The late Fr Seamus Meehan ‘had a real heart to be with people’

Very Rev Fr Seamus Meehan, who was described as a “wonderful priest,” has been laid to rest at Maghery Cemetery.

The Requiem Mass of Fr Meehan, who passed away peacefully at Dungloe Community Hospital on Saturday morning, was held in St Crona’s Church. 

Fr Meehan dedicated 64 years of his life to serving in the priesthood across the Diocese of Raphoe. Originally from Falcarragh, Fr Meehan resided on Dungloe Main Street as he took up the post at Templecrone Parish. During this time, he also served as the chaplain at Dungloe Community Hospital. 

“Fr Seamus was a wonderful priest,” Templecrone Parish Priest Fr Johnny Sweeney said. “He exemplified for me what it is to be a good priest.”

“What resonated with me was the beautiful words of Pope Paul VI ‘Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers and if he does listen to teachers it is because they are witnesses’, this sums up Fr Seamus. He did that, he followed on preaching the gospel and if you must, use words.

“He had a real heart to be with people and he brought himself to people at the moments in their lives when they wanted a priest to be with them. He had wise words and care to offer them and that seems to have really struck home with people. The presence of so many people in the church this afternoon is a testament to that.

“In the parishes he worked in, which was some time ago, there was great sadness at his passing. They, too, had the great privilege of experiencing that great ministry he had to people - quiet, solid, prayerful. For me, personally, it was an absolute privilege to be able to minister to him in the last stages of his life. It really impacted me and touched me. 

“We will not see his light again - he really was a once-off. He is and will always be missed. We are sad at his passing, but there is joy in it too. I know he has gone home, to be with the lord, our Lady, the saints and the angels.”

Fr Meehan’s ministerial journey began in Kilmacrenan in 1962, then Gaoth Dobhair a year later; Edeninfagh, Glenties in 1965; Glenfin in 1967, and Tory Island in 1969. After further service in Carrigart in 1970, Stranorlar in 1982, and Annagry three years later, Fr Meehan settled into his final post in Dungloe in 1991. 

He served as the Parish Priest of Templecrone until his retirement in 2012, marking exactly 50 years since he first answered the call to his first parish. In June 2022, he celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination.

Having spent three years as curate from 1998 to 2001 with Fr Meehan, Bishop-elect Niall Coll, who will be formally installed as the new Bishop of Raphoe on Sunday, paid tribute.

He said: “Fr Seamus Meehan passed from this life to the next suddenly and unexpectedly. While his death has brought sorrow and shock, his death assures us it's not the end but a doorway 

“We will remember Seamus Meehan for his deep faith and we are all the better for having known him. Through his life and priesthood, he revealed the kindness of god. He had a mild and unassuming manner, living the humility of the gospel.”

Predeceased by his brother Sean, sisters Nora and Kathleen, Fr Meehan will be sadly missed by his nieces Carmel, Lorna, and Kathryn, nephews James and Pauric and all his cousins. Fr Meehan will also be missed by the wider parish community.