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Garvagh’s friendship with Glenullin goes from strength to strength

The Rector of Errigal and Desertoghill, Rev Paul Whittaker, and the Parish Priest of Errigal, Fr Brendan Crowley, at the Blessing of the Shamrock ceremony in Glenullin.
The Rector of Errigal and Desertoghill, Rev Paul Whittaker, and the Parish Priest of Errigal, Fr Brendan Crowley, at the Blessing of the Shamrock ceremony in Glenullin.

A bowl of traditional Irish Stew was on the menu at an annual ‘Blessing of the Shamrock’ celebration at Glenullin Community Centre last week, which was organised jointly by St Paul’s Church of Ireland, Garvagh, and St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Glenullin. 

The Rector of Errigal and Desertoghill, Rev Paul Whittaker, said the annual service – which alternates between the parishes – had grown hugely in popularity since it started in 2012, and had now become a firm fixture in both churches’ annual calendar. 

There was a new face at this year’s event as Rev Whittaker was joined by the Parish Priest of Errigal, Fr Brendan Crowley, who was appointed to the position in September. 

The evening began with the piping in of the shamrock by local piper Dessie Davidson. The sprigs were then blessed by the two clergymen before being distributed to members of both parishes as well as visitors.

This year’s guest speaker, Omagh firefighter and lay preacher Paddy Quinn, recounted his personal faith journey to the scores of people present. Paddy, a former Tyrone gaelic footballer, was baptised a Roman Catholic but joined the Church of Ireland in adulthood.

The evening included hymns performed by the St Paul’s music group, traditional music from the group Tigh Tara and Irish dancing. Gerard O’Kane, from the Glenullin GAA club, thanked local businesses for sponsoring the event and those in attendance for supporting it.

  • Mrs Carol Whittaker on left and Rev Paul Whittaker (right) talking to Gerard O'Kane (centre) of Glenullin GAA club.
  • Left to right: Gerard O'Kane (Glenullin GAA club), Fr Brendan Crowley (PP Errigal), Paddy Quinn (guest speaker) and Rev Paul Whittaker (Rector of Errigal and Desertoghill) at the St Patrick's Celebration event in Glenullin.

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