The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Ballyheigue send-off for ‘one in a million’ Fr Tom
THE BAR inside of the White Sands Hotel in Ballyheigue was packed to the rafters last Wednesday night as the local community came out to say thank you to their departing priest, Fr Tom Leane, who is leaving for his new Parish in Dromtariffe, County Cork.
Organisers of the event had arranged for a great night of music, song and dance to commemorate Fr Leane’s time in Ballyheigue and even took the time to present the man of the hour with a wonderful cake, adorned with nine candles, one for each year that he had served the town and its people.
Fr Leane, affectionately known by many of the locals as the ‘People’s Priest’, is leaving Ballyheigue after what he describes as “nine great years” during which, judging by the sizeable crowd that greeted his arrival with a round of applause, he made quite the impression.
“He’s absolutely one in a million; he’s done fantastic work here. He did up the church, put in new confession boxes, fixed the roof; he did so much for us here, I always called him the ‘People’s Priest’ and we’re devastated to see him leave” said Kathleen James, a resident of Ballyheigue.
“Anyone that he could help, he would always try to do his very best. My son broke both his legs in a bad accident a couple of years ago and Fr Tom was up at our house every second evening to check on him, he was brilliant,” said Bridie Enright.
What of the man himself though? How does he feel to be leaving after so many years?
“I’ve honestly spent nine great years here, there’s a fantastic community spirit. The people are so supportive and helpful and there’s always been a great atmosphere. I might be moving on from the town here but I’ll never forget the great memories that I made,” Fr Leane said.