Popular priest Fr Charlie McDonnell to leave Westport

TRIBUTES to Fr Charlie McDonnell’s work in Westport started to flow as soon as his appointment as Parish Priest in Athenry was announced.

Announcing clerical changes to the Tuam Archdiocese on Friday, Archbishop Francis Duffy confirmed that Fr McDonnell will be finishing up as Administrator of Westport Parish after 12 years of service.

The Castlebar native has been a very popular addition to community life in Westport over the last decade, and news of his move away was met with much sadness.

Trojan work

Local councillor Brendan Mulroy was among those to pay tribute to Fr Charlie, thanking him for his service to the community and for making a difference to people’s lives through his pastoral work. “No words would even start to explain the Trojan work you have done over the last 12 years,” Cllr Mulroy wrote on his Facebook page.

“You have being a constant source of help and support to people in their darkest hours and you have supported people who have had tough challenges and illness throughout their lives. The ability to be able to unite people came easy to you Fr Charlie, as people knew by your leadership we were always on the right road. Even in our darkest days in Westport you were always the light at the end of the tunnel. The people of this area genuinely love you, Charlie, and with good reason.

“On a personal level I have seen firsthand the difference you have made to people’s lives. When the phone would ring and Fr Charlie came up, you were never looking for anything for yourself but always caring and trying to ensure whatever situation a person was in that they had the adequate supports to help them through life. You are also very honest in your opinions, and your word was your word. You have dedicated your life to helping people and to be fair you have done that. We will all miss you but you arrived as a stranger and you leave as a great and loyal friend to us all.”

Diocesan reshuffle

Fr McDonnell’s transfer to Athenry means that Fr John Kenny, currently parish priest of Partry, will now become the Administrator of Westport, Kilmeena and Clare Island-Inishturk. Westport native, Fr Jarlath Heraty, the current PP of Killererin in Co Galway, will become  Partry’s parish priest.

As well as being the Administror of Aughagower Parish, Fr Britus Kaddavunkal Francis will also become the assistant priest for Westport, Kilmeena and Clare Island-Inishturk.

Archbishop Duffy also confirmed that two priests in the Archdiocese are to retire, including Fr Michael Gormally, the current PP of Ballinrobe-Kilmaine. The clerical changes will come into effect from Friday, August 18.

The diocesan changes for the Archdiocese of Tuam are as follows: Fr Bernard Shaughnessy, CC Coolarne, to retire; Fr Michael Gormally, PP Ballinrobe-Kilmaine, to retire; Fr Denis Carney, PP Balla-Mayo Abbey to be PP Ballinrobe-Kilmaine; Fr Brendan Kilcoyne, PP Athenry, to be PP Balla-Mayo Abbey; Fr Charles McDonnell, Adm Westport, Kilmeena and Clare Island-Inishturk; to be PP Athenry; Fr John Kenny, PP Partry to be Adm Westport, Kilmeena, and Clare Island-Inishturk.

Fr Britus Kaddavunkal Francis, Adm Aughagower to be, in addition, Assistant Priest Westport, Kilmeena, and Clare Island-Inishturk; Fr Jarlath Heraty, PP Killererin to be PP Partry; Fr Ronnie Boyle, PP Abbeyknockmoy to be, in addition, PP Killererin; Fr John O’Gorman, PP Lackagh, in addition to his current responsibilities, to provide pastoral care to the parishioners of Brooklodge church area in the parish of Abbeyknockmoy; Fr Eugene O’Boyle, PP Glenamaddy-Williamstown to be PP Letterfrack and Adm Inishbofin Island; Fr Anthaiah Pudota, Adm Letterfrack, and Adm Inishbofin Island, to be Adm Glenamaddy-Williamstown.