Category Life in the past

Jun 16 2014

Other Stories

Parish Life in the Past

Other Stories

ink-face

We have set aside these pages for any other stories that may be of interest to parishioners – stories written by parishioners; stories about parishioners; stories or articles from books or magazines; stories from anywhere at all.

We have only three stories so far. One is about a parishioner, Neddy Murphy, and his life and death around the Fenor church. Another is about an altar boy and his tribulations in the days of the Latin Mass. The last is a story by the Cork writer Frank O’Connor about First Confession.

It would be grand if we could get some stories from the Dunhill end of the parish as most of our stories come from Fenor. So, if you come across a story or would like to write a story that you feel might interest our readers, please let the communications team know about it. Remember, it’s not just people living in the locality who read these stories – it’s people all over the world.

Jan 21 2014

Fenor 1884 – 1984

Parish Life in the Past

Fenor 1884 – 1984

These stories, which relate in some way to the religious life of the parishioners of Fenor, were taken from the book “Fenor – Its Facts, Faces and Folklore” which was published in 1994 for the centenary of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Fenor. Of course, many of the stories and much of the folklore would be familiar to people of other parishes and, indeed, of other countries.

Doctor

The many “cures” and piseóga came down from an age when doctors were few and far between and people had to rely on their own devices to survive illness.
foxglove
It’s easy, now, to laugh at some of these cures but many of them did work and from them scientists were able to extract the essential ingredients such as penicillin (from the fungus Penicillium notatum) and digitalis (from Digitalis purpurea, the common foxglove).

So read and learn and develop a new respect for the people of the time. Do you not wonder how we would fare if we were parachuted into the middle of 1884?

Jan 21 2014

Fenor 1996 – Diary of a Parish

Parish Life in the Past

Fenor 1996 – Diary of a Parish Community

pencil-paper

The events recorded here and listed in the menu on the left first appeared in the book “Fenor 1996 – Diary of a Parish Community“. Other events appear in the book that are not recorded here. We have selected these particular events because they relate in some way to the religious life of the community. Anyone wishing to see the full diary is advised to obtain a copy of the book.

The reason for the choice of 1996 as the diary year is set out in the book’s dedication, which is the first item in the menu. We hope that you enjoy reading our selection.

Jan 21 2014

Fenor 2010 – Growing and Changing

Parish Life in the Past

Fenor 2010 – Growing and Changing

This is the title of the latest book to be published about the village of Fenor and the surrounding area. It is a collection of memories of the people who live there, or who once lived there, as many of them are now gone. “This little book is a window to our past and the essence of who we are now”.Young people who have experienced life only as it is lived today may find it difficult to imagine that life was ever different. Those of us in our middle years who have known different times still often refuse to believe some of the stories told by our parents or grandparents about the way it was in their day.To help and encourage you to peek through the window of time we have reproduced just two of the stories told in the book. You can read them by clicking on the titles at top left. We hope you will enjoy them.
old-fenor-map

The map is an old 19th century map of Fenor

Jan 21 2014

Parish Life In The Past

Parish Life in the Past

Spinning

The Way It Was

This photo of a woman spinning was taken around the time our two churches were built – about 1890. How on earth did she get by without a mobile phone or a tablet?
Young people are often amazed when they hear how different parish life was when their parents and grandparents were young. So much has changed in the practice of religion. Of course, many religious practices were not religious at all but were merely superstitions, and many of them were driven off by the Archangel Solas – the electric light. Even grannies and granddads forget how it was until they are reminded.

Sore head
For instance, do you remember that characteristic “bonk!” sound that was heard from time to time during Mass when the head of a fainting child banged into the bench in front? Of course you do, but you haven’t heard it for a long time, have you? Not since the rule about fasting from midnight was relaxed.

Writing

Now is your chance to remind us all of the way it was. Why not put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and write out a wee something. Post it or hand it in to the parish office or e-mail it to the communications team. You will find contact details on the Contact Us page. It doesn’t have to be a 10,000-word opus. Little things are also important and if you think your story is interesting or humorous, we will too. So send it in to us and we will let everyone enjoy it.

Writing

To encourage you we have published a few stories which were, mostly, reproduced from books on Fenor, including the latest book, ‘Fenor 2010 – Growing and Changing’. They are available from the menu on the left of this page. Stories from Dunhill and some new stories are on the way.
We hereby exhort you grannies and granddads to compel your offspring to read these stories. It will do them good and let them see what a tough life you had and how easy it is for them now, and how ungrateful they are, and how they should appreciate you more, and … you know the routine!