MORE THAN 200 family, friends and parishioners turned out to bid a fond farewell to Tinryland’s last parish priest Fr John McEvoy as he moves to another parish.
Fr McEvoy has already taken up the position of PP in Paulstown and Goresbridge but he returned to Tinryland one last time to enjoy a great night with his former parishioners.
“It was a very successful evening. We had a fantastic crowd – there were well over 200 people in attendance,” said Maureen Byrne, one of the organisers.
The entire community came together on Friday 23 September in Tinryland GAA clubhouse to celebrate Fr McEvoy’s near-decade-long relationship with the area.
“It was a wonderful community effort. It really was. It was a coming together of the whole community,” added Maureen, who thanked everyone for their help in pulling the night together.
Fr Tom Little and Fr Liam Morgan, who will now share pastoral duties in Tinryland, were among those who attended, as well as representatives from all the local organisations, several other priests and members of the neighbouring Church of Ireland community.
MC on the night was Eamon Byrne and there was plenty of praise for the former PP as numerous men and women spoke fondly of his time in the parish and his participation in the local organisations and committees.
Pauline Cleary presented Fr McEvoy with an iPad and gift certificate on behalf of the parish and Fr McEvoy’s housekeeper, Bridie Townsend, was also presented with a bouquet of flowers.
Celebrations and chat continued well into the night as refreshments and entertainment kept the large crowd amused.