Fr Kelleher Golden Jubilee
MANY people from Charleville and area attended the Golden Jubilee Mass of Rev Fr Liam Kelleher, CC Cobh, at his home Church, S. Lachteen’s, Stuake, Donoughmore, County Cork last Saturday evening. The charismatic priest is well-known for his attention to his priestly duties and also as a prominent figure in athletics circles, not alone in Ireland but throughout the world of athletics internationally, as a competitor and as the founder and editor of athletics magazines.
Ordained in St Lachteen’s Church in his native place on Saturday, June 9, 1968 and ministered in a town called Treforest, Pontypridd, Wales, the home of singer Tom Jones. He was posted to Midleton and then to Tullylease from 1977 to 1982. While there he built the running track on the side of the hillside village and brought the cream of the world’s athletes to compete there, including Olympians John Walker, New Zealand; Steve Ovett of England; Eamon Coughlan, John Treacey and Ray Flynn.
Fr Liam also founded the North Cork Athletic Club, which continues to this day in Charleville, and is the organiser of the very successful Charleville Half-Marathon, which has attracted thousands of athletes over the past number of years. Some of the people involved in the early committees of the North Cork Athletic Club were at the Jubilee Mass in Stuake.
Fr Liam was a familiar figure in Charleville, especially during his years as a curate in Dromina from 1982 to 1987, and he was also responsible for the introduction of camogie to St Mary’s Secondary School, Charleville, in the mid-’80s.
The school has gone on to win 35 All-Ireland finals.
He was also the editor of Marathon and other athletics magazines, as well as being founder of the Imokilly People and the Cobh News.
Fr Liam produced a book to mark his 50 years as a priest, and he is presenting free copie to all who attend his celebratory Masses between June 11 and 16. He will celebrate anniversary Masses in Grenagh, Whitechurch, Inch/Killeagh, Dromina (June 14), Tullylease (June 15), and Midleton(June 16).
There was a reception after the Mass on Saturday evening, which was hosted by the ladies committee of the local Community Council who laid on excellent fair for the capacity attendance. The entertainment was provided by a band from San Francisco, all friends of Fr Liam. We wish him continued good health and happiness in his ministry.