New parish priest is set for Downpatrick

New parish priest is set for Downpatrick

16 July 2025

A NEW parish priest is coming to Downpatrick as part of changes announced last week by the Bishop of Down and Connor.

The Very Rev Eugene O’Neill (58), who is presently at St Patrick’s in Belfast, is set to succeed Canon John Murray, who, after more than ten years leading the parish, will become Pastor Emeritis.

Canon Murray is expected to remain at the parochial house, Saul, from where he will assist the Downpatrick family of parishes.

Fr O’Neill is originally from Co Antrim and previously served in Crossgar and Killyleagh parishes.

Bishop Alan McGuckian also formally appointed the Very Rev Derek Kearney SMA as administrator of the parishes of Kilmore and Killyleagh.

The changes come as Fr Gerry McCloskey, parish priest of Dunsford and Ardglass, celebrates 40 years of priesthood – around half spent in Belfast and half in County Down.

A mass to mark the occasion was held recently in St Nicholas’ Church.

“I don’t know where the time went,” Fr McCloskey told The Irish Catholic. “I really can’t believe it is 40 years. I have enjoyed every minute of it.”

Fr McCloskey was ordained at St Peter’s Cathedral by Cardinal Cathal Daly in 1985, and his first posting was to Saul. He also served in parishes in north and west Belfast before his move to his present post in 

Ardglass about 12 years ago.

“I know this area and so coming back to this area was like coming home,” he remarked.

Fr McCloskey is looking forward to study and sabbatical for a few months, before returning to full time ministry in his parish.

“I’ve been in non-stop ministry for 40 years apart from the odd holiday. I need a rest and renewal and to be refreshed,” he said.

Fr McCloskey stressed the importance of enthusiasm in his call, a word he says comes from the Greek, meaning “God within.”

He is also grateful for his vocation and says he has particularly enjoyed meeting people and being with them in their joys and sorrows. 

Asked if he had anything to add, he declared: “We are looking for new recruits. We are all getting a bit long in the tooth!”

He said he believed one of the reasons men have not heard God’s call to the priesthood is that they have not been evangelised. “They have not encountered Christ.”

He said the only way to know what God wants is to know God and he said that was true for men and women who are called to marriage also. “People don’t realise that God can call you into marriage.”

Meave Gilchrist, chair of Dunsford and Ardglass Parish Pastoral Council thanked all those who helped organise the celebration of his ordination.