It is said that Youghal is the second oldest town in Ireland, after Kinsale.  That’s as may or may not be, but it is certainly true that the Corpus Christi Procession in Youghal is the oldest and longest running in the country.   This is something of which the local people are obviously very proud and, on Sunday last  the Feast of Corpus Christi, the people of Youghal did not come out to line the streets during the Procession.   No!  But the people did come out in their hundreds to walk the streets of their town to accompany the Monstrance, the Body of Christ through Youghal. Denise FitzGerald Reports | Photos: Michael Hussey-YoughaOnline.com and Kevin Power | Audio of Youghal Parish Choir courtesy of Community Radio Youghal www.youghalradio.com

The sun shone brightly on the Gardens of St. Mary Collegiate College, where chairs had been set out to facilitate the huge numbers of people who gathered there for 12.00 noon Mass.   The congregation was made up of all ages, from babies in prams to those more elderly who needed help, teenagers, men, women and children. The Choir were there to sing during the entire service, and during the Procession took place through the town, a very efficient loudspeaker system was in place so that those walking could sing with the Choir.

The 2009 Corpus Christi Procession was led this year by the local boys and girls Communicants, all of whom behaved beautifully and were obviously delighted to be part of this wonderful ceremony.   The Clergy, with the Monstrance held high, received a Guard of Honour from the gates of the Gardens, through the town, and back again to the Gardens.   Members of the local Cork Hill Pipe Band stood respectfully and played their music as the Procession commenced.   The Procession, which took the route down the back streets and up the main street, was a most profound display of faith and love from the people of Youghal,  for the Body of Christ.

Not so many years ago, only men and young boys could take part in the Eucharistic Processions in Ireland, and women were prohibited from taking part, but it was the tradition that the women and girls would line the streets to encourage their men folk.   It was a sombre, silent Procession with the men all wearing their best suits which were mostly black or dark brown.   The men walked with their Parish and the children were kept quiet as the Procession passed.

In Youghal on Sunday last, nothing could be further from this scenario.   It must be said that the reverence, respect, honour and love shown by all to the Monstrance was humbling.   It demonstrated the huge faith of the people, and their joy at walking with their God.   And people came from all over the town and surrounds to do just that.   Men and women, children, the elderly, the teenagers all walked respectfully but with great joy.   The Rosary was heard over the loudspeakers, called and answered from the streets.  The Choir sang, and so did the people.   The entire town, back and front streets, resounded with the glory of the occasion.   Moms pushed their children in buggies, and those elderly unable to walk themselves had plenty of offers to push them in their wheelchairs behind the Monstrance.

East Cork Journal, who was present on the occasion, was truly humbled at the turnout of such a huge number of all sorts of people who took such great pleasure to be exactly where they were on the day.   The footpaths on either side of both the back streets and the main street were virtually empty – because the people of Youghal did not want just to watch the Procession – they wanted to be part of it.   And they were part of what is not just the oldest and longest running Corpus Christi Procession in Ireland, they were also  part of a Ceremony to honour and exalt their Lord as He was carried through the streets of their town.
Click on image to see the oldest and longest running Corpus Christi Procession in Ireland

Philip Sheppard wrote to YoughalOnline and asked ‘I am carrying out historical research and am interested in the Youghal Corpus Christi Procession as being Ireland’s oldest procession dating from 1898. I would greatly appreciate any’ Many thanks

Hi Philip
Re your query on Youghals Corpus Christi Procession as being Ireland’s oldest procession dating back to 1898.
In a letter to me by Fr. Bernard Cotter SMA (Native of Youghal) he confirmed the facts about the origin and date of the first Eucharist Procession in Youghal excerpts read as follows……… ‘I have succeeded in locating an article in my files about Dean Keller, a former Parish Priest of Youghal. He was the person who obtained Papal permission for the holding of the first Corpus Christi Procession in our hometown. That was in the year 1898.
Dean Keller visited Italy in 1896, for the beatification of Blessed Thadeus McCarthy. It was during that visit that Dean Keller was received in audience by the Pope and received the permission to hold the Eucharistic Procession. On his return from Rome it would have taken him some time to organise the event. Hence it was 1898 before they were ready to process.
In 1998 – as I have verified from an old diary-I was given the privilege of carrying the Monstrance in that Centenary Procession, as our then Parish Priest, Dean Thornhill, thought it would be good for a local priest to do the necessary. Enclosed herewith is a copy of an article that appeared in “Ireland’s Own” magazine which you might find of interest’…………
[Excerpt from relevant article in "Ireland's Own" magazine (Nov. 17-2006) on Monsignor Daniel Keller, The People's Priest by Maurice Aherne]………..In September 1896, he accompanied a party of Bishops and Priests to Ivrea, Turin, for the beatification of a former Bishop of Cloyne- Thadeus McCarthy. Whilst there he sought, and was granted, an audience with Pope Leo XIII, who had condemned the Plan of Campaign. He left an enlightened Pope with a Special Papal Blessing for ‘The Plan of Campaign’ stalwart, Maurice Doyle, who had spent seven months in jail for his beliefs. That was not all he brought back from Rome. He also obtained Papal permission to hold the Eucharist Procession in Youghal on Corpus Christi and the very first one ever held in Ireland was held in Youghal……….
I hope this is helpful in your research
All the best
Michael Hussey
Editor
YoughalOnline.com