70th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CROSS  ON KNOCKFIERNA HILL


The cross on Knockfierna Hill was built in 1950 to commemorate the holy year. It was constructed by local volunteers from the parish of Granagh and Ballingarry.
A committee was formed and one person from each household was invited to volunteer. It took the month of November to complete, which was all done by manual labour. First the foundation had to be dug 8ft deep with a pick and shovel. All the material had to be brought to the base of the hill by tractor and trailer. It was then loaded onto a type of sleigh that was pulled by a horse. This sleigh was made by local blacksmiths with two shafts so it could be pulled by a horse.

Credit due
All the material needed had to be pulled up the hill in small loads so the horse could pull it. Once the foundation was dug a concreate base was poured mixed with shovels of equal size so the ratio of cement to gravel could be measured. Steel reinforcing bars had to come up out of the foundation in the shape of the cross. The scaffolding was erected around the steel then the timber shuttering had to clamped, propped and plumed. When all that was done it was ready for concrete. Credit has to be given to all involved for the many hours of hard work at the top of the hill in winter conditions.

Cross electrified
In 1952 which was called the Marion year the cross was electrified. The holes for the poles were dug manually by local voluntary labour also the poles were pulled up the hill with horse owned by local famers. Then the ESB electrified the cross.
Knockfierna Heritage Society would like to thank the ESB for helping to get the lights working again after all these years, also the local land owner and electrician. Knockfierna Heritage Society is made up of a very small number of members who are mostly pensioners. We welcome new members to our group so they can help us to improve this commonage hill so everyone can enjoy the place. A lot of people died of starvation on this hill during the famine years, we owe it to these people as a mark of respect to protect this commonage land in there memory.

Peace and tranquillity
It’s a place of peace and tranquillity where people can get away from the stress of modern day living. When you get to the top of Knockfierna you can sit at the base of the cross in “awe” and say to yourself “This is Gods County”. Any day you can get out of bed is a good day. Some people say a prayer to respect the cross that was put there in 1950 to mark the holy year.
Anyone interested in getting involved in our group are more than welcome to join in whatever small way they want by contacting Ned on 087-2214938, Pat on 086-8717100 or Tim at 087-6483052.