Bishop Philip Boyce among Donegal clergy marking major anniversaries in 2026
Bishop Emeritus Philip Boyce and the retired Rathmullan priest Fr James Friel are each celebrating their Diamond Jubilee years and are joined in reaching landmarks by some colleagues from across the Raphoe Diocese
Bishop Emeritus of Raphoe, Philip Boyce, is among several Donegal clerics marking milestone anniversaries this year.
Bishop Boyce and the retired Rathmullan priest Fr James Friel are each celebrating their Diamond Jubilee years and are joined in reaching landmarks by some colleagues from across the Raphoe Diocese.
A celebration Mass to mark the 60th anniversary of Bishop Boyce’s priestly ordination will take place on Sunday, May 10, at St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny.
After joining the Discalced Carmelites in 1959 and following periods of study in Dublin and Rome, he was ordained in April 1966.
He was ordained at the International Carmelite College in Rome.
Having been born in Derry, he was raised in Downings and following his ordination he taught at the Pontifical Theological Faculty of the Carmelites in Rome.
In 1995, he was ordained as Bishop of Raphoe by Cardinal Jorge María Mejía.
He announced his resignation in 2015, when he turned 75, although Pope Francis asked him to continue in ministry. In 2018 he was appointed Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Dromore, a role he held for 13 months.
Fr Friel, a native of Kerr’s Bay, Rathmullan, is also toasting his Diamond Jubilee this year.
He was ordained in December 1966 at Newry Cathedral by then Bishop of Dromore, Eugene O’Doherty.
Fr Friel was ordained alongside 10 other young priests for the African Missionary Society and is now Pastor Emeritus in Rathmullan.
Killybegs parish priest Fr Colm O Gallchoir and the retired Fr Danny McBrearty, the former parish priest in Cllr, are celebrating the golden jubilees of their respective ordinations this year,
Killymard parish priest Fr Hames Sweeney and Fr Seamus Dagens, who has officially retired but still serves as an Acting Priest (AP), are marking 40 years since they were ordained.
Gaoth Dobhair PP Fr Brian O Fearraigh and Ballyshannon PP Fr Rory Brady become silver jubilarians this year.