Sligo communities mourn the passing of popular priest Fr Brian Conlon

COMMUNITIES and parishes in Sligo and Mayo are mourning the death of popular priest Fr Brian Conlon, retired Parish Priest of Ballycastle, Co Mayo and formerly of Carrowloughan, Dromard, Co Sligo who passed away on Tuesday. Fr Conlon passed away peacefully on Tuesday, (August 16), surrounded by his loving family at North West Hospice, Sligo.

He devoted his life to God’s work and served as curate and later Parish Priest in various parishes since his first posting as a priest in 1969.

Friends and community leaders, those in education - Fr Conlon’s teaching days in Easkey Vocational School fondly remembered by many - and his fellow priests in Sligo and Mayo were deeply saddened to learn of his death and tributes paid to him by those offering their sympathy to his family and brother priests recalled time and again his ever-present smile and his wonderful abilities to organise community fundraising efforts in every parish where he served.

In one of those tributes his invaluable contribution to Enniscrone was recalled: “Enniscrone was truly blessed tohave you as our spiritual guide all those years ago.

“You were a wonderful priest, one of the most kind and considerate people on this earth and we are all worse off with your passing.” Throughout his priestly journey he served in parishes across the Killala Diocese, his time in Easkey fondly recalled where he did invaluable work for the benefit of the parish, including setting up the community council there.

Another sympathiser on RIP.ie referenced his time as a curate in the Star of the Sea Church, Rathlee, part of the Easkey Parish, and again his ability to mobilise the community was alluded to, in particular his fundraising efforts for Rathlee National School and the running of very popular Station Masses in the area.

Reference has also been made to his love of sport and most of all his lifetime of faithful service. St Farnan’s GAA club paid tribute to Fr Conlon, recalling his important contribution to the club and to the securing of playing facilities. In a post on their Facebook page, they wrote: “As secretary of the club, he played a very significant role in the acquisition of St. Farnan’s Park and the fundraising activities organised by the club. His contribution to St. Farnan’s was invaluable during this period.”

A curate in Dromore West from 1976 to 1982, Fr Brian was secretary of St Farnan’s GAA club from 1977 to 1981 and was their County Board Representative from 1977 to 1982. Predeceased by his parents, Tom and Nora, and his brothers Paddy and Seán, his passing is deeply regretted by his brothers, Tommy (Wicklow), Dermot (London), Eugene (Leitrim), sisters-in-law, Bernie, Margaret, Cáit and Elma, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, Bishop John Fleming and the priests of Killala diocese, relatives, many friends, and the parishioners of parishes served in since 1969.

Fr Conlon’s remains will be reposed at Lynn’s Funeral Home, Killala, Co. Mayo today, Thursday, August 18 from 5pm to 7pm, with removal to St Brigid’s Church, Ballycastle, Co Mayo, arriving at 7.30pm.

Funeral Mass tomorrow, Friday, August 19, at 12 noon followed by burial in St Mary’s Cemetery, Skreen, Co. Sligo.

The funeral mass can be viewed on the Ballycastle Facebook page.