San Diego honour for Fr Corcoran
A DROGHEDA priest has been honoured with the title of ‘Irishman of the Year’ in San Diego.
Father Brian Corcoran from Saint Mary’s Villas, Drogheda, was hailed with the award at the annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival in California. Executive Grand Marshal for the parade was the visiting Tanaiste, Frances Fitzgerald, T.D.
Father Brian was born and raised in Drogheda, was educated by the Mercy Sisters and the Christian Brothers, doing his Leaving Cert at Saint Joseph’s in 1964.
He followed his brother Pat into Saint Patrick Missionary Society, Kiltegan, and was ordained a missionary priest in 1972.
Father Brian served in Kitui, Kenya, East Africa, for seven years before been asked to undertake missionary promotion work in the USA in 1980. His brother, Father Pat, continues to serve in Calabar, Nigeria, West Africa, for over forty-five years now.
Father Brian was part of the Kiltegan promotion team in Chicago and New York for six years, where he had the privilege of being also involved with the County Louth Society of New York, and came to know many of the young Drogheda emigrants to New York at the time.
Father Brian has served in San Diego parishes for 30 years, and also enjoys his participation with the Irish community there. Last September, he retired as Pastor, and now gladly assists as called upon.
Father Brian returns ‘ home’ to Saint Mary’s Villas regularly, and frequently serves at Saint Mary’s, James Street.