History
Shrine History
The Grotto in Monageer was blessed and dedicated to Our Lady on Ascension Thursday, 27th May 1965. Fr. John Murphy, who was appointed Parish Priest in Monageer in 1958, was instrumental in bringing this about. He got some local people together with a view of erecting a ‘roadside’ grotto.
Volunteer Group History
Monageer Parish Grotto Group was formed in May 2004 with the first meeting taking place on the grounds of the grotto. Only four people showed up on that first night but this did not deter the group who were determined to tidy up the overgrown areas around the shrine, car park and entrances.
William O’Brien Walk History
Over the years, the upper area of the three and a half acre site had become an established woodland. While there were grass tracks around some areas of the woodland, it wasn’t an easy task to navigate them as they were covered with bramble, were very uneven, and sometimes just stopped at animal dens. While volunteers cleared small areas from time to time, it was not a navigable path.
Sensory Walk History
Following the 50th Anniversary of the dedication of this Grotto and the official opening of the William O’Brien Woodland Walk in 2015, the need for a pathway joining the Shrine and car park areas to the woodland walk became apparent. What began as a plan to put in a simple path across the lawn very quickly gained momentum until it became the Sensory Walk you see today.
