More than three centuries of an unbroken religious presence will come to a close in east Galway, with the departure of the Redemptorist Order from their monastery near Athenry
Today marks the end of the annual Novena there and the conclusion of a tradition that stretches back to the late seventeenth century.
As he waited to greet worshipers following the 10am service this morning, Fr Seamus Devitt recalled the role Esker had played in the lives of thousands of people over the generations. The Provincial of the Redemptorist Order, Fr Dan Baragry, said it was a day laden with emotion. He explained how the decision to cease operations had been very difficult.
The remaining residents in the monastery will move to other communities in Dublin, Limerick and Belfast over the coming weeks.