Mass at Fr Mackey Blessed Well

The annual Mass at Fr Mackey’s Blessed Well in Castleiney took place last Friday night, June 26. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Dominic Meehan and some beautiful music was provided by Jimmy O’Sullivan on the accordion. The Mass was well attended and the nice weather added to the occasion.

Fr Mackey was a native of Aughall, Castleiney and was ordained in Maynooth in 1831. He served as CC in many parishes before his final appointment as Parish Priest of Ballylanders from 1872 to 1879. On his retirement he came back to live with his family in Aughall. He died in 1891 and was buried in Templemore.

In Castleiney he was regarded as a wonder worker, and the well in Ballinlassa was venerated as a Holy Well and is renowned for its cure of eye diseases. Many people have been cured of various ailments after a visit to this Holy Well.

The well was beautifully restored in 2018.