PICTURES: Roscrea Folk Group mark their Golden Jubilee

2026 sees a major milestone for Roscrea Folk Group, who celebrate the Golden Jubilee of their very talented and popular group this year – with the main event to mark the occasion held in St Cronan’s Church over the weekend.

This year marks the Golden Jubilee of Roscrea Folk Group. The group was formed in 1976 by the late Fr. Tony Cahir and they have been enhancing the liturgy of the vigil mass in St. Cronan’s for a long number of years.

Roscrea Folk Group meet for singing practice every Tuesday night at 7:30pm in the Roscrea Lions Club Hall on Rosemary Street and always welcome new members and old members who wish to return to the popular group.

To celebrate the occasion they were joined by Bishop Fintan Monahan for a special mass on Saturday night last in St Cronan’s Church in Roscrea, which was beautifully decorated to mark the very special Golden Jubilee celebrations. 

The group were also joined by many former members and by local clergy members Fr Tom Corbett and Fr Jibin José.

The celebrations continued after Mass in the with acknowledgements made to members who have contributed above and beyond the call of duty within the group over many years.

Many members who have been very dedicated to the group and led to it’s success received tributes and Anne Crean also received a special mention for her five decades of contribution, being the group's original active member.

The leader and Musical Director of the Folk Group is Margaret Moloney. We thank her for her professionalism, dedication and commitment at the helm for many years. Her talent, good humour and patience has ensured the success of the Group now and into the future.

To mark the occasion also Seamus Doran and Anne Crean composed special hymns which were sung on the night.

The Group were joined for refreshments by the congregation after the mass in the Youth Club and wish to thank the Youth Club committee for the use of the facilities and to Pauline Loughnane for providing the food.

Roscrea Folk Group wish to acknowledge and thank the Priests and Parishioners of Roscrea for their continued and ongoing support down through the last fifty years.