Gibbstown Cemetery
Prior to 1995, Gibbstown Cemetery was maintained by a couple of parishioners on a voluntary basis. Due to the increasing workload in maintenance, the voluntary body placed a notice in the Parish Bulletin seeking a public meeting.
The following committee was elected:
Vincent Garvey, Chairperson, Assumpta O’Sullivan, Secretary/Treasurer,
May Callaghan, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, Paddy Carr, Joe McFadden,
Neil McFadden, Francis Kearney, Tommy Heneghan, Seb Rooney, Kevin Mooney.
The new committee’s function and structure was defined from various opinions and proposals expressed at the meeting, viz. to bring order to the allocation of plots, also the continued upkeep and maintenance of the cemetery.
In 1999, the committee decided to erect a Jubilee Cross in the cemetery to mark the Millenium. A lot of time and effort went into this. They sought help from Fr Behan P.P. A letter was sent to every house explaining the decision and seeking donations.
The response was tremendous.
The beautiful figure was chosen by Fr Behan; the cross was made by Fergus Halpin; Clive Gibney designed the scroll and the crests. Maurice Spillane donated the stone surround. John Maree and Sons did the stonework.
Other voluntary helpers included Spillane Brothers and Sons, Tom Sheridan, Lorraine Callaghan, Paddy O’Sullivan, Tommy Luddy, Patricia Heffernan and three young students, Edward Callaghan, David Tiernan and Darren Nelson.
The new Cross was blessed on New Year’s Day 2000 by Rev Fr Behan, P.P.
Most Rev Dr Michael Smith blessed it on 11 June 2000 on the occasion of his visitation for the launch of the Faith History of the parish.
This small sum lets us know that you are genuinely enquiring and not a computer trying to send excess amounts of spam to our email account.