The foundation Stone was laid in 1932 and eventually was consecrated in 1872. Records show that the first marriage took place in December 1872 and the first Baptism also took place in December 1872. In between the years 1832 – 1872 a Franciscan Monastery was founded, but was demolished in 1968?, all that rests to this day on the site is the original Tower; this monastery, from the site, a private house was converted into a chapel which gave a place of worship for the Catholic Community. In 1830 another church was built, extended in 1890, known as Saint Mary’s for church of Ireland worshipers which is still in use to this day.

The Presbyterians were also given land by John Nimmo 1833, (brother to Alexander Nimmo) to build a church (the Kirk) with the foundation stone laid by Mrs Martin of Ballinahinch in 1840 but was demolished in 1930. The sight is still visual with various grave stones from bygone years.

The much needed church in Cashel was begun at the suggestion of a protestant gentleman from Belfast who, from his bedroom window at the Cashel Hotel ( known as the Zetland House Hotel), saw a great bulk of congregation Kneeling bare – headed outside the school opposite during the celebration of a Mass. This man asked Fr Gleeson at breakfast in the hotel why he allowed this state of affairs to continue, “What can I do”? “Where am I going to get the means to build a church here”? “Well, I will give you a start” said the Belfast man and handed him a cheque for a £100. With that, and that alone, in his pocket he commenced the Cashel Church and tells us that many other charitable Protestants afterwards came forward with substantial help towards the church. Years later, when appealing for helping building Recess church, he said that he hoped that visitors there, no matter what religion they professed would imitate the noble example set by visitors to the Cashel hotel.
At the Stations of the Cross, he explained to the people the difficulties involved in building a new church. “The magic of the good PP however attracted crowds of willing hands who approached their work in right good earnest and obstacle after obstacle was surmounted in due course, until the foundation stone was blessed and laid. At that time Cashel had a population of 625 persons. (Courtesy: Fr Conal Eustace, Cashel 30th September 2021)

Was built in 1922 by Eamon O’Malley from Maam. It is a flat roofed Church, the unusual design is said to have originated when the plans for the church and plans for a building in Spain were mixed up. It was also said that the bell was found in a bog in Dunmore and was placed in the now said church. Johnny Joyce (Stephen) drew stones to the church while Fr Mac Greil’s grandfather was on the roof of the church when the Black and Tans took the Scaffolds down..Before St Patricks was built, mass was said in Derryneen School and were Chair house is today. The first marriage to take place in St Patricks, Recess was that of Mary and Martin O’Toole, Tawnaughmore in1925 “St Patrick’s day. (Courtesy: Croi Chonamara, Karen Manion)

St Bridget’s Church, Ballinafad

Was built c. 1835 and enlarged in 1911. This church as greatly thought of by the Barclays of Lisnabruka. The church was renovated in 1976; the windows were donated to the church by various families in the area, at approximately £100 each.

Known as “Our Lady of the way side Church”, built in 1865, it is a small Victorian gothic style chapel. It was originally a church of Ireland chapel but it closed in 1958 and was transferred as a gift to the Catholic Church in 1959. It is dedicated to St Patrick and the Stations of the Cross are by George Campbell (1917-1979). The house behind the church was originally a protestant schoolhouse.
Ballinahinch Castle RC chapel was a small chapel built within the grounds of Ballinahinch for Mrs Berridge by her husband Richard Berridge (1870-1941). Mr Berridge was a niece of J.V Wilcox’s who built Lisnabruka in Ballinafad.