Notes in the
Baptismal Register 1846-1855.
These
Notes were made by Fr.Holland, the Catholic
parish priest in Inchigeela, in 1855.
They describe the constant struggle to keep his
flock together in the face of famine. Many
were tempted to convert in exchange for food.
-
one convert. No
perverts.
- five families
became Apostates (abandoned their faith) in
number thirteen.
- a family
returned to the fold. Individuals three.
- four families
continued Apostate.
- four
continued in their error.
- four, the
same families remained, except the mothers
of the same families.
- three
families returned and did public penance.
- two families
persevered obstinate and one returned.
- one labourer
of the Minister is going to Church, with
three children, his wife going to Mass, not
to Sacraments.
- one parent is
sending three of her children to the
Protestant School, one of whom is taken into
the Minister's house as servant. The mother
of three illegitimate children nominally a
Catholic is sending the three to the
Protestant School, one of whom is a
Catholic, the two more belong to Protestant
fathers. The mother of these three children
together with the parents of the other
families were publicly denounced from the
Altar by the PP all in vain.
Inchigeelagh
Jeremiah Holland. PP.
30th.July 1855