Following Mass and the Blessing of Graves at the site of Gubalaun (St Maedhog’s) Abbey in Rossinver, Co. Leitrim, on Sunday 3 August last, a large number of people travelled the short distance to St Aidan’s Church in Ballaghameehan, where  Bishop Martin Hayes blessed a statue of Blessed Charles Meehan O.F.M. and unveiled a plaque in his memory.  Bishop Martin was assisted by Fr John Sexton, Administrator of the Parish of Ballaghameehan-Kiltyclogher.  Philip Rooney from the Rossinver Youth Project welcomed all present.  Refreshments were served afterwards in the local Community Centre.

Blessed Charles was born in the parish of Ballaghameehan around the year 1645.  He joined the Franciscan Order and studied in Louvain before he was ordained in 1671.  He taught in St Isidore’s College in Rome before attempting to return to Ireland in June 1678.  He was shipwrecked in a storm off the coast of England.  He was subsequently arrested and imprisoned in Denbigh in Wales on suspicion of being a Popish priest.  At his trial in April 1679, he stated that he was a priest, that he wished to be a good priest, and would die for it.  Having been convicted of treason, he was hanged, drawn and quartered in Ruthlin, North Wales, on 12 August 1679.  He was beatified by Pope St John Paul II on the Solemnity of Christ the King, 22 November 1987 at a ceremony in Rome.  His feast day is celebrated annually on 4 May, along with other English and Welsh Martyrs.

Blessed Charles Meehan, pray for us