Westport prepares to say farewell to 'inspirational' Fr Charlie

A Westport-based councillor has paid tribute to Fr Charlie McDonnell as he prepares to leave his ministry in Westport and the surrounding parish after 12 years in the town.

A special celebration in honour of Fr Charlie McDonnell will take place in the Castlecourt Hotel this evening (Sunday) as the town prepares to bid farewell to the Castlebar native who is to take up a role as Parish Priest in Athenry. The clerical changes for the Archdiocese of Tuam come into effect from Friday, August 18.

Fr Charlie arrived in Westport in 2011 to take up the role as Administrator in the Westport Parish having served as a curate in Athenry. Almost immediately he made a positive impact in the region with his good humour and boundless energy.

Local councillor Brendan Mulroy described Fr Charlie as 'an inspirational figure' in the west Mayo region and has helped so many people in so many years since his arrival. He said the town will miss him when he leaves.

“I don't think we will ever see a priest like Fr Charlie again in Westport. He had the ability to bring young and old with him and it is a big loss to the church in the Westport and west Mayo area. People like Fr Charlie do not come around very often,” he said.

Cllr Mulroy said that in his role as a councillor when Fr Charlie asked for help with something he would presume the work would be done. He added he was not a shrinking violet and would be upfront and honest when he had to be.

Fr Charlie, he said, had time for everybody and was available at any time to help people, particularly those who were struggling in their life.

“He has played a huge part in leading people out of dark days. People who have had a lot of tragedy and dark days in their lives, Fr Charlie has been the one who has led the charge in relation to leading them to brighter days.

Willing to listen

“There was an open door policy with Charlie. He was always there and willing to listen and to hand out advice and go the extra mile to ensure the person was helped all the way on their journey. People who suffered grief and who were struggling on a daily basis, he always had an ear there for them. It is hard to get someone who is so committed and willing to listen to people. He was always looking after people, it was always about other people and never about Fr Charlie,” he commented.

The transfer of Fr McDonnell to Athenry means that Fr John Kenny, who is the current PP of Partry will now become the Administrator of Westport, Kilmeena, and Clare Island-Inishturk. Fr Kenny had previously served as a curate in Westport and is well known in the town.

Westport native, Fr Jarlath Heraty, the current PP of Killererin in Co Galway will be the PP in Partry. As well as being the Administrator of Aughagower Parish, Fr Britus Kaddavunkal Francis will also be the assistant Priest for Westport, Kilmeena, and Clare Island-Inishturk.

There is an open invitation to everyone in Westport and the surrounding areas to the celebratory evening in the Castlecourt Hotel this evening, Sunday, August 13 at 8pm.