In 1996/97, we organised a year of events for young and old to commemorate the 1300th anniversary of the death of St. Moling.
The St. Mullins GAA Clubhouse, at Páirc Naomh Moling, was officially opened by GAA President Jack Boothman in June 1996.
Confirmation Day and the 40th anniversary of the Ordination of the late Bishop Laurence Ryan (Kildare & Leighlin and of this parish), were celebrated on the Feast of St. Moling, June 17th.
St. Mullins Angling Club held a Trout Fly Fishing Competition and Cabaret.
A Parish Outing to Dublin took in:
- Trinity College Library to see the Book of Mulling (Moling), an 8th century manuscript of the new testament from St. Mullins;
- Marsh’s Library to see the medieval manuscript of the Life of St. Moling;
- The National Museum to view the Rock Art boulder dating back to 4000BC found in Dranagh, St. Mullins, the Charter Horn of the Kavanagh Clan of Borris House, and other artefacts of interest.
St. Mullins Foróige Club buried a stainless steel capsule containing vacuum-packed photographs, call cards, hit songs of the day and personal mementos of the twelve- to fifteen-year-old members. The Rathanna Marching Band provided the music and put on a marvellous display. The capsule will be dug up in 2046.
St. Mullins ICA held an exhibition of Arts and Crafts in Glynn Hall.
SMART’s Heritage Trail Booklet was launched by Dr. Ned Culleton, an expert on early Celtic Christianity, who also gave a talk on the Life of St. Moling and the significance of the monastic site in St. Mullins. The priceless shrine of the Book of Mulling, the Liath Meisicithe, went on display in the Heritage Centre. Results for a competition run by St. Mullins Parish Bulletin on the theme of St. Moling 696 to St. Mullins 1996 were announced, and the projects much admired. The day closed with a cheese and wine reception.
On Pattern Sunday, Bishop Ryan read a letter to the people of St. Mullins from President of Ireland, Mary Robinson.
St. Mullins Heritage Centre hosted a Golden Year’s Outing and guided tour of the monastic site. Later in Glynn Hall, cine film footage from the 1950s was shown, followed by a tea dance.
For National Heritage Week, St. Mullins Muintir na Tíre organised a guided tour of the monastic site attended by the Old Carlow Society, New Ross Historical Society and local people.
The Kavanagh Clan Gathering arrived from all over the world to trace Kavanagh connections in the area, especially to see the grave of Art, King of Leinster, who died in 1417.
At Halloween, a Raffle and Coffee Evening was held in Glynn Hall, with delicious home baking supplied by local ladies. An adult dancing evening was held in Glynn Hall.
In May 1996 and 1997, SMART organised outings to Brosna, Co. Kerry, where St. Moling was born and visited the Holy Well there dedicated to him. On both occasions a great welcome was received and there was a great hooley with music, song and dance. Great friendships were formed and the people of Brosna have made return visits to St. Mullins.
In 1997, Mass for the Feast of St. Moling on June 17th took place in the “Church of the Cows” at Templenaboe, a little ruin overlooking St. Mullins. This little church high on a hill was built in thanksgiving for the remission of the Boromean Tribute by St. Moling. It was also the site where unbaptised babies were buried up to the 1950s. Schoolchildren from the parish ded the readings, hymns and assisted with the Mass in remembrance of these babies buried there. This has become an annual event.
