Mission Blog #46

 The Rock of Cashel

The Rock of Cashel was the traditional seat of the kings of Munster for several hundred years prior to the Norman invasion. In 1101 the King of Munster donated his fortress on the Rock to the Church. The buildings now visible on the Rock are not of a castle, but rather, structures of worship or to support those living a monastic life. 

When we arrived, on our way to Dublin for the All-Ireland Zone Conference, a downpour began, good old Irish Sunshine. But, within minutes, the sun shone and we enjoyed wonderful views of the town of Cashel, and the lush farmlands supporting cattle and sheep, miles in every direction.

The Cathedral built between 1235 and 1270 has lost its wood roof. At a point in time, the ecclesiastical leaders determined to move their center of worship down into the town. The wood roof was removed, and re-assembled as the roof of the St John the Baptist church in Cashel.

In 1647 during the Irish Confederate Wars, Cashel was sacked by the English Parliamentarian troops. The Irish Confederate troops there were massacred, as were the Catholic clergy - about 1,000 lost their lives on the Rock. 

Cormac's Chapel

The chapel of King Cormac Mac Carthaigh at Cashel Rock, was begun in 1127 and consecrated in 1134. It contains many interesting features, including the best-preserved Irish frescoes from this time period; and the oldest stairs in Ireland. 

The chapel was built of sandstone which in the Irish climate, isn't ideal - much restoration and preservation work has been done, to enclose the chapel in a rain-proof structure with interior dehumidifiers to dry out the stone.

The tomb you see sits at one end of the chapel, but originally lay outside the chapel. It was subject to erosion and vandalism, so it was decided that it would be brought inside. You can see the wall section behind it that is different than the stonework beside it. This was a section that was removed in order to bring it into the chapel, as the existing doorways were not large enough.

The round tower dates from approximately 1100 AD. We were told by the tour guide that there are approximately 1,000 such round towers scattered around Ireland, perhaps not as well-preserved. The towers were located and built 35 to 50 metres in height so that travelers could spot them and know that there they could find a warm welcome and safety.

This tower is just under 30 metres in height, lower than most, but because it is on top of the Rock, it can be seen from many miles.

The Rock of Cashel gave us great insights into the history - our tour guide was outstanding.

Queen Elizabeth visited the Rock of Cashel during her 2011 visit to Ireland. 

The views from the Rock of Cashel are amazing - the My Altitude app on my phone said that we were at about 440 ft altitude. Our flat in Cork is 76 ft.

Dairy cattle, and sheep is all we could see on this side from the rock - town of Cashel is the view from the opposite.

Among the many grave markers are many high crosses. One of the most famous high crosses here was the Scully Cross, constructed in 1860. It was destroyed in 1976 when lightning struck a metal rod that ran the length of the cross. (Makes me think of the Scully family we know from Edmonton).

Elder Truman bracing against the rain, before the sunny skies broke out.

The building across was home to the vicars choral - laymen appointed to assist in chanting the cathedral services. There were originally eight, with their own seal. They were given comfortable quarters, and one individual to assist them.

Zone Conference

Elder and Sister Evenson have become great friends, beginning prior to our leaving for Ireland. They travel the furthest to attend Zone Conference in Dublin, coming from Tralee, a beautiful town on the Dingle Peninsula. Each Zone Conference they travel about 4 hrs, so rather than leaving at 5am in the morning, they began staying in a hotel just outside Dublin, the Leixslip Manor House & Gardens. When we moved to Cork, we likewise arranged to stay there - large rooms, and quiet atmosphere in the country, and cheaper than anything in the city of Dublin. 30 minutes from the Finglas chapel where we hold our meetings.

We check-in, then go to our favorite spot for dinner, then come back and take a walk or just visit. The Evenson's finish their 18 month mission on August 26th so this Zone Conference was their last in Ireland. A daughter is meeting up with them and they'll be traveling Europe for a few weeks before going home to Utah. Louise is from Windsor, Ontario and met Ray when they both attended BYU. Ray was trying to phone someone else but dialed the wrong number and got Louise instead - and here they are still together after 50+ years.

The Coltons are pretty amazing people. This mission is their 4th. They served twice in Russia, once in South Korea, and now in Ireland. They currently live in Omagh, Northern Ireland. Last week they were involved in a car accident. A young driver (on the way to a funeral) ran a red light and they were fortunate to not be seriously injured. The silver lining is they were given keys to a new mission car that they can drive for the balance of their mission. Last winter, Elder Colton fell while walking on the rocks at Giants Causeway and broke 9 ribs. The recent car accident has brought back some of the pain from his fall. He still attends physiotherapy weekly.

These are people that we admire so much - for their wisdom, their dedication, and their testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

About 70 missionaries attend our Zone Conference and our key focus on the day is to prepare the meal to feed them. Sister McCrudden decides the menu a couple weeks ahead, then the Senior couples work out the assignments for the rest. On the Finglas church property is a wee house where President & Sister McCrudden stay for each Ireland Zone Conference, and some of the main menu is prepared there by Sister McCrudden. 

The man on the left is from the Facilities Management office and he was doing some building maintenance inspection so we invited him to join us. The man standing is President Dayholis (counselor in the Mission Presidency), and President and Sister McCrudden are seated next. President Dayholis, about 45 years previous, as a young missionary helped teach President James McCrudden the gospel of Jesus Christ. This was in Belfast. After his mission in Ireland he returned and married an Irish girl and they have made a wonderful life in Belfast and have remained closest friends with the McCruddens.

Some background on our Mission President; when President McCrudden joined the Church as an 18 yr old, his father packed his suitcases and put them on the front porch and said for him to leave. President McCrudden courageously followed his convictions, joined the Church, served an honorable mission to Washington state, came home and married Sister McCrudden who helped thaw the chilled relationships with her in-laws. President became a fireman, then had a career as a police officer during very difficult times in Northern Ireland. A former Bishop, Stake President, and now Mission President. It's hard not to love and admire these dedicated leaders. They have given so much, and served others for so long. Leaving their comforts again, they are 2 years completed of 3 years and leading 160 missionaries in the Scotland-Ireland Mission. 

In Zone Conference Pres. McCrudden was emphasising the dress standards for Elders - had me stand and he said that my grey suit with subtle blue check striping was just like 'an Elder Ballard suit' - a certain friend has pointed out to me since that he knows Elder Ballard and that I am 'no Elder Ballard' (one of the 12 apostles)....but I at least know that I can dress like him.

The suit will forever be known as the Elder Ballard suit.

Elder Siebke, one of the best who we have known since we arrived in Ireland, is now one of the Assistants to the President. His love of the gospel is unquestionable, as is his love of people. He is loved by everyone, including us.

Elders Giugarelli and Mallardi (from Italy), and Elders Caswell and Coffman from Utah, grabbing some missionary supplies to take back to their areas - Limerick, and Waterford. 

One of the brand new mission vehicles, 2023 Hyundai i30 Hybrid hatchbacks. Woo hoo!

One of the great things that we have found along the major motorways in Ireland, which we have also seen in the U.K., are rest stops with food halls with many different vendors, and with petrol filling stations, and bathroom facilities. Once we got out of the buzz of Dublin and down the motorway an hour or so, we took advantage of this great place for a pit stop.

Tina has become very good friends with Claudia Hanley. Last week they did a few errands then went to Blackrock Castle Cafe for lunch. 

Built 4 centuries ago (1582) as a castellated fortification located at Blackrock, about 2kms from Cork city centre on the banks of the River Lee. The Castle is the oldest surviving structure still in use in the city of Cork. It served as an Admiralty Court, a lighthouse, a signalling station and a gun battery, defending the river approach to Cork. The site now houses an observatory, visitor centre and restaurant.

This week, their outing was to shop - and Claudia is a star shopper. Claudia is from Brazil and attends our weekly English class, a real delight.

Another friend we have made is Jason Peters. He lives at home with a couple of brothers, out in the countryside. He assists us in our English class each Tuesday and is alot of fun to be around. We joined him for a pizza meal - which we made together, then followed by playing a new game for him - and he won. Rematch coming! 

We recognize that no matter who you are, it's good to have a friend, so we're being that for Jason. His younger brother Dean came home from work and we had a great conversation with him - he's taking engineering classes; we talked about some of my past experience in pipeline construction, maintenance, and risk management; he loved hearing about X70 steel, automated welding, investigative digs, pigging, burst tests, blast radiuses, etc. Tina's eyes were twitching after a bit of that. We'll come back to talk more with Dean another time. 

One indicator of knowing if you attend a great Branch or Ward in the Church is in how it comes together to help others. The Ababon family miraculously found an amazing home to rent, and with very short notice, about 20 church members and missionaries came to help them move out of their little terraced home. I think we visited in the parking lot longer than it took to haul out the contents and load the vehicles. 

Kara, the Branch President's wife, brought fruit, water bottles, cakes - it was wonderful. Then off we went for the drive to the new home, about 5km's away, the final .5km a steep steep climb on a single lane road.

By the time we got up the hill behind the lead vehicles, all the unloading was almost done. But what a home. The sun was shining and we could look south from their new property out to the other side of the valley, centuries old trees giving shade and wind protection.

I see a church barbecue in the near future here!!

Best part of their new rental home is that the owner has a contract with a landscape firm to mow the large lawn and trim the hedges and bushes.

Another great week - although we were remiss in remembering the birthday of a beloved family member, on the big day. Sorry James. You and Lorraine and family have been so kind to us, and have hosted us many times; and visited us in Dundalk twice. We love you and hope we'll have many more opportunities to be together.

Our new friends, the Roth family, attended church once again today, and seeing the 15 yr old son, John, in a brand new Sunday suit was amazing. In Sunday School class, Brian answered the first question from the teacher - 'who can tell me something about Paul'? Brian just gave an amazing answer. We had another new face come to our meetings today, Lucy, from Africa. Her husband is a church member but she is not. Tina sat with her through the meetings - Lucy was smiling like an Osmond all church.

And, for one member of our Branch, it was a very special week. Santhosh Prasad's wife and two boys arrived from India, after two years of Santhosh living here on his own. What a family - 2 beautiful little boys, Seraphim, and Cherubim...angels of course. Smitha is adjusting to the 'cold' here; 18-20C is a far cry from the 35C in India. But, she'll adjust and she'll love Ireland.

We are getting very excited to be hosting my sister, Jayna, from Dallas, TX and our youngest daughter Michelle who lives in England, later in August. In the meantime, we hope that you and yours will feel our Heavenly Father's love for you. May you find peace and hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

God bless.

   Elder Eric & Sister Tina McMurray

   Scotland-Ireland Mission