Fr John Quinn, PP Gortletteragh to retire.
Fr Ciaran McGovern, PP Clonguish to retire.
Fr Bernard Hogan, PP Drumlish to retire.
Fr Seamus McKeon, PP Colmcille to retire.
Fr Sean Casey, PP Killoe to retire.
Fr James McKiernan, Adm. Cathedral Parish of Templemichael to be also the Administrator of the parish of Clonguish.
Fr Tom Murray, P.P. Ballinalee to be also the Administrator of the parish of Killoe.
Fr. Nigel Charles, P.P. Mohill to be also the Administrator of the parish of Gortletteragh.
Fr Seamus O’ Rourke C.C. Carrick-on-Shannon to be Administrator of the parish of Colmcille.
Fr. Eamon McNerney, on loan from the archdiocese of Edmonton in Canada, to be Administrator of the parish of Drumlish.
The above appointments will take effect from the weekend of the 6th of September 2026.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the priests of the diocese who continue so generously to take on extra responsibilities to ensure pastoral service in all our parishes.”
+ Paul Connell
Fr. John Quinn.
Fr John was ordained for the diocese in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth on 20th June 1965 by Archbishop John McQuaid.
Fr John’s first appointment was as curate and chaplain to Ballymahon Parish from 1965 – 1967. He undertook post-graduate studies from 1967 – 1968. Fr John served as curate in Granard from 1968 — 1970 and then as curate in Drumshanbo from 1970 until 1971. He was appointed as curate to Rathcline in 1971 serving there until 1979. His next appointment was as curate in Cloghan from 1979 to 1980. Fr John returned as curate to Granard from 1980 to 1987 before being appointed in 1978 as parish priest of Gortletteragh, an appointment he has held continuously for the last thirty-nine years
Fr. Ciaran McGovern.
Fr Ciaran was ordained for the diocese in St Mel’s Cathedral by Bishop Cahal Daly on 9th June 1974.
Fr Ciaran’s first appointment was as chaplain and catechist to Longford Vocational School from 1974 until 1986. From 1975 to 1976 he undertook studies at the Catechetical Institute, Dundalk, Co. Louth. Fr Ciaran was appointed as curate in Longford in 1986 and remained there until 1993. He then became priest-in-charge of Rathowen parish in 1993. In 2005 Fr Ciaran was appointed parish priest of Clonguish.
Fr. Bernard Hogan.
Fr Bernard was ordained for the diocese in St Mel’s Cathedral by Bishop Cahal Daly on 9th June 1974.
Fr. Bernard’s first appointment was as curate in Longford from 1974 until 1978. He went on the Diocesan Mission to Chipata, Zambia from 1978 until 1984. He returned to the diocese and served as curate in Mohill from 1984 until 1988. Fr Ber returned to the diocesan mission in Chipata in 1988 and remained there until 1991. His next appointment was as diocesan catechist and curate in Clonturk, Bornacoola, from 1992 to 1993. He was diocesan catechist and curate of Colmcille from 1993 to 1996. He was priest-in-charge of Ballymachugh from 1996 until 2000. In 2000 Fr Bernard was appointed parish priest of Mohil and in 2011 he became parish priest of Drumlis
Fr. Seamus McKeon.
Fr Seamus was ordained for the diocese in St Mel’s Cathedral by Bishop Cahal Daly on 13th June 1976.
Fr Seamus’s first appointment was as curate in Mullinalaghta from 1976 until 1985. He was appointed to the Irish Emigrant Chaplaincy in London from 1985 to 1988. On his return to the diocese Fr Seamus served as curate in Mullahoran from 1988 until 1993. From 1993 until 2000 he was curate of Banagher and undertook a Renewal Course from 2000 to 2001. Fr Seamus was appointed parish priest of Kiltubrid in 2001 and in 2007 he became parish priest of Colmcille.
Fr Sean Casey.
Fr Sean was ordained for the diocese in St Mel’s Cathedral by Bishop Cahal Daly on 17th June 1979.
Fr Sean’s first appointment was as Diocesan Secretary from 1979 until 1983. In 1983 he joined the staff of St Mel’s College, a position he held until 1989. He was then appointed as curate to St Mary’s parish, Athlone in 1989. From 1997 until 1998 Fr Sean was the Administrator of Coosan in the parish of St. Mary’s, Athlone. Fr Sean was appointed as parish priest of Killoe in 1998.
“I would like to sincerely thank Fr John, Fr Sean, Fr Ciaran, Fr Bernard and Fr Seamus for the sterling service they have given to the diocese. I wish them a long, blessed and fulfilling retirement.”
+ Paul Connell