St. Peter's Church, Carrigfadda is one of the most significant landmarks in the Reenascreena area. Here Con O'Callaghan reveals the history behind this important piece of our local heritage [CJ].

Inside St. Peter's

It stretches from Knockmore on the northern side to Garranagoleen on the south eastern side. It would be hard to expect any great closeness in such a scattered area. The parish Church at Rosscarbery serves the town and townlands around it. The chapel at Lisavaird serves the south eastern section, while Carrigfadda is the centre for the northern part of the parish.

In the early years of the 20th century the parish of Rosscarbery was served by a Parish Priest and a curate but the establishment of the convent in 1894 put extra demands on the clergy, thus the need for an extra priest and church. The request was made to get a third priest in the parish. There were some problems to be overcome. The first was that the annual dues were not large enough to support an extra priest. The second was where this man would be placed.

With the help of Bishop Kelly, the parish priest Rev P Hill PP made the case to Rome. They were able to show that the neighbouring parish of Kilmacabea had more income than was needed to support its clergy. So in typical fashion of that time, it was decided to transfer 10 townlands from Kilmacabea to Rosscarbery.

These townlands are: Knockmore, Knockavoher, Killnacally, Threegnevees, Carhugarriff, Milleenahilan, Tullig, Cashel, Dunscullib and Clounkeen East.

This area together with the townlands on the northern side of the parish which are Carrigfadda, Carrigangrenane, Maulathanavalla, Glounbrack, Mauleregan and Reenascreena North and South, all form the area served by Carrigfadda chapel.

At that time many people expected the chapel would be built in the village of Reenascreena, but Rev P Hill PP had a different view. He did not want it near a public house, and so the chapel was built in a central place, but a very isolated spot. The foundation stone was laid in 1907, and the Church was named St Peter’s.

The land for the Church was acquired from the McCarthy and O’Sullivan families of Carrigfadda. While the O’Sullivan’s are not living here now, there are still strong connections with the area. The McCarthy family are still hale and hearty in the district. The builders were the O’Donovan’s (Rinnce) of Ross, noted contractors at that time. The wooden altar was erected by O’Regans of Rosscarbery, exceptionally gifted craftsmen. On the side of the altar the name Micheál O Reagáin MCMX.is carved.

Renovation work was done in the Church in the 1950’s by Paul Daly from Leap. Most of the windows had to be replaced at this time.