Pat Spillane rates Clonmany as a 20 minute Mass-terstroke

Clonmany parishioners have been given a heavenly boost this week after Kerry GAA legend Pat Spillane declared their morning Mass is one of the best in the country and for a very specific reason, as it’s short and sweet.

The eight-time All-Ireland winner made the light-hearted revelation during an appearance on The Tommy Tiernan Show on RTÉ One on Saturday night,  where he spoke candidly about his sporting life, punditry career, and enduring commitment to his faith.

Since Covid, Spillane explained, he has made a habit of tuning into live-streamed Masses from around Ireland, developing what he jokingly described as an expert eye for “where’s the good Mass and where’s the bad Mass.”

According to the Kerryman, the key factor often comes down to time. He tends to steer clear of big towns and cathedrals, where younger canons “on the way up” can deliver longer sermons. 

Instead, he opts for more remote parishes where the service is concise and allows him to get on with his day. “I got to random places like Clonmany in Donegal, it does a nice morning Mass, it’s about 20 minutes,” which drew laughter from the host Tommy Tiernan. 

“Saint Brendan’s Church is another one, and Fr Liam in Sneem. They are my morning Masses.”

While Spillane values a quality service, he admitted he does not wish to spend half the day in church. When unable to attend in person, he is more than happy to log in virtually, even combining prayer with exercise. On one occasion, he completed a 35-minute session on his exercise bike while following an online Mass.

When his wife Rosarii, who had attended church in person, suggested the two experiences were not quite equivalent, Spillane delivered a characteristically sharp reply. “The only difference between you and me was that my legs were moving and yours weren’t!”

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Parishioners in Clonmany were delighted with the national shout-out, and the praise has already prompted a generous invitation from Ballyliffin TownHouse Hotel & Spa.

In a message shared on social media, a spokesperson for the hotel said, “Thank you, Pat Spillane, for your kind words and letting people know how special the Clonmany Mass is. We would like to offer you and Rosarii a complimentary two-night stay here at the Ballyliffin Townhouse & Spa. Come and enjoy Mass in person and see our beautiful village. We look forward to welcoming you to Ballyliffin, Clonmany, and the surrounding areas.”