CURATES OF CLONALLON WHO RESIDED IN , PRIOR TO THE FORMATION OF A NEW PARISH

Reverend Fr Mooney The Revd Fr. Mooney was the first resident Curate in Mayobridge. He lived in the old Church of Vicarage until a new Parochial House was built by the Revd Fr. McMullan about the 1870s. He was a nephew of Fr. John Mooney, who was P.P. of , and educated for the Priesthood at Maynooth. He was ordained in by the Most Revd Dr. Blake in 1854. Having served the people of Mayobridge for 17 years, he was appointed Parish Priest of Annaclone in 1876 and he died on the 3rd September 1889. Before arriving in Mayobridge, he served as Curate in from 1854 until 1856 and in from 1856 until 1859. His remains are buried in Magheral.

Reverend Fr Matthew Lynch The Revd Fr. Matthew Lynch replaced him in Mayobridge where he served from 1876 until 1881. Born in the Parish of , he studied Ethics at Violet Hill Newry and from there, entered the Irish College at Salamanca in 1862, and commenced his Theological Studies in 1863. He was ordained by Dr. Leahy in Newry Cathedral on 18th August 1867. He was appointed to Dromara, as Curate in 1868 and served there until July 1869, when he was transferred to Annaclone. Having served there until July 1876, he was then appointed Curate in Mayobridge where he stayed until November 1881. On the 13th November 1881, he became P.P. of Aghaderg and on 26th April 1890 he was appointed P.P. of Kilbroney. Having served there for 17 years, he died on 3rd February 1907 aged 64 years and is buried in Graveyard. He received his early education from the school-master in the 'Hedge Schools' in his native Parish and was already a brilliant classical scholar, when he entered St. Colman's College.

Reverend Fr. Edward McCartan In 1881 the Revd Fr. Edward McCartan became Curate in Mayobridge. Born in the Parish of Upper Drumgooland (Leitrim), he was educated at the Seminary of Cambrai in France. From there he graduated to the Irish College in Paris in 1865. Having completed his studies, he was ordained by Dr. Leahy in Newry on the 18th July 1869. From then until he was appointed to Mayobridge, he was Curate in Clonduff. He continued to serve in Mayobridge until 1889, when he was appointed P.P. of Seagoe. On the restoration of the Diocesan Chapter he was installed as Archdeacon of Dromore on 7th June 1918. He died on the 12th September 1920 and is interred in Leitrim graveyard.

Reverend Fr William Kearns The next Curate of Mayobridge was the Revd Fr. William Kearns, who was born in the Lurgan Parish of Shankhill. Having studied at Maynooth, he was ordained there on the 30th May 1871. He was Curate in Leitrim from June 1871 until 1874 when he was transferred to Gargory where he served until 1889. He remained in Mayobridge from 1889 until his death on the 1st February aged 46 years and his remains are buried in Mayobridge graveyard.

Reverend Fr Andrew Lowry The Revd Fr. Andrew Lowry became Curate of Mayobridge in February 1895 and ministered there until January 1903. Born in Clonduff in 1851, he was one of 6 members of that family to devote their lives to the Church. His brothers were the Revd John Lowry, Parish Priest of Upper Drumgooland and the Revd Joseph Lowry P.P. of . Three of his sisters became Nuns in the Convent of Poor Clares, Newry. Fr. Andrew was educated at Maynooth and was ordained by Dr. Leahy in the Poor Clare Convent Chapel in Newry on the 3rd of May 1876. He was appointed Curate of until 1878 when he transferred to Clonduff where he remained until 1885. Transferring to Kilbroney in December 1885, he continued his Ministry there until 1895, when he became Curate of Mayobridge. He became Administrator of Leitrim in January 1903. He transferred to Lurgan in 1907 where he died in 1929.

Reverend Fr. John Savage The Revd Fr. John Savage then came to Mayobridge to replace Fr. Lowry and served in Mayobridge from January 1903 until the 4th June 1907 when he was appointed P.P. of Dromara. He was born in and entered the Irish College in Salamanca in 1877. He was ordained by Monsignor Belesta, Bishop of Zamara in the Church of St. Vincent in Zamara on the 17th November 1881. He arrived in Ireland in June 1882 and was seconded to Birmingham for 3 years, when he was recalled to Dromore Diocese. He was then appointed Curate of Clonduff in Dec 1885 where he stayed until January 1903. He then became Curate in Mayobridge until the 4th June 1907 when he was appointed P.P. of Dromara. He died on the 30th March 1926 and is buried in Dromara just outside the front of the Church.

Reverend Fr John Carr The Revd Fr. John Carr came to Mayobridge in June 1907 and ministered there until 1925. His legacy is still fondly noted to this day in Mayobridge. Memories abound of his loving care of the people. He was endowed with an unaffected simplicity and unfailing good humour. He travelled round the Parish in horseback, when visiting, or attending the sick. He was born in Hilltown in the Parish of Clonduff. He studied at Maynooth and was ordained there by the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr.Walsh on the 21st June 1901. He was appointed to a temporary mission in Leeds from which he returned in January 1903 when he became Curate in 1925 and remained there until 1927, when he returned to . On the 24th January 1931, he was appointed P.P. of Upper Drumgooland only to be appointed Parish Priest of Annaclone on the 18th May 1932. He was appointed Canon on the 5th November 1934 and was transferred as P.P. to on the 4th July 1935. He died on the 20th March 1936 and is interred in Laurencetown Cemetery.

Reverend Michael O’Hare The Revd Michael O'Hare was the next Curate to serve in Mayobridge. He was appointed in April 1925. He was born in Donaghmore in Barr Parish on the 18th September 1887. He entered the Irish College in Rome in 1907 and obtained his Doctor of Divinity degree whilst studying there. He was ordained in Rome on the 5th January 1913, when he then returned to Ireland to serve as Curate in Upper Drumgooland for 3 years. In 1916 he was transferred to Rostrevor, where he remained for one year. From 1917 until 1923, he was Curate in Annaclone. He was Curate in Seagoe for two years, before coming to Mayobridge in 1925 where he remained until 1933, when he was moved to Lurgan. He was appointed Parish Priest of Lower Drumgooland on the 4th February 1937. He moved to Clonduff for a brief period in 1951 and became Parish Priest of Dromore in 1952, from which he retired on the 8th June 1964. He then went to live in and acted as Chaplain to a Convent for some years. He died in St. John of Gods Nursing Home Newry on the 14th May 1974 and is buried in Dromore

Reverend Fr Pat McCartan The Revd Fr. Pat McCartan came to Mayobridge in 1933 and served there until 1941. He was a keen sportsman and gave the Crows around the Church and Convent grounds a hard time, using his .22 rifle to good effect. Entertainment in the Parochial Hall flourished during his Curacy in Mayobridge. He installed a full sized billiard table in the Parochial Hall which created considerable interest in all the district and rented a field convenient to the school from Joe Garvey, in which the schoolboy's could practice and polish their skills at . As a direct result of this facility, a School-boys Under-14 team was entered in a School Football competition for the Ashbourne Cup. which Mayobridge won, defeating the Abbey Newry and the C.B.S. . Mayobridge P.S. was the first name inscribed on that shield. Fr. Pat was born in Workington, England but received his education at St. John's College, Waterford when he was ordained in Waterford Cathedral by Dr. Hackett, CSSR, who was Bishop of Waterford and Lismore. He was serving as a Curate in Cushendun in the & Connor Diocese during 1917/18 and in Glenavy from 1918 until 1919 when he was recalled as Curate to Drumgath in February 1919 until November 1922 when he was transferred to Dromara. He moved to Tullylish in 1931 and then to Mayobridge in 1933. He was a good, kindly, caring Priest and I have very fond memories of him. He was transferred to Burren in February 1941, but that same month was transferred to Cabra. he was very unwell at this period and he died on the 25th of May 1941. He is buried adjacent to the Church entrance doors in Mayobridge Graveyard.

Reverend Fr Michael McCartan The Revd Fr. Michael McCartan was appointed to Mayobridge on the death of Fr. Pat and immediately captured the hearts of the people around Mayobridge. He was everything that was good in a priest, involving himself in all facets of life in Mayobridge. He always attended the football matches, home or away in which Mayobridge were participating. He would travel on the bus with the team, and spectators, to away games and would act as Umpire when required. He actively promoted throughout the County and was a member of the Newry & District Camogie League Committee while Curate in in the mid 1920s and early 30s. Shortly after he arrived at Mayobridge, he formed a Camogie team which he himself coached and trained, and so successful were they that as early as 1942, some of their players were picked for the County and their Captain, Kathleen Mallon played for Ulster in 1942. He was quite a gifted musician, playing a button keyed accordion at dances in the Parochial Hall for quite some time. The late Monsignor Bradley accompanied him on the drums. He was always ready to sing a song. The Darling Girl from Clare, being his favourite. His presence at every wedding party in the district was a must. He was a great conversationalist and being closely involved in all activities he knew most things about most people, had his good natured banter enlivened many a pleasant gathering. Warrenpoint and Fair days he nearly always attended where he would buy 2 or 3 animals and if he had some to sell, he would employ a local Drover to drive them to market. He was a kind, generous man whom the people of Mayobridge loved, and plied him with dozens of gifts on his departure. Fr. Mick was born in Upper Drumgooland in 1894. He studied for the Priesthood at St. John's College, Waterford and was ordained by Dr. Hackett, CSSR, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore in Waterford Cathedral on the 20th June 1920. He was Curate for short periods in Dromara, Clonduff and Seapatrick before moving to Lurgan in 1921 and was transferred to Aghaderg in February 1923. He remained there for 11 years and in October 1934 became Curate at Rathfriland, coming from there to Mayobridge in 1941. Having served in Mayobridge until 1952 he was appointed P.P. of Leitrim where he died on the 20th September 1963, collapsing on the Alter whilst celebrating Mass. He was buried in Leitrim on the 23rd September 1963.

Reverend Fr John Brannigan He was replaced in Mayobridge by the Revd Fr. John Brannigan who remained for 2 years before going to Burren. Fr. Brannigan was born in Carcullion in the Parish of Clonduff on New Years day 1903. He studied at Maynooth from 1922 until 1926 when he entered the Irish College in Rome, and was ordained there on the 23rd February 1926. Returning to Ireland he was Curate in Upper Drumgooland from August 1929 until January 1931, when he was transferred to Dunmore. He went to Ballela in November 1936 and to Derrytrasna in February 1941 where he ministered until November 1952, when he became Curate of Mayobridge. His stay in Mayobridge was of short duration, leaving in June 1954 to serve in Burren where he ministered until April 1959. He was appointed Parish Priest of Aghaderg on the 15th April 1959, but due to ill-health resigned from that Parish on the 27th of February 1961. Having spent a period of time convalescing he went on a temporary mission to San Diego in California in December 1961. He died whilst on holiday in New York on the 15th October 1962. His funeral took place in San Diego.

Reverend Fr Emmett Devlin The Revd Fr. Emmett Devlin was our next Curate. He was born in the U.S.A., but at an early age came with his parents to live in Cabra in Clonduff Parish. He studied and was ordained at Maynooth in 1936. For 5 years he was on a Temporary mission in the Diocese of Southwark and on his return from England was Chaplain to the Mercy Convent in Warrenpoint for 3 months. In June 1941, he was appointed Curate in Gargory, where he ministered until 1943, and then moved to Ballela, serving there for 12 years. He came to Mayobridge in 1955 and proved a very capable and much loved Priest. Sadly he died on the 27th June 1959 of a heart attack and is buried in Mayobridge.

Reverend Fr James McCartan The Revd Fr. James McCartan arrived in Mayobridge as Curate on the 21st September 1959 to begin a seven year ministry in this district. It was with his encouragement and blessing that St. Patrick's Youth Club was brought to fruition in 1965, and the Club's activities began in the Parochial Hall when its structure was strenuously tested on many occasions. He was appointed Parish Priest of Annaclone on 8th November 1966. On the 19th December 1976, he took time off to convalesce after a bout of ill-health. He was a native of the Parish of Lower Drumgooland and was educated at St. Colman's College, Newry, going from there to Maynooth where he was ordained by Dr. Neville on the 21st June 1936. He was on a temporary mission to Nigeria with St. Patrick's Society, Kiltegan for 4 years. On his re-call to Dromore Diocese, he was appointed Chaplain to the Nuns in Cabra Convent on the 27th April 1941. He became Curate in Donaghmore on the 2nd September 1946. He moved to Derrytrasna in November 1952 where he ministered until his appointment to Mayobridge. He died on the 12th November 1978 and is buried in Annaclone. In the interim period between Fr. Devlin's death and Fr. McCartan's appointment, the late Fr. Malachy Finnegan, ministered in Mayobridge.

Reverend Fr Christopher Murray The Revd Fr. Christopher Murray was appointed to Mayobridge on the 10th November 1966 and served until the 18th October 1967. He was born in Stranooden Co. Monaghan and received his early education at St. McCartan's College in Monaghan. He later studied at St. Colman’s College, Newry and at Maynooth. He was ordained by Dr. Mulhearn in Newry Cathedral on the 21st June 1942. He was on a temporary mission in Southwark Diocese from 1942 until 1946, when he returned to the Diocese and was appointed Assistant Priest in Banbridge from 13th December 1946 until the 6th June 1951 when he became Curate in Banbridge and he continued his ministry in Banbridge until being appointed to Gilford on the 21st September 1959. On leaving Mayobridge he was appointed Priest in Charge of Craigavon on the 17th October 1967. He later became the first Parish Priest of the newly formed Parish of Moyarty in Craigavon on the 3rd November 1971. He saw the Parish grow from having a few people to what it is now, a Parish of some 6,500 parishioners with 5 Priests, 2 large primary schools, Lismore Comprehensive school, a Parochial Hall and the new St. Anthony's Church. He was appointed P.P. of Lurgan, and Vicar General of the Diocese on the 17th January 1980. He took a well earned retirement on the 11th September 1992 and resided in Laurencetown prior to his death. Incidentally he was also a member of the Newry and District Camogie Committee along with Fr. Mick McCartan in the mid forties.

Reverend Fr Loughlin McAleavey The Curate in the Mayobridge immediately before it was created a Parish was the Revd Fr. Loughlin McAleavey, a native of Stang, Cabra, in Clonduff Parish. He was appointed to Mayobridge on the 11th October 1967 and remained with us for 15 years before being appointed P.P. Aghaderg. He engrossed him in both the spiritual and social needs of the Community, and was Chairman of the Youth Club Committee during the crucial negotiations with the Dept of Education and the S.E.L.B, prior to the erection of the new Youth Club premises. A very keen G.A.A. supporter, having played for Clonduff in his youth, he was present at most games in which Mayobridge were involved. Even after he was transferred to Aghaderg, he rarely missed attending Mayobridge games. He was a very pleasant personality, rarely to be seen without a smile on his face. He was honoured by Pope John Paul II, with the title of Domestic Prelate for his work with the Diocesan Lourdes Committee. He was educated at St. Colman's, Newry, later at Maynooth and Dromantine Colleges, before being ordained in Newry Cathedral on the 13th June 1948. He was on a temporary mission at St. Matthews Diocese of Newcastle for 3 years. Recalled on the 1st April 1951, he was C.C. in Tullylish for 3 months when he moved to Lurgan on the 17th July for 16 years. Endowed with a fine singing voice, used throughout the Diocese at Liturgical events, he was heavily involved with the Lurgan Operatic Society during his time in Lurgan. Having ministered at Aghaderg for ten and a half years, he died suddenly and totally unexpectedly on the 29th July 1993 and is buried in Loughbrickland Cemetery.

Reverend Fr Tom McConville Fr. Tom McConville came to Mayobridge as Curate on the 30th December 1982 and was appointed Parish Priest of St. Patrick's Clonallon on the 26th January 1984. A letter from the most Revd to the Parishioners of the newly formed Parish reads as follows:

My Dear People, After I had considered a number of factors concerning the Parish of Clonallon such:- the increase of population in the Parish, particularly in the Warrenpoint area; the nature and size of the Burren and Mayobridge areas, each having well communities, who wish to form their own Parish; the recommendation for the Diocesan Council of Priests; I have decided, after consultation with the Diocesan Chapter to establish Burren and Mayobridge as Independent Parishes. The following is an extract from the decree setting up this area as a new area.

A new Parish shall be erected in the district of Mayobridge to be known as Saint Patrick's Clonallon, consisting of the of Aughnagun, Ballydulaney, Ballyvalley, Bavan, Cabragh, Carnmeen, Carrickcrossan, Croan, Cullion, Edentrumley, Mayo and the part of Tamnaharry which lies north of a line joining the point where the townlands of Tamnaharry, Aughnagun and Milltown meet to the point known as Carnane and Slieve Carnane on the border of Tamnaharry and Clontifleece townlands, together with that portion of Carnany which lies near Mayobridge, divided from the other part of Carnany townland which shall remain in Drumgath Parish, by a line drawn from Bavan bridge, (in Bavan townland) across Carnany townland to the point on the Leode road where the road crosses the border between Leode town land and Ballydulaney townland, which said line is more particularly delineated on the accompanying map. With these townlands shall be included the Church of St. Patrick in Mayo townland, which henceforward is to be the Parish Church of the new Parish, together with the Parochial House across the road and the land attached to it with all property including the school, owned up to now by the Parish of Clonallon, in the area designated.

Fr. Thomas McConville has been appointed as the first Parish Priest of the Parish of St. Patrick's, Clonallon by the following decree.

GREETINGS AND BLESSINGS to our Beloved brother Priest, the Very Revd Thomas McConville.

As a new Parish has been erected, to be known as St. Patrick's Clonallon, and since according to the norm of Canon 521, it is clear to us that you have the required qualities of good morals, sound doctrine, zeal for souls, prudence, and the other virtues necessary for the wise direction of this parish; We hereby appoint you Parish Priest of St. Patrick's, Clonallon, according to Canon Law, and we enjoin on you the zealous care of souls to be exercised under the authority of the local Ordinary. As proof of this, we have ordered this letter of ours stamped with the Episcopal seal to be handed over. Given at the Bishop's House, Newry, On this the 26th day of January, in the year of our Lord, One thousand nine hundred and eighty four.

 FRANCIS GERARD BROOKS

Fr. Tom was indeed endowed with an abundance of virtues, which he daily and diligently practiced in his efforts to bring us closer to God. His legacy is still fondly remembered in Mayobridge, he was indeed a ‘saintly man of God’. Memories abound of his loving care of the people and his great love of Irish music, culture, and the little book of jokes he would produce at many a function. Many a story is still fondly recalled of his musical attributes ‘at the point on the 15th August’.

He was a native of Drumlough in the parish of Drumgath. He was educated at St. Colman's College, Newry and progressed to Maynooth to complete his Priestly studies, where he was ordained by Dr. McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin on the 20th June 1948. He ministered on a temporary mission in the Diocese of Northampton from 1948 until 1952, and in the Arch-Diocese of Armagh during 1952-3. He was appointed C.C. at Newry on the 2nd November 1953. He moved to Kilwalin on the 1st October 1961 and to Dunmore on the 22nd September 1963. He ministered in Dunmore until the 17th October 1967 when he was transferred to Derrymacash. In November 1971, he was appointed Curate in Derrytrasna and came to serve in Warrenpoint on the 5th July 1977, and finally arrived with us on the 30th December 1982. He would have joked about being the last curate in Mayobridge and being the first parish priest of St Patrick’s. Fr. McConville continued as Parish Priest until the summer of 2000. He retired, at that point, after eighteen years of dedicated service to the Mayobridge people. The highly respected pastor had continued to serve, in his retirement, in the neighbouring parish of Drumgath until his death on 3rd January 2006.