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Native Priests of Greencastle Parish
We are grateful to Lucy McCullagh for compiling much of the information included below.

We acknowledge with great appreciation, permission to reproduce information recorded in The Clergy of the Derry Diocese – An Index [Second Edition] by Bishop Edward Daly and Fr. Kieran Devlin, published by Four Courts Press.

We are also grateful for the information supplied by Edward J. Long, (Archivist and Historian of the Cathedral of the Diocese of Syracuse, New York), Monsignor Elvin Sunds (Vicar General of the Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi), Fr. Richard Somers (Pastor of the Parish of Greenville, Mississippi) and Fr. Donal Gillespie of the Archdiocese of Cardiff.

Note: Information marked with a * may be incorrect

Fr. Jeremiah Quinn

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 168)

FR. JEREMIAH QUINN

Born: 1811 in Broughderg

Ordained: 1st June, 1844 (Derry Diocese)

Appointments:

1844-1852 – Curate in Badoney Lower

1852-1884 – Curate in Clonca

1884-1885 – Parish Priest in Clonca

Died: 12th April, 1885

Buried: Aughacloy, Malin, Co. Donegal

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 168)

Fr. James Conway (I)

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 54)

FR. JAMES CONWAY (I)

Born: 1819 in Broughderg

Ordained: 29th May, 1847 (Derry Diocese)

Appointments:

1847-1848 – No record

1848-1852 – Curate in Badony Upper

1852-1855 – Curate in Limavady

1855-1857 – Curate in Ardstraw West

1857-1860 – Curate in Killyclogher

1860-1869 – Curate in Ballinascreen

1869-1877 – Curate in Buncrana

1877-1889 – Parish Priest in Burt, Inch and Fahan

Died: 21st June, 1889

Buried: Fahan, Co. Donegal

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 54)

Fr. James Conway (II)

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 55)

FR. JAMES CONWAY (II)

Born: 1839 in Broughderg

Ordained: 1869 in Carlow

Appointments:

1869-1877 – Curate in Ballinascreen

1877-1879 – Curate in Clonmany

1879-1887 – Curate in Badoney Lower

Died: 2nd October, 1897 in Greencastle, Co. Tyrone

Buried: Cranagh, Co. Tyrone

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 55)

Fr. Edward Morris
FR. EDWARD MORRIS

Worked in India and Borneo* alongside his brother Fr. Matthew Morris.

On returning to Ireland he visited his sister Peggy, a nun, in Liverpool and died there.

Fr. Matthew Morris
FR. MATTHEW MORRIS

Born in Carnanrancy around the time of the Great Famine (an Gorta Mór) in Ireland.*

Worked on the missions in India and was 99 years old when he died.

Brother of Fr. Edward Morris.

Fr. James Morris (I)

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 137)
Details may be confused with James Morris (II)

FR. JAMES MORRIS (I)

Born: 1851

Ordained: 1874

Appointments:

1875-1877 – Curate in Coleraine

1877-1887 – Curate in Limavady

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 137)

Details may be confused with James Morris (II)

Fr. Patrick Clarke

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 50)

FR. PATRICK CLARKE

Ordained: 1st July, 1877 in Maynooth(Derry Diocese)

Appointments:

1877-1878 – Curate in Badoney Lower

1878-1883 – Curate in Ballyscullion

1883-1884 – Curate in Malin

Died: 1888 in the United States of America

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 50)

Fr. James Morris (II)

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 55)

FR. JAMES MORRIS (II)

Born: 1854

Ordained: 1880 at the Irish College, Paris
(Derry Diocese)

Appointments:

1881-1882 – Curate in Buncrana

1882-1885 – Curate in Desertmartin

1885-1886 – Curate in Malin

1886-1887 – Curate in Donaghmore

1887-1903 – Curate in Greencastle

1903-1920 – Curate in Clonca (Malin)

1920-1926 – Curate in Donaghmore

Died: 12th December, 1926

Buried: Crossroads, Killygordon, Co. Donegal

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 55)

Details may be confused with James Morris (I)

Fr. Francis Keenan (I)

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 83)

FR. FRANCIS KEENAN (I)

Ordained: 24th June, 1894 in Maynooth

Appointments:

1894-1895 – Curate in Limavady

1895-1897 – Curate in Malin

1897-1899 – Curate in Culdaff

1899-1901 – Curate in Leckpatrick

1901-1907 – Absence due to ill health

1907-1910 – Curate in Lavey

1910-1912 – Curate in Iskaheen

Retired: 1912 due to ill health

Died: 19th September, 1940

Buried: Carndonagh, Co. Donegal

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 83)

Fr. Francis Keenan (II)
FR. FRANCIS KEENAN (II)

Born: Mullydoo Road, Formil, Co. Tyrone

Known locally as White Fr. Keenan

Thomas Keenan
THOMAS KEENAN
Born: 13th August, 1858 in Formil North
to Andrewand Mary Keenan (Any Jeanies)

Died: 3rd December, 1883

Buried: Pontifical Irish College, Rome

Formil (described as being in Lower Badoney according to the archives of the Pontifical Irish College in Rome. At that time Lower Badoney and Greencastle were united.

He received his classical education in Legcloughgin where a relative, Mr. Tracey was the teacher. He entered college in Rome on 26th October, 1879.

He received ‘tonsure, porter and lector’ on 8th June, 1882, but died while still a student and before he was ordained a priest.

Fr. Francis Fox

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 50)

FR. FRANCIS FOX

Born: Formil, Co. Tyrone

Ordained: 23rd June, 1895 (Derry Diocese)

Appointments:

1895-1897 – Curate in Iskaheen

1897-1900 – Curate at St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry

1900-1904 – Curate in Clonmany

1904-1912 – Curate in Knockmoyle

1912-1915 – Curate in Buncrana

1915-1920 – Curate in Doneyloop

1920-1922 – Curate in Sessiaghoneill

Died: 1st December, 1922

Buried: St. Patrick’s Church, Greencastle, Co. Tyrone

Renowned for his preaching

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 50)

Fr. Dan McCrea

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 103)

FR. DAN F. McCREA

Born: 1857 in Coneyglen, Co. Tyrone

Ordained: 1884 at the Pontifical Irish
College, Rome (Derry Diocese)

Appointments:

1884-1885 – Curate in Buncrana

1885-1890 – Curate at Termonamongan

1890-1894 – Curate in Limavady

1894-1896 – Curate in Coleraine

1896-1897 – Curate in Maghera

1897-1901 – Vice-Rector at Irish College, Rome

1901-1911 – Curate in Drumragh (Omagh)

1911-1951 – Parish Priest in Kilrea

Died: 11th January, 1951

Buried: Drumnagarner, Kilrea, Co. Derry

Scholarly man. Member of Royal Irish Academy. In 1895 he acted as secretary to the Irish Race Convention that met in Dublin to endeavour towards healing the Parnell split.

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 103)

Msgr. William Morris

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 137)
Information on appointments supplied by Edward J. Long (Archivist, Historian of the Cathedal) – Diocese of Syracuse, New York

MSGR. WILLIAM MORRIS

Born: 1888 in Carnanrancy, Co. Tyrone

Ordained: 21st June, 1914 in St. Patrick’s Church,
Maynooth, Co. Kildare

Appointments:

October, 1914 – Assistant at St. Patrick’s Church

in Oneida, New York

April, 1922 – St. Lucy’s Church in Syracuse,

New York

October 1923 – Pastor at St. Mary’s Church in

Cleveland, New York

24th November – St. Mary’s Church in Clinton,

New York

4th April – St. Paul’s Church in Binghampton,

New York

22nd March, 1956 – Elevated to Honorary Prelate (then called Domestic Prelate) by Pope Pius XII and given the title of Rt. Rev. Monsignor

Retired: 31st October to residence at St. Paul’s

Died: 27th July, 1973

Buried: Calvary Cemetery

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 137)

Information on appointments supplied by Edward J. Long (Archivist, Historian of the Cathedal) – Diocese of Syracuse, New York

Fr. John Morris

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 137)

FR. JOHN MORRIS

Born: 1888 in Crouck, Co. Tyrone

Ordained: 22nd June, 1913 in Maynooth, Co. Kildare

Died: 1st January, 1920

Buried: 113 miles north east of Christchurch in

Kaikoura, New Zealand

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 137)

Fr. Malachy Morris
FR. MALACHY MORRIS

Born: 12th December, 1907 in Cashel, Co. Tyrone

Ordained: 17th December, 1939

Died: 11th April, 1974 in Wilton, Co. Cork

Buried: Society of African Missions (SMA)
Cemetery of Wilton, Co. Cork

Fr. Henry Brendan Morris
FR. HENRY BRENDAN MORRIS
Born: 22nd October, 1914 in Cashel
to Solomon andMaria Morris (nee O’Doherty)

Educated: All Hallows College and Seminary, Dublin

Ordained: 10th July, 1938 by the Archbishop of Cardiff,
Most Rev. Francis Mostyn at St. Alban’s Church, Cardiff
(for the Archdiocese of Cardiff)

Appointments:

1938 – Curate in Our Lady Help of Christians, Newbridge

1941 – Curate in St. Mary’s, Merthyr Tydfil

1947 – Curate in St. Dyfrig’s, Treforest

1948 – Curate in St. Mary’s, Merthyr Tydfil

1955 – Parish Priest in Our Lady and St. Illtyd’s, Llantwit Mayor

1962 – Parish Priest in St. Peter’s, Bargoed

1964 – Parish Priest in St. Brigid’s, Crystal Glens, Cardiff

Died: 29th May, 1968 in St. Brigid’s, Cardiff

Buried: Cathay’s Cemetery, Cardiff

Ministered in South Wales for most of his life.

Built St. Brigid’s Church in Crystal Glens, Cardiff.

Brother of Sr. Francis Morris and Fr. Malachy Morris.

Fr. Ignatius Loughran

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 88)

FR. IGNATIUS LOUGHRAN

Born: 24th January, 1916 in Crouck

Ordained: 23rd March, 1940 in Basilica of St. John

Lateran, Rome (Derry Diocese)

Appointments:

1941 – On loan to the Diocese of Monterey / Fresno
Assistant Pastor in St. Louis, Obisipo – St. Joseph’s, Bakersfield – Hollistor – Delano – Hanford – Tipton – Carmel

1949 – Incardinated into the Diocese of Monterey / Fresno
Pastor in Carmel Valley – Seaside – Taft – Los Banos
– Sanger – Hilmar

Retired: 1987

Died: 23rd September, 1990

Buried: Turlock, California

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 88)

Fr. Patrick Bernard McCrea
FR. PATRICK BERNARD McCREA
Born: 14th August, 1916 in Coneyglen
to Jacob andMaria McCrea (nee Clarke)

Educated: 1936-1943 – Studied in Co. Carlow

Ordained: 1943 in Rome (Diocese of Down and Connor)

Appointments:

Ministered in several parishes including Rathlin Island and St. Malachy’s parish in Belfast.

Retired: 1992, from Ballintoy to live in Cranagh

Died: 17th March, 2008

Buried: St. Patrick’s Church, Greencastle, Co. Tyrone

Msgr. Michael Thomas Fox
MSGR. MICHAEL THOMAS FOX
Born: 12th August, 1918 in Cashel
to Michael andBrigid Fox (nee O’Hagan)

Educated: St. Patrick’s College, Co. Carlow

Ordained: 8th June, 1944 in St. Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan (Diocese of Nachez-Jackson, arriving there on 18th July, 1946)

Appointments:

18th July, 1946 –

Assistant Pastor in St. Paul Church, Vicksburg

14th October, 1946 –

Assistant Pastor in Our Lady of the Gulf, Bay St. Luis

21st November, 1948 –

Pastor in St. Ann Church, Lizana

15th March, 1956 –

Pastor in St. John Church, Biloxi

5th June, 1967 –

Pastor in St. Joseph Church, Greenville

8th Sepember, 1967 –

Dean, Episcopal Vicar and Consultor (3 year term)

31st January, 1969 –

Named Honourary Prelate of His Holiness Pope Paul VI

Died: 22nd June, 1969 in Cashel, Co. Tyrone

Buried: St. Patrick’s Church, Greencastle, Co. Tyrone

Fr. John McCullagh
FR. JOHN McCULLAGH

Born: 24th May, 1924

Ordained: 22nd June, 1952 in St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth

Appointments:

1952 – Assistant Priest in Greencastle

1953 – Curate in Mourne

1953-1960 – Curate in Lavey

1960-1963 – Curate in Craigbane

1963-1966 – Curate in Dregish

1966-1970 – Curate in Termonamongan

1970-1980 – Curate in Sessiaghoneill

1980-1988 – Parish Priest in Banagher

Died: 12th April, 1988 in a road traffic accident near Claudy

Buried: St. Joseph’s Church, Fincairn, Feeny, Co. Derry

Fr. Joe Morris

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 137)

FR. JOE MORRIS

Born: 23rd December, 1928 in Crockanboy

Educated: Greencastle Primary School – Christian Brothers Grammar School, Omagh – St. Columb’s College, Derry – St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth

Ordained: 4th April, 1954

Appointments:

1954-1961 – Curate in Termonamongan

1961-1964 – Curate in Carndonagh

1964-1988 – Curate in Clonmany

1988-1996 – Parish Priest in Clonmany

1996-2004 – Parish Priest in Culdaff

Retired: 2004

Died: 22nd November, 2009

Buried: Clonmany, Co. Donegal

Diocese of Derry – An Index [Second Edition] (page 137)

Fr. Vincent MacRory

FR. VINCENT MACRORY

Born: 3rd July, 1933

Educated: In 1961 began studies for priesthood at the Jesuit College in Osterley, Middlesex

Ordained: 1967 in Rome (Northampton Diocese in England)

Appointments:

1967-1970 – Assistant Priest in King’s Lynn, Norfolk

1970-1976 – Assistant Priest in Luton, Bedfordshire

1976-1983 – Parish Priest in Luton, Bedfordshire

1983-1991 – Parish Priest in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire

1991-1999 – Bedford town

Retired: 1999 to live in Dunamore, Co. Tyrone

Died: 23rd July, 2013

Buried: Our Lady of the Wayside Church, Broughderg, Co. Tyrone

Fr. Pat O'Hagan

FR. PAT O’HAGAN

Born: 18th May, 1939 in Cashel, Co. Tyrone

Educated: Holds a Master of Counselling and Guidance degree from Loyola University and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Theological Foundation in Indiana. Served on the faculty of Bishop Amat High School (1965 – 1970) and Bishop Alemany High School (1970 – 1971). From 1971 to 2002 he served as a ministry chaplain with the Veterans Administration hospital system and the Army Reserves. He entered as a Lieutenant and retired as a full Colonel.

Ordained: 13th June, 1965 in Cootehill, Co. Cavan (Sacred Heart Missionary Society)

Died: 21st September, 2021

Buried: San Fernando Mission Cemetery, California