Inver missionary priest Fr James Anthony Boyle (82) deeply mourned by all who knew him in Mill Hill Missionaries

The death of Inver native, Fr James Anthony Boyle or 'Jimmy' as he was simply known by friends and colleagues in the Mill Hill Missionaries, has been met with great sadness in the locality and beyond. 

Aged 82, he passed away on Sunday in the family home after a lifetime of religious service, which had begun after his ordination in St. Agatha’s Church Clar, Donegal Town, in June of 1968.

James Anthony, or Jimmy as he was known in Mill Hill circles, was born on January 7, 1940 in the townland of Drimlatafin, Inver. He was the son of James Boyle, a farmer and Mary Boyle, née Meehan.

He had two brothers and six sisters. He was baptised and confirmed in his local parish of Frosses. At a young age Jimmy felt called to become a missionary priest with the Mill Hill Missionaries.

He enrolled as a student in St. Joseph’s College at Freshford, Kilkenny from 1957-1961.

From 1961 to 1964 Jimmy studied Philosophy and other subjects at University College Dublin. While living at Dartry House, Fr Boyle achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy.

In order to study theology and associated subjects, deceased travelled to Saint Joseph’s College, Mill Hill, London, England. He took the Perpetual Oath in the Chapel of St. Joseph’s College on May 1, 1967.

Just over a year later, on June 30, 1968 Fr Jimmy and Fr Maurice McGill were ordained together as priests at St. Agatha’s Church Clar, Donegal Town at the hands of Bishop Anthony MacFeely of the Diocese of Raphoe.

His first “Missionary” appointment took him back to his Alma Mater at Freshford. He worked as a teacher and was promoted to Assistant Headmaster.

In May 1979 he was granted permission to have a sabbatical year at Ann Arbor Michigan, USA. Just over a year later, in 1980, Jimmy was appointed to the Diocese of Buea in Cameroon, West Africa.

Just under ten years later, Fr Boyle was appointed for renewal at the Institute of St. Anselm in Margate, Kent, England, and then invited to join the staff there. Within a year he took up an appointment to the Mill Hill House at Courtfield, near Ross on Wye, Wales.

Keen to be more involved in parish pastoral ministry, he was given permission to work in the Diocese of Portsmouth, England from 1991 to July 2007, when he was appointed to Saint Mary’s Parish in Belfast, which the Mill Hill Missionary Society looked after.

Deceased then brought to St. Mary’s Parish his beautiful Gaelic language. In October, 2007 he had the opportunity of participating in the 65plus Seminar which took place in Rome in October 2007.

In June 2018 on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee, the General Council wrote, “Your willingness to uproot yourself and start all over again (in ministry) was in the true spirit of a true missionary. James, you can justifiably guard memories of a job well done over 50 years of loving service.”

As the Mill Hill Missionary Society handed over pastoral responsibility for St. Mary’s Parish, Belfast, Fr Boyle found his gifts and talents appreciated back in his home parish of Frosses.

He died this week at his family home and will be buried after the Funeral Mass in Frosses Cemetery on Wednesday, December 21.

Removal from Gallaghers Funeral Home, Station Road, Mountcharles took place on Monday evening (December 19), to his late residence (eircode F94 Y248).

Reposing there on Tuesday, December 20, from 2pm until 10pm.

Removal from there on Wednesday, December 21, going to the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Frosses, for 1pm funeral Mass, with burial afterwards in the adjoining churchyard.

A one way system will operate at the wake, entry at Inver bridge and exit on the Ardara or Glenties roads.