St Peters Church Carrigfadda
St Peters Church, in Carrigfadda, is the most recent of the three churches in Rosscarbery Parish. Up to the early years of the 20th century, the parish was served by a Parish Priest and a curate. Following the establishment of the Convent of Mercy in Ross in 1894, extra demands were placed on the clergy, and a request was made for an additional curate. At that time the annual dues were insufficient to support an additional priest. However, the adjoining parish of Kilmacabea had more income than they required and following representations to Rome, 10 townlands were transferred to Ross parish.
Initially it was expected that the church would be built in Reenascreena village, but the PP at the time did not want the church built near a pub, hence its location in a central, but isolated area. Land for the new church was acquired from the McCarthy and O’Sullivan families of Carrigfadda.
The foundation stone was laid in 1907. The church was built by the O’Donovans’ of Rosscarbery, noted contractors at that time. The wooden altar was erected by the O’Regans’ of Rosscarbery, exceptionally gifted craftsmen.
The church was opened on Sunday 21st November 1909, by Rev Denis Kelly, Bishop of Ross. The first mass was celebrated by Rev Peter Hill PP VF. The first curate was Fr Jeremiah O’Driscoll.
The Stations of the Cross were presented when the church was completed in 1909, at a cost of £5 each. In the 1950’s renovations were carried out by Paul Daly of Leap. Most of the windows were replaced at this stage. All of the windows were presented by local families in memory of deceased ancestors.
In the early years, many people walked to Mass and there were a number of recognised Mass paths. For the convenience of those living to the north of Carrigfadda Hill, one such path came right over the hill. Another path from the south was used by people from Cashel, Tullig and Reenascreena West.