1943
War still continues, prayer for peace being said from the very beginning Sept. 1940.
People from parish very contented. No unemployment. Wages still high. Girls are working on bog with men and about to get 2 pounds per week footing turf. Even a boy of ten earned 2 pound ten shillings in a week backing out turf with his ass and cart.
Marriage rate higher than usual. Not so many going to the sacraments. No mission this year. We had a tridium in Meath Hill before the Centenary Celebrations on 17% August. Upwards of six hundred communions during the three days preceding. Had confessions on the Friday night. The men of the parish of Meath Hill cleaned grounds around the church, also brought poles from
Drumconrath to erect bunting in the precincts of church. Flags, bunting and scrolls added a festive appearance. In addition, the Local Defence Force (L.D.F.) turned out in uniform and gave the salute to my old school friend Dr. Arthur Ryan who preached after the High Mass in his own inimitable way. Fr Frank Connolly P.P. North Hallerton, England, only native of Meath Hill Parish was present as
also Fr. Bird Kingscourt, Fr. Gleeson P.P. Nobber, Fr. Conway P.P. Kilbeg, his C.C. Fr. Scanlon, Fr. Moran P.P, Castletown, Fr. John O’Reilly C.C. Lobinstown, Fr. P.J. Ryan C.C. Kildalkey,
Fr. John Irwin C.C. Athboy, both former C . C.’s here and F r Nangle P.P. Carnaross.
We got the beautiful cloth of gold dalmatic for High Mass from Fr. Nulty P.P, V.F. Drogheda. Rev. J. Meade deacon for Newtown and M.C. Fr. Herbert sang the mass and also he had prepared the choir six months previously.
Researched and Compiled by Kathleen McArdle, “Brookville”, Drumconrath. Source: Faith History of Drumconrath – Meath Hill.