The present church was built in 1816. Fr James Hore was the first curate of Kilmore parish, according the existing records. He was a very active man in the few years he was in the parish as he built the churches in Tomhaggard (1813) and Mulrankin (1816). Some years later he became parish priest of Oulart (1823).

In 1911 Fr John Rowe was transferred from Kilmore Quay to Mulrankin. Being a man who wanted to develop the curacy he immediately set about doing some work.

Part of his mission was to have a bell ringing for Mass and funerals in Mulrankin and Tomhaggard. In a short space of time he had the belfries and bells erected in both churches.

Both bells ere automated on December 18th 1999, just in time for the Tomhaggard bell to ring in the new Millennium. They can be heard for all Masses and funerals and for the Angelus at 12 noon and 6 p.m. each day.

One part of Catholic Church celebrations is community and choir singing, which gives the occasion a welcome uplift. To help in this area a church organ is a valuable asset. In many churches the organ is a huge musical instrument, which tends to be an a gallery and so is seldom seen by most of the congregation.

St. David's Catholic Church in Mulrankin has a supreme example of the old-style organ. Dating back to the year 1917, this wind assisted organ has given many years of service to the church and the community. It was built by the renowned organ builders, Alex Chestnutt from Waterford. It contains up to 2,500 pipes and was paid for by donations from the local community. In recent years an electric motor was installed - which cuts down the effort to get it to play and also eliminates the pump noise!

The Stations of the Cross were donated by Michael Doyle, Churchtown, who died on 20 December 2003. RIP.

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Mulrankin Grotto and Our Lady's 'Crown Jewels'

In 1949 two projects, the erection of the grotto at Mulrankin and its "crown of jewels", were undertaken by the dynamic curate, Father Paddy Doyle, who left so many monuments to his achievements during his years in Mulrankin - Tomhaggard. In his own persuasive way, Fr. Doyle rallied the men and women of the curacy to carry out these ventures by their voluntary work in the Summer evenings.[ Click on picture for large image]

The Mulrankin grotto was erected in 1949 and was blessed in an impressive ceremony on Sunday, 9th October of that year. Over 1,000 people attended and the area around the grotto and church was decorated with papal and national flags. The ceremony began with a procession through the church grounds, accompanied by hymn singing under the direction of Peter Roche, Harpoonstown, and the music of the Tenacre Piper Band.

The solemn blessing of the grotto was performed by Archdeacon James Canon Furlong, parish priest of Kilmore, assisted by Fr. Doyle, Fr. Michael Sinnott, Kilmore Quay and Fr. John O'Connor, Terrerath. A special sermon was preached by Fr. Walter Cullen, chaplain of Ely Nursing Home, Wexford. This memorable day in the life of Mulrankin concluded with the playing of Faith of Our Fathers by the Tenacre Pipers and Bargy Radio Bands.

The following year (1950), Fr. Doyle conceived the idea of a crown for the statue that would be worthy of the honour and devotion in which he held Our Lady. He came up with the novel plan of inviting the ladies of Mulrankin - Tomhaggard to donate items of personal jewellery to be made into- a crown. In a spontaneous and generous response, a variety of necklaces, engagement rings, watch chains and other such items were contributed.

Fr. Doyle submitted these to an expert jeweller and the result was an exquisitely executed coronet with the following jewels inset on a nimbus of platinum, the first seven taken from gold rings with shanks removed: synthetic ruby, paste green stone and pearl, three stone turquoise, five stone diamond, three stone garnet and pearl, seven stone ruby and diamond, five stone opal and diamond; also pearl bangle with back removed, carbuncle brooch with back removed, peridot and pearl star brooch with back removed, amethyst cross with back removed, part of gold bracelet and two shield discs on back. The crown was last valued for insurance purposes in 1978 at £700. [Click for large image]

Next came the coronation ceremony when the crown was placed on the statue of Our Lady on the first anniversary of the blessing or the Mulrankin grotto. This was another memorable and edifying occasion.

Three schoolgirls - Bridie Sinnott, Harpoonstown; Lily Kehoe and Bernadette Whitty, Mulrankin, carried the crown on a blue velvet cushion, in procession, from the church to the grotto. The choir sang the Lourdes hymn and other hymns to Our Lady The crown was blessed by Archdeacon Furlong and was placed on the statue by Fr. Michael Sinnott, Kilmore Quay.

When the procession returned to the church, an eloquent sermon was preached by Very Rev. James Sinnott, P.P., Tagoat. He dwelt on the beautiful little ceremony which had just taken place and reminded the congregation that a crown of glory would be theirs if they were faithful to Almighty God, His Blessed Mother and Holy Church. He referred to the grand old practice of reciting the family rosary and urged that it be said in every house in the parish some time during the evening. A congregation which overflowed into the church grounds listened to the sermon relayed to them by loudspeakers.

It was Fr. Doyle's intention that the crown would be placed' on the statue on the special feast days of Our Lady. Whenever this was done it was guarded by local men.

In recent years the grotto has been renovated - a waterfall and floodlighting being some of the new additions, which transform the grotto, especially at night time.

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