Dawn Masses in Co Galway are a big success

DAWN Masses on Easter Sunday morning attracted large attendances with two in this area, one in Lavally beside the lake and another in Kilbannon Cemetery, being particularly successful.

A 20-minute Mass, four days every week during Lent celebrated in Kilconly Church by Fr Michael Kenny, who was the celebrant of the Kilbannon outdoor Dawn Mass, also attracted large congregations at 7.30 am during the six weeks of Lent.

In Lavally at 6 am on Easter Sunday the Paschal Fire was lit beside the lake and three crosses were erected on the nearby hillside when Fr Francis Mitchell Adm, Tuam celebrated the Mass there.

This is the fourth year for the Dawn Mass at Lavally lake and the second for the outdoor Mass in Kilbannon with attendances increasing at both.

'We filled 850 bottles of Easter Holy Water for distribution during and after the Lavally Mass and not one was left,' says Carmelita Lee, one of the organisers.

One mother at the Lavally Mass commented that she felt 'so pleased' to see her son, who is not a regular Mass goer, there and receiving Holy Communion.