Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher celebrates ‘once-in-a-lifetime-priest’ Fr Eddie Gallagher

Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher, TD, has paid tribute to Fr Eddie Gallagher following his retirement. 

Fr Eddie's retirement celebration took place in St Bridget’s Church, Leitir, after 48 years in the priesthood. He was ordained in 1977 at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Glenfin, by Bishop Anthony McFeely. 

Fr Eddie has served in seven parishes across the Diocese of Raphoe: Gweedore (1977–1979); Tory Island (1979–1980); Dungloe (1980–1982); Glencolmcille (1982–1985); Tory Island again (1985–1986); Glencolmcille again (1986–1989); Leitir (Lettermacaward) (1989–1993); Parish Priest of Carrick (1993–2008); Parish Priest of Kilcar (2008–2021); and a Return to Leitir (2021–2024). 

The Mass was celebrated by his long-time friend and fellow priest, Fr Pádraig Ó Baoighill, and concelebrated by fourteen clergy, including Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, Diocesan Administrator, along with priests from various parishes where Fr Eddie served. Among them was Fr Johnny Moore, Parish Priest of Templecrone, based in Dungloe.

“Fr Eddie is a once-in-a-lifetime priest,” The Fianna Fáil TD said. “He is the man you and all of us would turn to when in need of support and help. No better person to have by your side when you or your family are experiencing illness or bereavement - his constant and total devotion to helping people is legendary. 

“He, on many occasions, got a call from myself asking for guidance. There was never such a thing as out of hours or holidays for Fr Eddie - his vocation was total and complete. His religious devotion was total and devout. A man of immense faith 

“Yet, for us in the political life, he had an equal commitment to getting things done within the different communities he served, to helping people with housing, medical cards, road, and planning - indeed, everything possible one could think about. 

“Fr. Eddie was not a man for text messages, so the handwritten note would be dispatched to me, followed swiftly by a personal call on his earlier note sent.  He had a remarkable work ethic - he was old school, nothing was too much and certainly nothing, and I mean nothing, was impossible to achieve 

"Fr Eddie’s legacy is to be seen in every Parish he served - leaving behind him a solid church graveyard, community Hall and facilities. The most he always pushed in life was the development of our national schools - I recall a funeral I attended in Carrick in 2008 - before I knew it, I was in Fr Eddie’s kitchen sorting out a two-room extension and yes! Delivered within months. 

"Fr Eddie also spent a great part of his life fundraising. He was a firm supporter of sending our youth to Lourdes, and each year he raised money to send of number of our young to Lourdes. He was also a great supporter of the late Brother Kevin Crowley, and each Christmas, Fr Eddie would fundraise for Brother Crowley and his worthy causes.

"Indeed, not as well known, but Fr. Eddie each year would send mass stipends to priests in less well-off countries and areas across the world. His good deeds we never restricted to his home parishes.  In our lifetimes, we are lucky to have had people such as Fr Eddie - the likes of which make real and positive change, improve people’s lives, leave better, stronger communities, and always strengthen our faiths in so doing. 

“We wish Fr Eddie a long and happy retirement. He has deserved his days of rest, content knowing he has done his best  - from Gweedore, Dungloe, Glencolmcille, Tory Island, Kilcar and here in Leitir. His work is done ..I was always proud to have Fr Eddie as a friend - true and loyal.”