Golden celebrations for Fr Tom McGrath

BALLYCULLANE native Fr Tom McGrath celebrated his golden jubilee surrounded by his family and friends.

The retired priest who now lives in Duncannon was ordained in 1967 in St Peter’s College.

The son of the late Mary and Tom McGrath Fr McGrath was first stationed in the House of the Missions in Enniscorthy before moving as spiritual director to St Peter’s College.

From there he moved to Galbally where he spent eight years followed by eleven years in Our Lady’s Island. He spent his final ministering years in Newbawn.

During his tenures in the various parishes Fr McGrath spearheaded a lot of parish work including the re-roofing of the church and parochial house in Newbawn and the Fatima Grotto in Galbally.

Fr McGrath said he was delighted with the jubilee celebrations. ‘ There was a great turnout and there was a performance by the Raheen Pipe Band. There was a great buzz at the celebrations in the Horse and Hound.’

The festivities were preceded by mass in Duncannon Church which was con-celebrated by Fr Jimmy Ryan, Bishop Denis Lennon, Fr John Nolan and Fr McGrath himself.

Fr McGrath was joined on the night by his sisters Margaret (Bates) and Anna (O’Regan) and brothers Simon and Denis, nieces, nephews and a large number of his former parishioners and his neighbours in Duncannon.

‘I really enjoyed the evening’, said Fr McGrath. ‘It was very special.’

Fr Tom McGrath cutting the cake with some of his grand nieces and nephews. Fr Tom McGrath with his brother Denis and sisters Margaret and Anna.

ABOVE: Sr De Montford, Sr Ella McGuinness and Sr Ella McGuinness.

Aidan Wallace, Kilbride; Toni Butler, Duncannon; Anne Wallace, Kilbride and Richard Butler, Duncannon. RIGHT: Ann Byrne, Ballywilliam and Margaret O’Neill, Bagnalstown. BELOW: Bridie Dillon, Newbawn and Kitty Stafford, Tinnacarrig.

Joe Bradley, Lorna Foley and Marie Kehow, Brownstown.