Student guides, Joey and Michael informed us
that the seminary was founded in 1795 and by 1800 was the largest seminary in
the world. Before its foundation the severity of the Penal Laws caused the men
and boys to study for the priesthood in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and the
Netherlands.
Around this time Britain was at war with France
and the British Government feared that priests educated abroad would come under
the influence of the French Revolution so they relaxed the Penal Laws. The
Irish Parliament passed a law for ‘The Better Education of Persons professing
the Popish or Roman Catholic Religion’ and this led to the foundation of
Maynooth. The first staff was a number of French scholars from the Sorbonne.
Lay students were admitted 1800. By 1871 the State subsidy was withdrawn and it
became Independent.
1910 it was a recognized College of NUI – it
was now exclusively clerical until 1966 when it became an Open University. In
1997 the University became Independent of St Patrick’s College Maynooth.
The grounds of the University are beautifully
kept but it is the College Chapel that takes ones breath away when entering it.
It dates back to 1795 and was designed by J. J.
MC Carthy professor of Architecture at the University. Funds to build this
highly decorated chapel were collected from Irish people at home and abroad.
Our ancestors contributed in difficult times to this magnificent structure.
‘Praise God’ is the theme of the chapel. The mosaic floor of the long nave
leading to the high altar of Italian and Connemara marble carries the theme
with the words of the psalm inviting young men to holiness. The chapels at the
back of the High Altar have their own distinctive features but the chapel of
the Blessed Mother whose walls are decorated in gold leaf is truly beautiful.
Words fail to describe the beauty of the Chapel. When Mary Sweeney led the
group in the singing of the “Ár n Athair’ a silenced descended and our voices
floated up into the decorated vaulted ceiling - a magical moment.
Kilmainham
The contrast between Maynooth and Kilmainham
couldn’t be different. This gaol was founded in 1796-1924 the year after
Maynooth. It was built for ordinary prisoners men, women and children as well
as criminals. They shared the same cells in over crowed conditions which led to
violence and disease. During the Great Famine people deliberately committed
crimes so that they would be committed and given basic food. Internees included
Robert Emmet, Charles Stuart Parnell who was allowed to bring in his own
furniture into a spacious room as opposed to the criminals who were packed into
tiny, cold, damp cells with restricted day light.
The 1916 leaders corridor show the names high
up over the doors of their cells – Patrick and Willie Pearse, Thomas Clarke,
Thomas Mc Donagh, Joseph Mary Plunkett and Countess Markievicx.
Standing in the Stone Breakers Yard is a
chilling experience as one can understand how the executions of these brave men
changed the Nations mood towards the rebel leaders. The newly restored
Kilmainham is worth a visit.
Finally the ‘shoppers’ in the group had time to
bargain hunt in Liffey Valley Shopping Center. We made our way back to Galway
as the sun set in the west after a memorable trip.
Mary Kyne
October 2016