Church of the Immaculate Conception
Balheary
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The present church in Balheary was started in 1868 and the foundation was laid in November 1869 by Dr Grimley, Bishop of Capetown. Prior to this, there was a thatched church on the site and previous to that a much older thatched church existed along the Skidoo road. The church was in the parish of Swords. Fr John Carey (P.P. Swords 1806-1859) decided to close the church. But the people of Balheary petitioned Archbishop Mrurray to re-open it. The parish priest of Donabate, Fr John Mc Carthy (1849-1869), agreed to build the church and take the area into the parish of Donabate if he was given a curate. And so Donabate got its first curate, Fr Ambrose Mc Garry. The church was dedicated by Cardinal Cullen in 1873.
In 1900, Fr Duff P.P. Donabate and Fr Nolan P.P. Garristown died. Fr Hanley, one time C.C. in Rolestown, was recalled from Leixslip and made temporary Administrator of Rolestown and Balheary. An effort to build a priest's house near Balheary Church failed and after a year Fr Hanley was transferred as c.c. Lucan. Balheary then reverted yet again as a chapel of ease to Donabate under Fr Magill P.P. and Rolestown with Garristown under Fr Wade P.P.
Today, Balheary is a small tightly knit rural community.
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The Road to Balheary Church |
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