News
Fr Tom calls time after more than 50 years in the priesthood
FAMILY: At the Golden Jubilee celebration Mass for Fr Tom Looney at the Prince of Peace Church Fossa last June were from left: James Looney, Fr Donal Looney, Mary Looney, Fr Tom Looney and Sean Looney. Picture: Eamonn Keogh
By Sean Moriarty
Tributes have been paid to Canon Tom Looney who has announced his retirement from the priesthood after over 50 years of service.
Fr Tom served as the parish priest of Fossa since 2015 but his contribution to Killarney life stretches from London to Peru and back.
He announced his retirement via the Prince of Peace Church’s parish newsletter which, due to the current crisis, is only published online.
Fr Tom will turn 75 later this year but the double cancer survivor will continue to play a scaled-back role both in the parish and in the Diocese of Kerry.
“After my 41 years of Priestly Ministry in Kerry Diocese together with 10 years Overseas’ Mission in London and Peru I take this opportunity of expressing my sincerest míle, míle buíochas to all who have inspired, encouraged, accompanied and supported me since 1962 when I entered St Patrick’s College, Maynooth,” he said. “To all of you here in Fossa I offer my heartfelt gratitude and in particular since my surgery, Golden Jubilee and recovery journey last year.”
Last June he and his family celebrated his 50th anniversary in the priesthood.
After leaving St Patrick’s College in Maynooth his first role was as a chaplain to Irish Immigrants in the Wembley area of North London.
He is one of the founding members of the Killarney-London Reunion, another association that celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.
Cllr Donal Grady is another longstanding member of the same organisation.
“He was, and still is, highly respected over there. He did some wonderful work, not just for Kerry emigrants but for Irish immigrants as a whole,” Cllr Grady told the Killarney Advertiser.
Fr Tom was the guest of honour at the Killarney-London Reunion in the Crown Hotel Cricklewood last October.
“I would like to wish Fr Tom all the best on his retirement,” said long-time Killarney-London Reunion committee member Noel O’Sullivan. “We had the pleasure of having Fr Tom at our 50th-anniversary dinner in Cricklewood last October and I would like to thank him for all he has done for the reunion over the years. As a founding member, he has made an enormous contribution to Kerry life in London.”
Eric Jenkinson wins camera club award with Dingle landscape
The stunning landscapes of Kerry continue to inspire members of the Killarney Camera Club, with this month’s themed competition, titled “Kerry Landscape,” producing a high standard of entries.
Following last week’s feature on the unrestricted category winner, Noel O’Neill, this week showcases the winning photograph in the Novice Category by Eric Jenkinson.
His striking photograph, titled “Wild Atlantic Way,” impressed the judges with its colour, composition, and sense of place. The image captures the rugged beauty of the Dingle Peninsula, featuring Clogher Beach in the foreground and the iconic Three Sisters landmarks in the background.
Eric’s success highlights his photographic talent and his appreciation of the county’s natural scenery along the Wild Atlantic Way coastline.
End of an era as Killarney dentist Brendan Coffey retires
It marks the end of an era for local dentistry as Brendan Coffey prepares to retire after a 38-year career in Killarney.
Brendan returned from England in 1988, buying a house on New Street from Paddy Doyle and converting it into the Killarney Dental Clinic. The practice officially opened its doors on Friday May 13, 1988.
“As I had started the surgery from scratch, I had no idea when or if my first patient would come,” Brendan said. “I didn’t have to wait long, my neighbour Johnny Healy from Healy’s shop in New Street arrived first thing and gave me my start.”
In a fitting completion of the circle, Johnny is booked in as Brendan’s final patient on Wednesday of this week.
Brendan thanked the community and his former colleagues. “The people of Killarney and all around have been the most wonderful, loyal, and friendly people to have met and have the privilege to treat for the last 38 years,” he said. “I would like to give special mention to my wife Brenda, who acted as a hugely popular practice manager for many years.”
In October 2022, Brendan’s son Jack and his wife Emma took over the practice before expanding the business to a state-of-the-art facility at the Reeks Gateway.
“I feel a huge sense of satisfaction and pride in what the practice has become,” Brendan added. “So, I will sign off by saying: easy on the sweets, give up the fags, and don’t eat for two hours.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for a full story on Brendan’s career.
Eric Jenkinson wins camera club award with Dingle landscape
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