Reflections Of A Retired Parish Priest

I am a native of Belleek, Co Fermanagh. I was educated at the local primary school in Mulleek, Ballinafad College, near Castlebar, Co Mayo, and University College, Cork before entering the Major Seminary at Dromantine, Newy, Co Down. I was ordained a priest in Newry Cathedral in December 1968.

On completion of my studies I worked as a missionary in Northern Nigeria for most of the first decade of my priesthood.

On returning to Ireland I studied for a diploma in Pastoral Liturgy in the Liturgy Institute in Portarlington, Co Laois , following which I joined the staff of the Institute when it was transferred to St Patrick’s College, Carlow.

I joined the Diocese of Elphin in 1982 as a curate in Mantua, a half-parish of Elphin. I was appointed to the Cathedral parish in 1987 and moved to Sooey in 1992 where I remained as curate and later Parish Priest until my retirement in 2019.

I edited the Diocesan newspaper, “The Angelus”, for almost twenty-six years.

I now live in the former Parochial House in Riverstown and help out in the parish with the new Parish Priest, Fr Yashin Jos.