Parishioners from the four churches of the parish, Ballycoog, Templerainey, Barranisky and Avoca itself will carry banners to a gathering place in the woodland where Professor Muiris O’Sullivan will give a talk on the history and the memories of the parishes.
According to Professor Muiris, in ancient times, before county council graveyards, burials at places like Kilmagig were originally the places where the earliest church communities in the locality were living.
The site was granted by a local king and usually located near a spring well. This became a holy well, as in Kilmagig, where the well can still be seen as can the ruins of the stone church which was probably still in use as a parish church until the 16th or 17th century. And there were benefits for the local community as it was believed that to be buried in the old churchyard was a way to avoid purgatory.
The idea of a jubilee year goes back to 1300 and Pope Boniface VIII. Originally the idea was to undertake a pilgrimage to Rome.
Everyone is due to meet at the Red Kite loop natural play area, where the talk will take place along with music and a short prayer service, starting at 3pm.
Fitter members of the community may wish to walk on up afterwards to the ancient graveyard, probably a 15 minute walk. On site some chairs will be provided and you could also bring your own if you have a folding chair left over from the Papal visit or summer days on the beach.
Afterwards everyone is invited to refreshments and a get together in Avoca National School where the bakers and tea makers, led by Mary Condron from Ballycoog, will provide a spread.
The school will also be the place to park before heading up to Kilmagig. There will be marshalls and sign posting to ensure no-one is lost along the way.