Offaly launch for Jubilee of Hope in Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise

JANUARY 24th is a cherished date for the people of Lemanaghan parish.

For generations, pilgrims have gathered at the holy well on this day to honour St Manchan, a saint whose legacy has deeply influenced their faith and traditions. This year, the celebration carries special significance as it marks the launch of the Jubilee of Hope in the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise.

The Jubilee of Hope, declared by the Holy Father for 2025, is a sacred year of renewal and grace, celebrated every 25 years. With the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”, it invites Catholics worldwide to embark on a spiritual journey of faith and resilience. It is particularly fitting that St Manchan’s Church in Boher has been chosen to host the diocesan launch. Lemanaghan’s rich history of pilgrimage and devotion makes it the ideal location to begin this sacred journey. Pilgrimage remains alive and vibrant in the area, with the holy well at Lemanaghan continuing to attract visitors seeking spiritual renewal.

The day will begin with visits to the holy well in Lemanaghan, followed by a special Mass at 7pm in St Manchan’s Church, Boher, led by Bishop Paul Connell and Fr Brendan. Boher is home to the 12th-century Shrine of St Manchan, one of Ireland’s most treasured pieces of medieval ecclesiastical art. The shrine, a stunning reliquary containing the saint’s relics, serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring faith and craftsmanship of those who have come before us.

This Mass will celebrate the extraordinary life of St Manchan and officially inaugurate the Jubilee of Hope within the diocese. It is an opportunity for the faithful to reflect on their shared history, renew their commitment to faith, and embrace the theme of pilgrimage with hope for the future.

The Miraculous Cow: A Story of Generosity and Hope

Among the many tales associated with St Manchan, none is more beloved than the story of his miraculous cow. As recorded by Tomas O’Cleirigh in 1935, the story reflects the generosity of the saint and the unique traditions of Lemanaghan.

"That’s Leamanaghan, a quare kind of place, decent people, too, the best in the world, people who’d give you all the milk you could drink but wouldn’t sell a drop of it for all the gold in Ireland, and it’s all by raison of a cow, Saint Manchan’s cow."

The story tells of a wondrous cow that belonged to St. Manchan - a cow so remarkable that her milk nourished the entire countryside, given freely without charge. Her abundance became a symbol of the saint’s generosity and the community’s shared blessings.

However, envy struck among the people of neighboring Kilmanaghan, who plotted to steal the cow. While St Manchan was away, they seized their chance and drove the cow along the togher - a bog causeway - toward Kilmanaghan. The cow, sensing the theft, resisted fiercely, slipping on stones, lying down, and leaving marks on the togher that can still be seen today.

When St Manchan returned and discovered the theft, he followed the trail of hoof marks and arrived just as the cow was about to be boiled. Such were his powers that he miraculously healed the cow. Although left with a slight limp, the cow continued to produce milk, freely shared with the community. This remarkable tradition of generosity endures, with the people of Lemanaghan continuing to honour the saint’s values by neither selling milk nor engaging in dairy farming.

A Day to Celebrate Faith and Community

This year’s St Manchan’s Day is more than a commemoration of the saint’s life - it is a celebration of hope, unity, and spiritual renewal. The parish’s strong tradition of pilgrimage resonates deeply with the Jubilee’s theme, reminding all of the strength that comes from faith and community.

Following the Mass, the celebrations will continue at 9.30pm with a Social Night in Gussies, featuring live music by Drink Related and a raffle organised by the Lemanaghan Bog Heritage & Conservation Group.

This St Manchan’s Day, the people of Lemanaghan parish invite everyone to join them in this sacred celebration, to reflect on the values of hope and faith that St Manchan embodied, and to ensure his legacy lives on for generations to come. Whether at the holy well, the Mass, or the social gathering, this day is a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit of Lemanaghan and its role as a beacon of hope in the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise.