Ireland: Franciscans return to Roundstone 200 years after migrating to America

A group from one of America's oldest universities arrived in Galway this month to celebrate the link between Galway and Pittsburgh. The delegation from St Francis University travelled to Galway to trace the footsteps of six friars who departed Connemara in the 1800s on a brave journey to establish what is now regarded as one of the most prestigious universities stateside.

The group, led by Fr Malachi Van Tassell, President of St Francis University in Pittsburgh travelled to Ireland in honour of the university's six founding friars.

It was in 1847, at the invitation of Bishop Michael O'Connor of Pittsburgh that the six friars from the Diocese of Tuam left Roundstone and Clifden in Connemara to establish a school in Loretto. Br Giles Carroll, Br Domenick Lee, Br Vincent Welstead, Br Joseph Corcoran, Br Peter McDermott and Br Jerome O'Keeffe then laid the foundation of what became Saint Francis University, the oldest Franciscan University in the United States.

Each year, during Founders Day, the university honours the six brothers and this trip brought a new dimension to remembering the hard-working and inspirational friars.

During the group's visit to Galway, they learned firsthand about the brothers' Irish roots, worshipping where they worshipped and walking where they walked. The delegates were hosted by Celtic Footstep, a destination management company based in Furbo, Co. Galway and headed up by Kerry O'Sullivan and Kathleen McDonagh.

As part of the nationwide trip, the group visited the Book of Kells, Glendalough, Newgrange and the North Coast. The group arrived in Mayo on Tuesday 2 June where they visited Knock Shrine and attended Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam. They met with Br James Mungoven from Clifden who gave a talk on the history of the Franciscan Monastery that was established in Roundstone in 1835.

Br Mungoven is a significant expert on the link between Roundstone and Pittsburgh and showed the delegates the remnants of the former Monastery in Roundstone where the six friars were based - today there remains a bell tower in its place.

On Wednesday 3 June, the delegates saw Kylemore Abbey and Mass was celebrated there by Fr Malachi Van Tassell, President of St Francis University in addition to a Mass on the Aran Islands on Thursday 4 June before attending a performance of Trad on The Prom in Salthill.

On Friday 5 June, the Franciscan Brothers at The Abbey on Francis Street, Galway welcomed the group and they celebrated morning Mass together.

Kathleen McDonagh said: "This was a hugely significant visit for the delegation and one that was spiritual but very fitting to mark the achievements of the brothers that left Galway. It was also an emotional experience for those visiting Galway from the USA."

For more information on Celtic Footsteps see: www.celticfootstep.com