Community celebration as Callan Friary officially handed over to the local community by Augustinian Order

Twenty two years since the Augustinian Order left Callan the community came together, yesterday (Wednesday) to mark the official handover of the building to Kilkenny County Council.

Prior Provincial of the Augustinian Order, Fr Tony Egan OSA, said his hope is that the building will become a vibrant centre for the people of Callan, in the future.

He was joined in Callan by Fr Michael Mernagh, a Glenmore native and the Augustinian priest who helped set up the trust that looked after the building for the last 22 years.

When the Order decided to leave Callan, in 2021, it was with the intention of handing over the building to the people of Callan for their use and benefit. He paid tribute to all those who played a part in the property trust over the years.

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Fr Mernagh shared some of what he has learned over those years, from his work with the Trust. He encouraged people to be innovative, and accept they will sometimes fail. He also said 'learn from your mistakes.' Work in partnership, he told those gathered, neither the local people or the local authority can do it alone.

Respect everyone, agree to disagree, Fr Mernagh added, and don't forget to praise yourselves for a job well done.

Director of Services with Kilkenny County Council, Mary Mulholland, thanked all who worked with the Trust over 20 years, said she looked forward to working with the community including the Callan Town Team, and had a special word of thanks for Carmel Brett in the Callan Area Office for all her support work.

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On behalf of the Trust, Jimmy Brett said he was 'flabbergasted' by the quality of people involved. The group of professionals brought real value to the Trust. He said we are living in a time of government commitment to rural development and generations to come will enjoy the benefits of the Callan Friary Project.

On a day a booklet on the history of the friary was distributed to the community members gathered. This has been produced by the members of Callan Heritage Society and tell the story of the Augustinian Order's links with the town, going back to 1471. Read more from the events of the day, with lots more photographs, in next week's Kilkenny People newspaper.