Gougane Barra
Pilgrimages to Gougane Barra
The Story of Gougane Barra
The hallowed shrine of Saint Finbarr dates back to the sixth century. Here the saint communed with God. The surrounding mountains were his cloister and the lake was for him the mirror of God’s grandeur. Stone cells commemorate his hermitage. From here he journeyed the river-way of the Lee to become the first bishop and founder of the church and city of Cork. He died in 623 AD and his feast-day is celebrated on September the 25th
Text inscribed at the entrance to the Island, attributed to Timothy Manning, Cardinal Archbishop of Los Angeles, native of Uibh Laoire parish.
Each year, pilgrims gather at Gougane on the Sunday following 25 September to honour St Finbarr and ask for his blessing.
St Finbarr is patron of Cork, one of the patrons of the Diocese of Cork and Ross, and is also honoured at University College Cork on whose gate pillars is engraved the phrase “Where Finbarr taught let Munster learn”
Any latest news and announcements will be published below
The island associated with St. Finbarr’s monastic settlement in Gougane Barra had a capacity congregation for the annual pilgrimage on Sunday
Bishop Fintan Gavin was the principal celebrant of the Mass and was assisted by local priest Fr Anthony O’Mahony Co-PP as well as priests who are natives of the parish of Uibh Laoire.
Bishop Fintan launched a year of prayer, listening and discernment in the diocese as the Catholic Church responds to challenges and opportunities presented by changes in society and church.
He also introduced a special prayer which he is asking the whole diocese to pray during the coming year.
Bishop calls for a time of prayer, listening and discernment
Procession of Altar Servers and Priests at the beginning of the Mass at Gougane BarraA year of prayer will be launched this Sunday from one of the diocese's best known places of prayer
Bishop Fintan will lead the pilgrimage to Gougane Barra, on Sunday October 6th and will preside at Mass at 3pm at the Oratory.
Rosary will precede the Mass at 2.30pm.
During the Mass Bishop Fintan Gavin will read a new pastoral message which he is publishing to the entire Diocese of Cork and Ross. It will also be read at all Masses throughout the diocese on the weekend.
Central to the bishop's message is an invitation for everyone in the diocese to begin a year of prayer, listening and discernment asking the Holy Spirit to guide the Church in times of extraordinary change.
Bishop Fintan will also launch a prayer which he is asking everyone to pray during the year.
The invitational message and the prayer will both be available at Gougane Barra for people to take home.
St. Finbarr's Oratory, Gougane Barra
The pilgrimage and Mass at St. Finbarr’s Oratory, Gougane Barra, which was scheduled for this Sunday 29th is now postponed.
It will take place instead on the following Sunday, October 6th. The time of the Mass and Rosary on Sunday 6th October will remain the same, Rosary at 2.30pm with Mass at 3pm.
This change is necessary due to the forecast inclement weather which has led to an Orange Weather Warning being issued by Met Eireann and out of concern for the safety of all involved.
Gougane Sunday postponedIn the region of 2500 people were present in Gougane Barra on Sunday 1st October for Rosary and Annual Mass for Gougane Sunday.
Many of those present remarked that this was one of the largest attendances in many years and the occasion was blessed with beautiful autumn weather. This was a unique occasion in that this year marks the 1,400 anniversary of the death of St. Finbarr.
People gathered from many parishes and different groups for the Rosary and Annual Mass.
Large Gathering for Gougane Sunday
Bishop's Invitation to Gougane Barra (watch the video)
Sunday Oct 1st is a special day in Gougane Barra this year
Bishop Fintan will lead celebrations marking 1,400 years since St Finbarr - the founder of Gougane Barra – died.
Rosary at 2.30pm will be followed by concelebrated Mass at 3pm on the island.
The principal celebrant will be Bishop Fintan Gavin and the homily will be preached by Fr Bernard Cotter.
Processional music will be by Ballingeary Pipe Band.
Everyone is welcoome.
Marauding forces from overseas tried to stop it. The supression of Catholicism made it a crime. Even bishops declared at times that was a sin to go there!
But going to Gougane Barra to pray has been a constant for over 1,400 years.
In recent decades it's well known as a special place to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage – and thousands of couples have.
During the Penal Laws, when the celebration Mass was outlawed, lay people developed their own way of praying there and this became known as "doing the rounds". To this day, communities still call there on hearing of an illness or need for prayer in their community.
On Sunday Oct 1st., Bishop Fintan Gavin will preside at Mass there to mark the 1,400th anniversary of the first Christian to have prayed there – St Finbarr.
The Oratory of St. Finbarr at Gougane Barra.
Sunday 1 October 2023
2:30pm Rosary - Fr Bernard Cotter
3:00pm Mass - Bishop Fintan Gavin
Finbarr established an early monastic community here and later went on to found a centre of learning in the march of Cork -- which later grew into the city.
All are invited to the celebrations at Gougane Barra on Sunday 1st October marking the 1,400th anniversary of the death of St Finbarr.
Mass at 3pm is preceded by the Rosary at 2.30 pm. Fr Bernard Cotter, former Parish Priest of Uibh Laoire and Co-PP in Castlehaven Parish will preach the homily.
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