Moate woman"s poignant trip to Lourdes features on RTE documentary

A poignant journey to Lourdes by a Moate woman suffering from cancer earlier this year is featured in an RTE programme this week, and sadly, the show was dedicated to her memory as she passed away a few weeks after filming. Looking for a Miracle - A Would You Believe Special, to be broadcast on Tuesday next at 10.40pm, centres on two women, Mary Claffey from Ballinamudda, Moate and Tríona Nolan, who were suffering from the same form of cancer - Tríona was in remission but Mary, at the time of the filming, was in the advanced stage. The programme follows both women on their own personal spiritual journey to the famous French grotto on the 150th anniversary of the apparitions in Lourdes. They come from contrasting backgrounds and travel separately to Lourdes for different reasons, with different levels of piety and expectation, seeking solace, hope and maybe even a miracle. Mary Claffey was on an organised pilgrimage with the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise and this was her fourth trip. In the programme she explains her delight at getting a chance to spend time at her special place, Lourdes grotto. Sadly, for the Moate woman the pilgrimage was her last homage to Our Lady, passing away a few weeks after filming on June 29 aged just 51. The programme is dedicated to her and her family. Known locally for longstanding involvement in Moate Community Games, Mary served the community in many other guises including a term on the Board of Management of Oliver Plunkett Boys National school and her long term support of the Moate Community Bingo. She also played a big part in the success of the annual Monster Auction where she was usually involved in compiling the catalogue for the big day. The late Mary Claffey is survived by her husband, Willie and two sons, James and William.