A new Lourdes Grotto was officially unveiled in the garden of Newry Cathedral on Sunday afternoon, marking a significant enhancement to the historic site. The dedication ceremony was accompanied by a community picnic and musical performances in celebration of the new spiritual space.
The grotto, situated in the tranquil green area beside the cathedral, was donated and planted with flowers by the Burns family. The garden, long cherished by the community, has now been reopened as a place of reflection and prayer.
Parish Administrator Canon Francis Brown led the blessing of the grotto, joined by Fr Carlos Esteban Rojo and Deacon Anthony Moffett. Music during the celebration was provided by Carla Maney and the Cloughmore Male Voice Choir, contributing to the festive atmosphere under clear, sunny skies.
Canon Brown expressed deep gratitude to the many individuals who contributed to the project. “Many people have done much work, and we appreciate all that has been done to ensure this beautiful resource is available to the people of Newry,” he said. He praised the hours of labor invested into transforming the garden, which had been closed for a period but is now accessible once again for quiet moments of reflection.
He added, “The garden has been here long before any of us, and for many years it was beautiful. Now it is open once again for those who wish to sit and contemplate the beauty of nature, the grotto, and the cathedral — one of the most beautiful in Ireland.”
As part of the event, a new bench was unveiled at the grotto. The bench was donated by the Knights of St Columbanus, CK10 Branch Newry, in support of the project and in anticipation of the cathedral’s 200th anniversary in 2029. Supreme Knight Brother John Murphy, who was present at the unveiling, highlighted the importance of the cathedral as a community resource. “This is a glorious resource for the city,” he said. “Our work is to support our priests and parish, and this is a fine example.”
Canon Brown extended special thanks to the Knights for their ongoing support, noting their consistent contributions to parish life. “They always look for what they can do to enhance the life of this parish, and this donation is just one example of their commitment,” he said.
The cathedral garden is now open daily to the public, offering a peaceful space for visitors seeking calm and contemplation amidst the beauty of the historic grounds.
