Immaculate Conception Glenshesk
Ballycastle County Antrim
BT54 6QF
Who we are
Immaculate Conception Glenshesk welcomes Christians and those who seek to connect to Christianity in the Ballycastle area.
We aim to make contact with and encourage others to join us in our life-changing Christian journey.
We are a friendly Christian community where we welcome others to join us in our worship and service to God.
Our vision is to make an impact for God, here in Ballycastle, County Antrim by helping people understand the enriching messages of eternal hope given to us by Jesus Christ through His words and deeds.
Everyone is welcome, no matter your age, beliefs, or background. Come just as you are - we'd love to get to know you better.
We aim to make contact with and encourage others to join us in our life-changing Christian journey.
We are a friendly Christian community where we welcome others to join us in our worship and service to God.
Our vision is to make an impact for God, here in Ballycastle, County Antrim by helping people understand the enriching messages of eternal hope given to us by Jesus Christ through His words and deeds.
Everyone is welcome, no matter your age, beliefs, or background. Come just as you are - we'd love to get to know you better.
Church Website
Leadership
Leader Name:
Fr Hugh O'Kane
Leader Position:
Parish Priest
Phone:
Leader Email:
Click here to contact Fr Hugh O'Kane
Other Church Leaders:
Fr Barney McCahery
Administration
Admin Name:
Jennifer McBride
Admin Position:
Parish Secretary
Phone:
Admin Email:
Click here to contact Jennifer McBride
Immaculate Conception Glenshesk Mass Times
Sunday 09:00 AM
It's been more than 6 years since the last mass times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm mass times.
Please contact the church to confirm Mass Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
It's been more than 6 years since the last mass times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm mass times.
Please contact the church to confirm Mass Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Immaculate Conception Glenshesk History
The struggle to get a Catholic Church
Early in the seventeenth century the leader of the MacDonnell clan was Randal. Although he had fought with the O'Neill as a rebel for some years, in 1602 he deserted the lost cause of the O’Neill’s and became reconciled with the Government. He received the honour of knighthood and became the owner of vast estates stretching from Coleraine to Larne. Later he was created Viscount Dunluce and ultimately became first Earl of Antrim. Read more... Ballycastle becomes a parish again
By 1825 the Catholics of Ballycastle thought that their town and surrounding area was large enough to become a parish in its own right, separate from the Parish of Armoy, of which it had been part for many years. They decided to approach Dr Crolly, Bishop of the Diocese of Down and Connor, when next he came to Ballycastle, presumably for Confirmation.
The McGildowneys were a very famous family in Ballycastle, although Edmund McGildowney was the only who was a Catholic. He invited the Bishop and some of the important Catholics of Ballycastle to his house for lunch. His house is now part of the Marine Hotel at the foot of the Quay Road. The rest of the McGildowney’s resided at Clare Park House, to the North of the town. New School
In 1853 Father James McGlennon built a school beside the chapel at Fairhill. The application to the Commissioners for Grant Aid gives the details of the building:
New Site
By 1870 the chapel at the Fairhill was too small for the congregation. The parish priest. Father Patrick McAlister, who had succeeded Father McGlennon in 1862, began looking for a decent-sized site for a new church at what is now called Moyle Road.
He obtained from Mrs Boyd, the widow of Hugh Boyd, the deceased landlord of Ballycastle, five acres of ground on a very fine site on what was then known as Clare Road. Father McAlister sent a letter of thanks to the editor of “The Northern Whig”:
Early in the seventeenth century the leader of the MacDonnell clan was Randal. Although he had fought with the O'Neill as a rebel for some years, in 1602 he deserted the lost cause of the O’Neill’s and became reconciled with the Government. He received the honour of knighthood and became the owner of vast estates stretching from Coleraine to Larne. Later he was created Viscount Dunluce and ultimately became first Earl of Antrim. Read more... Ballycastle becomes a parish again
By 1825 the Catholics of Ballycastle thought that their town and surrounding area was large enough to become a parish in its own right, separate from the Parish of Armoy, of which it had been part for many years. They decided to approach Dr Crolly, Bishop of the Diocese of Down and Connor, when next he came to Ballycastle, presumably for Confirmation.
The McGildowneys were a very famous family in Ballycastle, although Edmund McGildowney was the only who was a Catholic. He invited the Bishop and some of the important Catholics of Ballycastle to his house for lunch. His house is now part of the Marine Hotel at the foot of the Quay Road. The rest of the McGildowney’s resided at Clare Park House, to the North of the town. New School
By 1870 the chapel at the Fairhill was too small for the congregation. The parish priest. Father Patrick McAlister, who had succeeded Father McGlennon in 1862, began looking for a decent-sized site for a new church at what is now called Moyle Road.
He obtained from Mrs Boyd, the widow of Hugh Boyd, the deceased landlord of Ballycastle, five acres of ground on a very fine site on what was then known as Clare Road. Father McAlister sent a letter of thanks to the editor of “The Northern Whig”:
Accept, O Lord
Accept, O Lord, my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding and my will. All that I am and have thou hast given to me; and I give all back to thee to be disposed of according to they good pleasure. Give me only the comfort of thy presence and the joy of thy love; with thee I shall be more than rich and shall desire nothing more.
Immaculate Conception Glenshesk listing was last updated on the 7th of November, 2017
