overseen by a local committee, while Northside Regeneration funded a researcher to prepare the bulk of the text.

Another one hits the deck

Meanwhile, house-building in Moyross has been postponed due to difficulties encountered by the first bidder for the contract. Demolitons continue without interruption.

15 First Communion Children in May Procession

BY BRENDAN MEEHAN

There was both reverence and celebration at the Marion Shrine this morning as parents and Corpus Christi’s Communion group paid tribute to the fallen children of Moyross.

This year 15 children from Moyross made their First Communion and they brought out the sunshine and numerous well-wishers as they paraded down past homes and businesses in Hartigan Villas and Sarsfield Gardens.

The First Communion children came with flowers as part of the May Procession.

The Shrine, which is located in Castlepark, was erected in 1997, when a band of locals took the initiative to fill the void left by demolished houses with a picturesque shrine.

However, today was the turn of the kids to take centre stage, as they sported their beautifully flamboyant outfits and sung harmonious hymns.

“It’s a beautiful ceremony and it’s now part of the school calender,” said Tracy McElligott, estate management worker. She helped revive the May Procession which had been abandoned for the last number of years.

There are two ceremonies each year, the other one taking place on the 8th December specifically to remember every young adult and child who has died.

“Its very hard for parents to come to that one, the 8th of December, for obvious reasons,” said Tracy.

“The residents done most of the work, and the shrine honours all of the children that have passed away in the area,” she said. “There is huge respect for the shrine, the community enterprise workers keep the grass cut and the residents safeguard it.”

Fourteen years after its inception, the shrine looks as pristine as ever, as last year participants from the local youth project repainted the statue of Holy Mary.

PHOTOS (COPYLEFT) BY: ALLEN MEAGHER, 'CHANGING IRELAND'.