The Church of the Ascension, Gurranabraher
Capuchin Presbytery
Gurranabraher
CORK.
Tel: 021-4303655 / 021-4303606
Fax: 021-4303658
Gurranabraher translates literally as "The Grove of the Brothers" and it is thought that the name is connected with the old Franciscan monastery in Cork which was situated in the North Mall, near the North Gate Bridge. The parish is situated on a hill in the northern suburbs of Cork City. It had previously been part of the Cathedral Parish until 1969 when Bishop Lucey with 'the approval of the Cathedral Chapter decided on a division of the Cathedral Parish and the erection of a new Parish to be known as the Parish of Gurranabraher'. It already had a church because the Church of the Ascension, the first of the Rosary of Churches, had been opened and blessed by Bishop Lucey himself on 19 May, 1955 - Ascension Thursday.
The parish of Gurranabraher consists of about 1,650 households, yielding a population of approximately 6,000 people. A splendid parish hall, built by the parishoners themselves alongside the late Canon Horgan (who pioneered most of the pastoral activities in the parish) affords facilities for a range of courses run by Fas, as well as providing recreational and social amenities for the whole parish.
There is a fine Corporation Swimming Pool beside the Parochial Hall and an all-weather soccor facility available for 5-aside and the like. There are also two excellent GAA clubs within walking distance and five different soccer clubs in the parish: St. Mary's, Castleview, Temple United, Red City and Central Rovers.
The Presentation Sisters came to work in the parish in August 1982 and The Presentation Brothers have a foundation - St. Joseph's - which goes back to the end of the last century (1894). St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, in which the friars minister as chaplains is also within the parish bounds.
If you would like more information on the Capuchin way of life, please contact:
Br. John Manley, OFM Cap.,
Capuchin Presbytery
Gurranabraher
Cork. Tel. 021-4303655 / 021-4303606 |