More on Glencolmbcille and the church in Inver

We were  permitted to tour the inside of the church and items that would have been utilized by the Rev.Henry Carre were shown to us. What a gem of a lady!!  She then offered us the opportunity to visit the former rectory that is now owned privately and is in the process of being turned into "holiday lets".  The old Glencolumbcille rectory was quite close so we drove Ann to her lane way which was across the road from the old rectory.  The owner was in the yard and being as he knew Ann, was quite happy to let us wander and take photos. 

Present owner, the writer with the former Glencolumbcille rectory in the background.

The former Glencolumbcille rectory coach house

The former Glencolumbcille rectory

The walking pathway to the Glencolumbcille church is still evident

We left the old rectory and drove into the village, stopped and purchased fuel.  We left the village of Glencolumbcille for Inver where we were to meet Hazel Wilson who would show us around the church and the graveyard.  Before we went over the hill leaving the village behind we took one last look at the picturesque village.

We had expected that Inver was a village and that a sign to the church would have been very evident.  We were wrong and drove a few miles past.before stopping at a service station to ask directions.  After purchasing a map and discussing directions with a couple of people, one man stepped up and said he was going that way and would be happy to lead us.  Needless to say, that is the option we immediately took.  In a few minutes he had led us the the church and bid farewell.  We thanked him profusely and proceeded into the church graveyard and found the grave of the Rev. Henry Carre.  The grave also included Sarah Carre Obit 19 Jul 1850, aetas 9, Jane Inch Ob 22 Dec 1852 aet 78, Rev 

Henry Carre Ob 5 Apr 1870 aet 70, Charlotte Carre Ob 5 Apr 1870 aet 95, Elizabeth Jane Carre Ob 9 Nov 1886 aet 84, Mary Carre Ob 19 Jan 1893 aet 46, Charlotte Carre Ob 3 Dec 1903 aet 92, Fenwick Carre FRCSI Ob 3 Apr 1915 aet 69.  It is interesting to note here that the Rev. Fredrick Carre was made rector at Inver shortly after the Rev. Henry Carre's death.

     We were not here very long before a gentleman named William Wilson showed up (in lieu of Hazel Wilson).  He proceeded to show us around the church.  It is amazing to see this church after all the family lore about it.  We took pictures and found out that the clock in the tower was indeed made by the Rev. Henry T. Carre and is still in operating condition.  When I was going to take a picture of the clock workings, my camera battery ran out but enjoy the picture the writer was able to take.

 

The face of the clock fabricated by the Rev. Henry T. Carre and another note is that he is buried facing the clock face.

The Inver Carre gravesite

The writer and the plaque honouring the Rev. Henry T, Carre

The writer and the pulpit used by the Rev. Henry T. Carre

     After some time we talked with William Wilson and determined that this is a thriving congregation and that he would look into repairs to the Carre grave site which we discussed and let us know.  We bid farewell, thanked him for his time and trouble and departed for our B&B in the town of Donegal, namely, the Waters Edge.  

     We drove to the town and, being as it was late in the day, the town was bustling with traffic and pedestrians.  Again, we got lost and wound up asking directions of a couple tending their yard.  After a brief conversation the gentleman jumped in his truck (Company- Donegal Signs) and said, " Follow me."  We arrived at our B&B and were pleasantly surprised at the very scenic location, which is at the foot of Donegal Bay.  The B&B is right beside the ruins of Donegal Abbey (erected 1474 for the Franciscan friars by Red Hugh O'Donnell and his wife, Nuala.  It prospered for 150 years and produced important records of history called the Annals of the Four Masters.  After checking in, we went to dinner at our host's recommendation, to the Abbey Hotel in the dining room.  A marvelous meal and we could not even come close to eating it all.  Very good food!

     On Sunday, the 29th of June, we had planned to attend St, John the Evangelist Church in Inver but there was no service there, but only a combined parish service in Killaghtee.  Instead, we decided to attend the Donegal Parish Church in the town of Donegal.  We introduced ourselves to the rector as we were meeting him the very next day to discuss and possibly visit the church at Killymard just 5 miles outside of Donegal town.
     After the service, we toured the business section of the town of Donegal, including a large book store called The Four Masters Bookshop and Magee's, a clothing store for both men and women.  Extremely nice shops!!!!  Late in the afternoon we stopped and had "pub grub" for dinner at the Olde Castle Bar & Restaurant.  Very filling!  Arrived back at the B&B, had tea and to bed a little early as we are off to Letterkenny tomorrow after our meeting at the Donegal Rectory.
Monday, June 30, 2014
      We had a great breakfast, met a Canadian couple from BC that has been touring for 3 weeks and had a week left along with an American woman whose long time English friend was driving her around.  They were both teachers who became friends during an exchange programme and have both retired.  I left and headed out to to a photo shop to get my camera battery charged and then Magee's to meet with a manager there to arrange for some Donegal tweed.  While I was doing that, Denise was meeting with the rector of the Donegal Parish Church, Archdeacon David Ian Huss, at the rectory .  Archdeacon Huss is in charge of Killymard, Lough Eske, Laghey as well as the Donegal Parish Church.  Denise had the opportunity to look at the records of the Killymard church looking for her Elliott ancestors.  We have recently found out that her ancestors lived in the Killymard area before emigrating to Canada.  He was the town butcher so the expectation is that he would have known the Rev. Henry T.Carre whose church at Inver is about 6 miles outside of town.  It was disappointing not to find anything so the search continues. 
The rectory was given to the church some years ago by a parishioner so thus the prime location, grounds and home.

The Rev. David Ian Huss and Eric Carre at the Donegal ParishRectory

The view of the foot of Donegal Bay from the rectory

 

 

 

 

     We left the Town of Donegal sometime after 12:30 to head to our new B&B near Letterkenny.  We both commented that we really like the Town of Donegal and were sad to leave.  It is a place I would very much like to visit again.