Gelvin Community Association pay touching tribute to 'two of their own'

Members of Gelvin Community Association embarked on a very emotional ‘pilgrimage' to the site of Tannyranny Old Church on Sunday, August 17.

Tannyranny is in the townland of Gortgarn, on the side of Benbradagh, outside Dungiven.

This event had been planned by the founder member, driving force and lifetime treasurer of the association, Eugene McCloskey, so that they might pay tribute to another founder member, Gerard Mullan, whose whole family were committed to the association.

Early in the year, Gerard had finally succumbed after a valiant battle against cancer. During his lifetime, Gerard had been a frequent visitor to and protector of the site. Eugene and the group felt that an engraved stone or plaque, situated on the Tannyranny site would be a suitable memorial to Gerard.

Little did anyone think then that a few short months later,  Eugene would fall victim to the same merciless illness and be snatched away in a very short time.

Following this devastating turn of events, the G.C.A. took the decision to dedicate the memorial stone to both of these dedicated founder members. So it was that the walk occurred in quite bittersweet circumstances on a date very close to previous visits to the site.

God, and possibly Eugene and Gerard, must have played hands in the proceedings as the ‘walk’ occurred in glorious sunshine, and Stephen McLaughlin was most creative in his provision of safe and suitable transport for those who may well have struggled with the steep climb and rough terrain.

On reaching the site, a short interdenominational prayer service was held for Eugene and Gerard, with some liturgical readings and quiet reflections being carried out. Eugene’s wife, Joan, their daughter, Laura and grandchildren, Mark and Louisa, and Gerard’s sisters Carmel and Mary Kathleen played major roles in the event. Chairman, Henry Forsythe and former Chairman, Dermot Rafferty both spoke informatively and appropriately to greatly enhance the event.

The Association used the event to support the amazing work of the Foyle Hospice and paid tribute to the community for such a generous response in raising over £1,420 for this worthy cause.

Tannyranny Old Church was built during the Penal times in the 1700’s. It was a very solid and serviceable structure, built with local land stones, with walls two feet thick and a low roof which was almost certainly thatched. The church was surrounded by shrubs and trees which was very important at the time as it completely illegal to preach or teach the Catholic faith. It must be said however, that local members of other faiths would have been both very protective and supportive of their Catholic neighbours.

Thankfully, Catholic Emancipation saw the removal of any threats and all were free to worship where and when they wished, so churches tended to be built in locations of greater access. Preservation of old sites also remain important.