Fond farewell for Beara-boundpriest
FR MARTIN Sheehan who was the Parish Priest of Caherdaniel for the past two years has been transferred to Adrigole, Co.Cork, and will soon commence duties there. Fr Martin, originally of Filane, five miles outside Castletownbere, is no stranger to Valentia Islanders as, due to a resident Parish Priest being no longer in existence in Valentia, he performed clerical duties here in association with Fr Larry Kelly, PP of Cahirsiveen and Fr Gerard Finucane, PP of Waterville.
In a direct parochial swap, Fr Martin will be replaced as PP of Caherdaniel by Fr Martin Spillane, PP of Adrigole. Previous to Caherdaniel he served in Kenmare, Knocknagree, Rathmore, Ballyduff and Tuosist.
Fr Martin, in a late vocation to the priesthood, was ordained at the age of 39 in 1991, having attended St Patrick’s Seminary in Thurles.
Prior to his ordination, in fulfilment of his duties as a qualified chef, he worked in a Lourdes Hotel for five years. This experience, he states, contributed to and honed his vocation in a big way.
Interestingly, he spent the first eight years of his life in England and came to Ireland in 1960 with his returning parents, who subsequently worked a small farm in Filane. He also has two brothers.
Fr Martin, as a result of his genial wit and friendliness, made a lot of friends in Valentia and Iveragh and, together with the aforementioned Fr Larry Kelly and Father Gerard Finucane, helped in no small way to keep the Valentia Parish afloat, vibrant and efficient.
He had a particular affinity with the volunteers who in recent times painted and decorated the church of Sts Derarca and Teresa of Chapeltown. His south west Cork wit and love of banter and crack sat well with those painting and many is the memorable utterance and rebounded quip given during the course of those evening operations.
Thus, in appreciation of his services here, a number of Valentia Islanders came together with Fr Martin on the evening of Thursday, July 13, in the Ring Lyne Bar and Restaurant of Chapeltown.
Dan O’Connor of the church pastoral council and driving force behind the church painting and decorating, acted as MC in introducing Fr Martin to the attendance in the function room. The ‘ hop ball’ between Dan and the popular prelate set the tone for what proved to be a very relaxed night of spontaneous entertainment and chat.
The talented O’Shea sisters from Corobeg – Aisling, Caoimhe and Ruth – kicked off the night’s entertainment with guitar, accordian and song, followed by Sean Nós dancing by Julia Cooper of Chapeltown, who this year won the Sean Nós category event at the Scór na bPaisti county finals held in the Foilmore Community Centre.
The evening rolled on, fuelled by refreshments of fresh home baking, sandwiches and a spontaneous voluntary effort of individual singing and recitation.
The good priest cut and distributed his own birthday cake and also contributed a fine rendition of two songs. Contributions in song and recitation were also rendered by Brendie Murphy, Mary Gallagher and her daughter Aoife, Michael Egan, Máire Stewart and Tracey Sugrue.
A painting depicting the Valentia Lighthouse was presented to him by local artist Mary Cahill of Ballymanach.
Fr Martin is deeply appreciative of the island effort towards his going away festivities and also thanks the children for their musical efforts
All good wishes are extended to him in his new parochial endeavours agus go n-eiri go maith leis ina pharóiste nua.