Dean Austin Laverty: ‘A man of great faith, who was deeply committed to his Church’

Dean Austin Laverty, one of the most senior clerics in Donegal, has died.

For over 60 years, Fr Laverty served in a variety of roles across the Raphoe Diocese following his ordination in 1962.

A native of Stranorlar, Fr Laverty was born in 1937 and he served most recently as Pastor Emeritus in Ardara.

He was the parish priest in Ardara from 1992 until his retirement in 2022. He passed away, unexpectedly, on Saturday.

Previously, he was parish priest in Glenfin and he also served in the Conwal and Leck parish in Letterkenny.

In June 1962, he was one of four Donegal-born priests ordained by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. Fr Patrick McCafferty from Kilmacrennan, Fr Michael Sweeney from Fanad and Fr Seamus Meehan from Falcarragh were also raised to the priesthood on the same Sunday.

The following evening, he was met on the outskirts of Stranorlar by torchbearers and there were, reported the Donegal Democrat, “well over 100 motorcars in the procession”, which was noted as “one of the biggest the town has ever seen”.

In his early years, he was educated at Stranorlar National School and St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny. While at St Eunan’s, he captained a Gaelic football team to win the Rannafast Cup in 1955.

After a spell in St Patrick’s College in Maynooth and his ordination, he was appointed to the teaching staff at St Eunan’s and he was appointed as the school president in 1971 - a role he held until he was appointed the Administrator of the Cathedral parish in 1982.

He was the parish priest in Glenfin from 1985 until he moved to Ardara in 1992 - where he spent the last 33 years.

His commitment to the Church was further recognised when he was appointed Canon of the Cathedral Chapter in 2002 and Dean of the Cathedral Chapter in 2016.

Even after his retirement, Fr Laverty continued to aid parish priest Fr Aodhán Cannon.

The Raphoe Diocese said in a statement: “Dean Austin’s life was one of faithful service, dedication, and love for the Church. His many decades of priestly ministry touched countless lives, and even in retirement, his generosity and commitment to his vocation never wavered. His presence, wisdom, and kindness will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Former Donegal GAA Chairman John McConnell, on behalf of the Ardara GAA Club - of which Dean Laverty was patron - said the former parish priest was “a calming influence to many particularly on the numerous occasions when tragedy has come to visit families in the parish during that time”.

Mr McConnell said: “The Dean has overseen many milestones locally, including the Centenary of the Church of the Holy Family in 2003, and probably his proudest accomplishment, The opening of the Parish Centre in 2011, which has been such a huge addition to life in the Parish since. In all his time as Parish Priest, he never asked his people for financial support for the church, but was quietly proud of the fact that his parish was always one of the best supported financially in the Diocese. 

“His words of solace at times of deep sadness for families on the death of a loved one was always well received, and some of his homilies at funerals over the years will long be remembered by the families affected. 

“Dean Laverty was a man of great faith, who was deeply committed to his Church and its traditional values. 

“In Ardara he will be remembered for steering his parish wisely and well for over 30 years. This Parish and the Diocese of Raphoe are the poorer for his passing."

Parishioners in the neighbouring parish of Iniskeel have extended sympathy, saying: “We offer our condolences as well to Fr Aodhán, his successor in Ardara Parish,who showed him great kindness, assistance and courtesy over the years and to Josephine, his faithful and caring housekeeper.

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“We extend our sincere sympathy also to all the parishioners of our good neighbour in Ardara Parish and to all the many priests and people who served with ‘The Dean’ in various capacities throughout his long and enduring years.”

Dean Laverty is survived by his brother Eunan, sister-in-law Teresa, nieces Thérèse and Roisin, grandnephews, grandniece, and great-grandnephew. 

His loss is also deeply felt by his devoted housekeeper, Josephine Maguire, his many friends, former parishioners, and fellow clergy.

Dean Laverty’s funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, February 18, at 12 noon in the Church of the Holy Family, Ardara, followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery.