Click on the arrows to go through the photos by Thomas Gallagher Canon Denis McGettigan, the former parish priest of Raphoe, celebrated the diamond jubilee of his priestly ordination on Friday night. A huge crowd converged on St Eunan’s Church in Raphoe as ‘Fr Dinny’ marked the big day by celebrating Mass - exactly 60 years to the day from when he entered the priesthood. Canon McGettigan retired in 2018 after being the parish priest in Raphoe since 1993, when he succeeded Canon Patrick Deegan, who became Dean of the Cathedral Chapter. The then Fr McGettigan, who originally hailed from Kilmacrennan, was the PP in Carrick before being transferred to Raphoe, where he still lives as Pastor Emeritus. Mass was concelebrated by Monsignor Dan Carr - ordained on the same day as Canon McGettigan and who recently marked his own diamond jubilee - and Archdeacon Willie McMenamin, Pastor Emeritus in Raphoe - who recently marked the sapphire jubilee of his own ordination, 65 years ago. Raphoe Diocesan Administrator Monsignor Kevin Gillespie and Bishop Emeritus of Raphoe Philip Boyce were among those present with several priests from across the Raphoe Diocese also in attendance with Canon McGettigan’s family. Parishioners from across the parish, which takes in Raphoe, Convoy and Drumkeen, turned out in large numbers with people also coming from neighbouring parishes and churches. Canon McGettigan had a special mention for his long-time friend and colleague, Monsignor Carr, Pastor Emeritus of neighbouring St Johnston. The two were classmates at St Eunan’s College, starting in 1953, and were ordained on the same afternoon, June 20, 1965, in Maynooth by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid. “We celebrate our diamond jubilee in this jubilee year, a Holy year, a special time for graces and blessings from God,” Canon McGettigan said. “It is a very special evening for myself and my good friend, Fr Dan. This jubilee time is a time of special blessing.” Eight evenings previously, Monsignor Carr celebrated his
In pictures: 'A special evening' as Canon Denis McGettigan marks diamond jubilee
A huge crowd converged on St Eunan’s Church in Raphoe on Friday evening as ‘Fr Dinny’ marked the big day by celebrating Mass - exactly 60 years to the day from when the Kilmacrennan native entered the priesthood
13.
Click on the arrows to go through the photos by Thomas Gallagher
14.
Click on the arrows to go through the photos by Thomas Gallagher
15.
Click on the arrows to go through the photos by Thomas Gallagher
16.
Click on the arrows to go through the photos by Thomas Gallagher
