An Cillín, 8th December 2017

An Cillín

Bhí lá mór i bParóiste Mhaigh Cuilinn ar an ochtú lá de Mhí na Nollag seo caite, Lá Fhéile Mhuire gan Smál, nuair a coisreachadh An Cillín. Foirgneamh cloiche atá sa Chillín agus é múnlaithe ar stíl Séipéal Mhic Dara i gCarna agus Gallarus i gCiarraí. Is í an fhís a bhí againn mar choiste go mbeadh fíor bhrí theachtaireacht na Nollag le feiceáil i  sráidbhaile Mhaigh Cuilinn i rith aimsir na Nollag. Tamall ó shin chonacthas do ghrúpa sa pharóiste go raibh gá le háit ar leith sa cheantar chun Crib na Nollag a nochtadh go poiblí. D’fhás an togra as an smaoineamh sin agus lonnaíodh an máinséar san gCillín um Nollaig. Ceiliúrfar as seo amach oidhreacht Chríostúil an cheantair tri thaispeántais éagsúla i rith na bliana. Ghlac na scoileanna áitiúla le cuireadh a dtionscnaimh féin a léiriú sa Chillín ar a seal.Tabharfar cuireadh do ghrúpaí ón bpobal a mbeadh suim acu léiriú a dhéanamh ar ghné ar leith de stair, de shaoícht nó d’oidhreacht an cheantair sa mhéid is gur bhain sé le cúlra Críostúil na háite. Is mór an buíochas atá ag dul don Uasal Gerry Geoghegan, An Fuarán a bhronn suíomh orainn chun an Cillín a thógáil. Glacann muid buíochas ó chroí le chuile dhuine a chabhraigh leis an togra seo ar bhealach ar bith, tri shíntiúis airgid agus amhábhair thógála. Ár mbuíochas d’fhir oibre Fás, faoi cheannas Pat Mac Donagh a thóg foirgneamh cloiche den scoth. Seasann an Cillín anois i Iár shráidbhaile Mhaigh Cuilinn ag cuir i gcuimhne dúinn an tábhacht a bhaineann le comhoibriú ar mhaithe le teachtaireacht na Críostaíochta agus oidhreacht uasal ársa Mhaigh Cuilinn a chaomhnú agus a chomóradh sa todhchaí. Tá súil againn go mbainfidh muintir na háite agus iad siúd ag dul thar bráid, taithneamh agus tairbhe as an saothar seo.

Note of Appreciation from Coiste An Chillín

An Cillín is a reminder of the heritage and culture of Moycullen Parish. The celebration of our Christian Feast Days and National Holidays at An Cillín will serve to preserve and maintain our Christian tradition. By displaying and celebrating the Christmas Nativity scene we will bring forward the true meaning of Christmas to the heart of our village. Children
from local school areas may display projects relating to our Christian environment and its links with nature. An Cillín will also serve to display items of our local history and tradition.  All are welcome to celebrate and reflect at An Cillín. The existence of An Cillín in the centre of our village is a tribute to the generosity of the people of Moycullen Parish and surrounding areas. Coiste an Chillín wish to acknowledge the support and goodwill shown over the past two years, as this project evolved and came to fruition on the Feast of the  Immaculate Conception, 8th December 2017. In the Spring of 2017 the work commenced after planning permission was granted. We envisaged the structure to be modelled on old monastic buildings such as Séipéal Mhic Dara on Oileán Mhic Dara, Carna and Gallarus Oratory in Co. Kerry. With the expertise of Mr. Brian Stewart, our vision was realised. We were blessed to have a wonderful group of local tradesmen and stonemasons under the direction of Mr. Pat Mc Donagh of Fás, while the project was co-ordinated by local engineer Mr Seán Reilly. None of this could have happened without the moral and financial support of the local community.
We will always be grateful for the financial donations, both large and small, for building materials from those who wish to remain anonymous. To those who contributed beautiful objects, symbols of our Christian heritage, which will be used in displays throughout the year, we say a big thank you.
Míle buíochas ó Choiste an Chillín.