Arranmore to celebrate 200 years of St Crones Church with concert and special Mass

Celebrations are underway in Arranmore this week to mark 200 years of St Crones Church.

The proceedings began today at 12pm in the Church, followed by a Rosary at Cnoc na Naomh.

Irish country music star John Hogan will be one of the stars on show tomorrow at the first-ever concert in the chapel at 2pm. Tony Allen of Foster & Allen, Theresa Rodgers and Eddie Gallagher will also perform. Limited tickets are on sale in the Post Office.

The Bicentenary Mass is taking place this Thursday at 2pm. Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, Bishop Donal Roche, Fr Pat Ward, Fr John Attoh and former priests who have served through the years will celebrate the special Mass.

After the Mass there will be a rededication of St Crones Church at the gate, where a plaque will be unveiled. The last time the Church was dedicated was in 1917 when the extension was built.

The Pipe Band and Choir will perform and the celebrations will continue in the community centre afterwards with local musicians.

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It will be an opportunity to meet and talk with the former priests. Tea and refreshments will be served and anyone wishing to donate baked goods can bring them to the community centre by 12pm. The patchwork quilt raffle, which started in May, will also take place.

The Bicentennial Reflections 1825 - 2025 book will be on sale. The bilingual book is a history and photos of St Crones Church down the years. The committee would like to thank Pleanáil Teanga Árainn Mhór an An Comharchumann for their support in getting the book published.

There is a fundraising page set up for the repair work to the stained glass windows, which can be found through this link. All proceeds from donations and all the fundraising will go towards work on the Church.