After months of meetings by a committee made up of representatives from each of the ten participating parishes and a week of intense hard work by workmen from the County Council, Dunloe Ewart and Nevilles in preparing the site, the scene was set for this historic Pilgrimage on Sunday, 21st May in the year 2000 AD.

The day dawned fine and warm. First on duty, at 9 am, were the Scouts drawn from the 58th Cabinteely, 54th Cornelscourt, 57th Tullow and 25th Mount Merrion troops. They hoisted the tricolour at the entrance to the graveyard and then proceeded to make preparations to facilitate pilgrims crossing fields from many directions and to marshall the crowds. Towards lunchtime, the Gardaí and St. John Ambulance Brigade took up duty.

From 1.30 pm onwards, people gathered in their own churches for a brief service before setting out
- many on foot. Pilgrims from neighbouring parishes joined together as they went - some chatting, some singing, some just enjoying the walk. It was an amazing sight, seldom seen in this day and age. Groups of people trailed across the green fields and leafy lanes from every direction, fortified at strategic points by drinks of water from the ever-helpful Scouts, while a steady stream of cars, bikes, buggies and a wheelchair slowly wound their way up towards their historic destination where the lively strains of the Stedfast Band welcomed them. The main group of St. Brigid's pilgrims who crossed the fields behind the Library, stopped and prayed at a "station" to mark the site of an ancient Christian burial ground (behind the new Esso Filling Station) where 1,500 bodies were excavated last year.

Fr. Colm welcomed the pilgrims - up to, perhaps, 1,000 people - and all joined in singing "St. Patrick's Breastplate" to the air of "Morning has Broken". After the Readings and Gospel, the Jubilee Stone (a granite boulder taken from the valley below and inscribed with the names of the participating churches) was dedicated and blessed by Fr. Tom and Rev. Cecil Bryan, Rector of Tullow Church. Rob Goodbody, Chairman of Rathmichael History Society, then gave a very interesting talk on the history of Tully and this was followed by a trio singing a lovely rendition of "Ag Críost an Síol". Next came the Prayers of Intercession led by representatives from each of the churches, and the Final Blessing was given by all the clergy present.

It was indeed a memorable occasion, enjoyed to the full by the happy groups of families and friends from all denominations, sitting on walls or grass and joining whole-heartedly in hymns and prayers to celebrate "Christ's presence among us for 2000 years". The celebration drew to a close as the skies resounded with a thousand voices telling the world "How Great Thou Art".

Many sat around afterwards chatting with friends from neighbouring parishes and sharing their picnics. When the last of the pilgrims finally left, the Scouts, still on duty, tidied up a remarkably litter free site. They then lowered the tricolour and ceremoniously folded it. As the sound of the crows coming home to roost mingled with the distant hum of Sunday traffic from the Nil, one could almost hear in the gentle evening breeze a contented sigh from the Lord our Irish Christian ancestors!

Click on each picture to see a larger version.

A time for prayer opposit ancient Christian burial ground partly excavated behind new Esso garage	Group from parish approach the site with one of the Crosses in the background.	The pilgrims gather round the old ruined chapel on Tully hill.
The blessing of the Stone.	Prayers at the Chapel	A moment of silent recollection inside the chapel.

Pilgrims visit Tully Cross