Dominicans should donate the church to people of Drogheda
Dear Sir,
WITH the death of Fr Jim Donleavy OP, it’s the end of an era for the Dominicans in Drogheda who served the town so well for centuries. I was blessed to know Fr Jim.
He was a striking figure about the town who served the town diligently. Fr Jim was a man of his ministry.
He had a deep faith. He was a scholarly and saintly priest. He had a grear sense of commitment to his parishoners who he interacted with very well.
He was much loved by the people of Drogheda and enjoyed nature and agriculture having come from a farming background.
He loved a good laugh, was humourous and very much into sport, history, culture and the heritage of Ireland. Fr Jim had a wonderful singing voice. He was inspirational and many people looked up to him and his sermons greatly enhanced our faith.
Fr Jim was patriotic to his country having come from the rebel county of Cork. He was true Irishman.
He fought a good fight to the end to save the Dominican church from closure.
You won’t see his likes again. His spirit will live on around the Dominican in Drogheda forever.
Thank you for the memories, you will be sadly missed.
I don’t know what is going to happen to the Dominican in the future and if it will remain open.
If it is to close, may I suggest that the Order donates the church to the people of Drogheda and the Borough Council.
If this is not an option, they should be given first option to buy it for the people of Drogheda as a town centre museum.
It should be preserved and used for the community.
The church could take in the history of the Dominicans and maintain the religious artifacts.
It is important that it does not fall into commercial hands.
Yours, W Frank Godfrey, (Former Mayor of Drogheda