Friday 17th June was a very special day in the life of Shannon Parish as the community gathered in Mary Immaculate Church to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Ordination to the Priesthood of Canon Brendan O’Donoghue.

On 17th June 1956 in St. Patrick’s College Maynooth, Canon Brendan along with his classmates Canon Reuben Butler, Pat Taaffe, and Seamus Mullin were ordained priests for service in the Diocese of Killaoe. Fr Pat Carmody, Cooraclare was ordained the previous week in St Patrick’s College, Carlow. On Friday night all five priests who between them have given 300 years of service to the diocese and Church celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving. They were joined by Bishop Willie Walsh, and Fr Des Hillery, Diocesan Administrator, and other priests who had worked with Canon Brendan for the Mass. Canon Brendan was joined by his family, from Offaly, Dublin and the United States for the occasion. The combined choirs of the parish sang at the Mass and after Mass hospitality was proved by the parish in St. Senan’s school..

We congratulate Canon Brendan and his classmates and wish them every blessing for years to come.

Our thanks to Joe Buckley for the photos.

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