Dominican Family Day – trip to Burrishoole, Clew Bay, Co Mayo, place of the Two Honoria’s.

We, Sisters, Staff, Neighbours, Friends, and Ultan Lally, our local historian, got off to an early start, leaving Galway at 9am, heading for our first stop, Newport Parish Church to view the famous Harry Clarke window, ‘The Last Judgement’. Harry designed all three lights, but was only able to cut the glass for one light, as he became seriously ill with his recurring TB.

The day was a perfect day for the outing, so all roads led to the Abbey. It is the most stunning place you could imagine. Ultan gave us a powerful talk on the History of the Abbey, the history of the Dominican Family at the time of the Foundation of the Abbey in 1469, highlighting the two brave women, whom the Cromwellian Soldiers murdered.

The two Honorias, remarkable women, were members of the third Order of Dominicans at Burrishoole. Honoria Burke entered around the young age of 14, and lived into old age, dying around 100. Honoria Magean was younger, dedicated and caring. When the Priory was attacked in 1653, the two women and a carer were forced to flee to Saints Island on Lake Furnace. Poor Honoria Burke was stripped of her clothes, and thrown into a boat, where she died a short time later from her injuries. Honoria Magean fled into the forest and was later found frozen in a tree.

The General Chapter meeting in Rome in 1656, three years later, commemorated the martyrdom of the Burrishoole women. A Friar from Burrishoole attended this Chapter and thankfully told of the plight of the Tertiaries.

At the same time a Dominican Convent was being built in Taorminia, Sicily. They decorated the walls with frescoes of Dominican women, including that of Bl Honoria Magean. Centuries later the Convent became Hotel San Domenico, where an Irish Priest, staying there around 1921, made the amazing discovery.

Mayo County Council, located the Statue of Mary, Queen of Martyrs, for us. It was erected in 1952 by the President of Ireland, in honour of the two women. We mozied around the grounds of the Abbey and cemetery for some time, then came together for Prayer. A local man working in the Cemetery told us of a mural in the town depicting the hanging of Fr Manus Sweeney in 1799.

Fortified by a lovely lunch, we started our journey home, calling first at Ballintubber Abbey, described by one in the group as Heavenly. We were blessed to meet Fr Frank Fahy, whom you could say, was Ballintubber. Then on to Ballinrobe, the place where the last of the Burrishoole nuns died, her name, Bee Walsh.

Here in Ballinrobe Parish Church, we viewed eight two light windows by Harry Clarke, the largest collection in Ireland. Just amazing what Harry achieved at such a young age. To think he died at 41 on his way back to Ireland, from Switzerland, where he was recuperating. The ‘Sixteen’, Dominican Family Members, so enjoyed the trip and thank the Dominican Ministry Fund for making it possible.

Catherine Campbell OP