Welcome to Our Website
Welcome to the official website of Donore Parish! Here, you will find everything you need to stay connected with our vibrant parish community. Whether you’re looking for the Parish Bulletin, Daily Mass Readings, Mass Times, Parish Notices, or other updates, we’ve got you covered.
We invite you to visit our website regularly to keep up with the latest activities and events in our parish. Together, we celebrate our faith and foster a welcoming environment for everyone in the Donore and Rossnaree faith community.
Donore & Rossnaree Faith Communities
The Parish of Donore and Rossnaree serves two historic and spiritually rich communities in the Diocese of Meath. Rooted in the heart of the Boyne Valley, both locations hold unique cultural and faith traditions, united under the shared dedication to the Nativity of Our Lady.
Our Parish
In May 2025, Bishop Tom Deenihan announced parish and clergy changes across the Diocese of Meath. As part of these changes, the Parish of Donore (which includes Rossnaree) has come under the stewardship of Fr. John Conlon, Parish Priest of St. Mary’s and Holy Family Parishes, Drogheda.
Fr. John is no stranger to Donore, having served as its administrator from 2019 to 2021 and previously as Parish Priest of Duleek for over 14 years. With his pastoral leadership, Donore and Rossnaree now share spiritual care with the wider Drogheda parish family.
Parish Clergy
- Fr. John Conlon PP
- Fr. Derek Ryan CC
- Fr. Emmanuel Ibitoye AP
Our Churches
The Nativity of Our Lady, Donore
Located in Cruicerath, this church lies in the heart of Donore village, just west of Drogheda. Built around 1840, it stands as a spiritual and communal centre in the parish, set amid the historical richness of the Boyne Valley.
The Nativity of Our Lady, Rossnaree
Positioned along the River Boyne with views of Newgrange, this church sits at the western edge of the parish. It serves the Rossnaree community and bears the poetic name “Wood of the Kings,” echoing the area’s ancient heritage.
History & Heritage
Both Donore and Rossnaree are steeped in history, myth, and faith:
Rossnaree, or Ros-na-Riogh (“Wood of the Kings”), is entwined with ancient Irish legend. It is said that Fionn Mac Cumhaill gained the Salmon of Knowledge here.
Donore, once known as Dun Uabair (“The Fort of Pride”), has roots reaching back to the early Christian era and was a strategic site during the Battle of the Boyne.
Explore the History of Donore ➜
Discover the Story of Rossnaree ➜