Following many requests from people who attended the event, or who were unable to be there on the evening, we are delighted to share that the Pilgrim Mass at the historic Emlagh High Cross, held on Friday, July 25th, 2025, is now available to watch online.
The special Mass took place at the ancient Emlagh Cross, just outside Castlerea, and marked the launch of the new ‘Bóthar Bhrochaid’ pilgrim route, named after the patron saint of Emlagh, St. Brochaid, as part of the Jubilee 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope celebrations.
In a truly historic moment for the parish, Fr John McManus, Parish Priest, concelebrated the first Mass at the site in over 800 years alongside Fr Kevin Reynolds MHM, CC Castlerea, and Canon Liam Devine, Pastor Emeritus of Kilmurray.
The outdoor celebration drew together parishioners, pilgrims and visitors in a beautiful setting steeped in faith and history. Music on the evening added greatly to the atmosphere, with contributions from the Castlerea Parish Combined Choir, the Castlerea Brass and Reed Band, and Eugene Conlon on the bagpipes.
Organised by the Castlerea Parish Pastoral Council, the event was a powerful reminder of the deep heritage and spiritual traditions connected with the Emlagh area.
For anyone who would like to relive this special evening, or experience it for the first time, the full recording is now available to watch on the Castlerea Community YouTube channel.
👉 Watch it here:
https://youtu.be/fw-j0SS61Dk
The Pilgrim Mass at Emlagh Cross was a wonderful celebration of faith, community and the rich history that continues to shape Castlerea today.
