Fr. Donnelly was born on this site. This is not the original house rather one which replaced the original Donnelly homestead. It is located in the downland of Kilnacreeva in the Parish of Laragh, Co. Cavan.
Above you can see a plaque placed on the house by some locals who are proud of their connection with Fr. Donnelly. As you can see the current house was built in 1904, 14 years after Fr. Donnelly’s death.
The previous 3 photos are of the site of the post penal Chapel in the downland of Knockateggart. It stood here from 1796 to 1821 and is probably where the young Bernard Donnelly went to worship with his parents John and Rose. The community erected this outdoor altar in the Great Jubilee Year 2000.
The above photo is of the present day St. Michael’s Church, Clifferna which was erected in 1821 (8 years before Catholic emancipation), it celebrates it’s bicentennial this year, Fr. Donnelly was 11 years old when it was built, perhaps he was one of the first to worship there. It was totally restored in 2006. Below the cross on the facade on the right hand side you can see the original foundation stone from the post-penal church in Knockateggart.
Above is a detail of new stained glass window of St. Michael.
Above is a view of the sanctuary of St. Michael's.
Above is another view of the sanctuary of St. Michael's.
