'Sad day for parish' as Galway priest says goodbye after 20 years

It was described as a “sad day for the parish” as one Galway priest said goodbye to his parishioners after two decades.

Father Kieran O Rourke, Parish Priest of Woodford and Looscaun, is moving onto new pastures after 20 years in the community - becoming the new Parish Priest of Eyrecourt; Clonfert; Meelick; Parish Priest of Lusmagh, Episcopal Chaplain at Emmanuel House of Providence and Rector of the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Clonfert.

A farewell mass was held for Fr O’Rourke on Sunday August 30 which was “packed to the rafters” as people filled out the church to say their goodbyes to the man who will be “Woodford’s loss but certainly another parish’s gain”.

Paying tribute and snapping the occasion, local photographer Joe Crean wished Fr O’Rourke “every happiness and blessing in the next chapter”.

He said: “A sad day for the parish. The church was packed to the rafters today - a fitting tribute to Fr Kieran and to the 20 years he has given to the people of this parish.

“We first got to know Fr Kieran through our work photographing weddings, and over the years we had the pleasure of working alongside him on many special days.

“He was always warm, welcoming and kind, and he had a lovely way of putting couples and families at ease.

“When you work in weddings, you get to see people in very real moments - nervousness, excitement, laughter and emotion, and Fr Kieran always brought a calm and reassuring presence to the ceremony.”

Joe Crean continued: “He understood that a wedding day was about the couple and their families, and he always helped make those moments feel special. But today was a reminder that his contribution to Woodford went far beyond weddings.

“For 20 years, he has been there for the people of the parish through baptisms, communions, confirmations, funerals, family celebrations and difficult times.

“He also guided the community through Covid and all the uncertainty and isolation that came with it.

“Seeing the church so full today said everything.”

He finished by saying: “It showed just how much Fr Kieran has meant to this community and how greatly he will be missed.

“From our own perspective, it has been a genuine pleasure to have worked alongside him over the years and to have witnessed the warmth and kindness he showed to so many couples and families.

“As Fr Kieran moves on to his new parish, we simply want to wish him every happiness and blessing in the next chapter. Woodford’s loss will certainly be another parish’s gain. Thank you, Fr Kieran, and very best wishes from all of us.”