Seánie was born on February 4, 1951, in the parish of Quin Clooney Maghera. He was educated at Quin National School, St Flannan’s College, and St Patrick’s College Maynooth. The late Bishop Harry ordained him to St Mary’s Church Quin on June 11, 1978. His first appointment was as Curate in Mullagh in the parish of Kilmurry Ibrickane, where he also taught at St Joseph’s Secondary School, Spanish Point.
From 1981 to 1983, he undertook further studies in Theology at St Patrick’s College Maynooth. From 1983 to 1990, he served as a Curate in Shannon and, in July 1990, moved to Miltown Malbay as Curate until he became Parish Priest in 2004. He retired due to ill health in 2018.
Seánie was very well respected in all the parishes he served with a special reach out to young people. Known for cycling, his cooking and hospitality, he was very much a Martha and a Mary of the Gospel, giving hospitality and having time for people with his listening ear.
On Tuesday 7th January Seánie passed from this life to the Home of the Father with no doubt the gospel acclamation, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
After Funeral Mass in St Joseph’s Church on Miltown Malbay on Friday 10th January, Fr Seánie was laid to rest in the Church grounds in West Clare close to the ocean that he loved so well. We offer our sympathy to his brothers, Michael and Eamonn, his sisters-in-law Betty and Ginny, his nieces and nephews, Deirdre, Fiona, Donnchadh, and Mike and their families.
May his gentle soul rest in peace