Bishop Fintan Monahan and Fr Willie McCormack with Constas Mazunas, Gráinne O'Mahony, Hannah Quirke and Lilly Brennan, who presented gifts/symbols at the Golden Jubilee Mass in St Patrick's Church, Puckane. Photo: Bridget Delaney

Golden Jubilee for Fr Willie McCormack

Published: Thu 2 Jun 2022, 2:26 PM

The parish of Puckane and Carrig enjoyed a brilliant night at Fr Willie McCormack’s Golden Jubilee Mass at Saint Patrick’s Church on Friday, May 27.

Fr Willie has served as Parish Priest since 2014 and the fact that Saint Patrick’s Church, Puckane, had a full attendance gives an indication of how popular he is.

Fr Brendan Moloney, Silvermines, was chief celebrant of the mass. Eight others of his fellow priests from the diocese were also present including Fr Tom O’Halloran, Borrisokane; Fr Michael Cooney, Terryglass; Fr Willie Teehan, Castleconnell; Fr Joe Kennedy, Moneygall; Fr Michael O’Meara, Kinnitty; Fr Des Hillery, Nenagh; Fr Michael Geraghty and Fr Pat Creed.

Also in attendance were Bishop Fintan Monahan, Killaloe and Bishop Willie Walsh, the former Bishop of Killaloe.

This was a memorable evening and one component that made the evening memorable was the bringing together of the local choirs of Carrig and Puckane and, under the guidance of Grainne Egan, they certainly raised the roof with a powerful voice.

Afterwards a big crowd arrived at the Kiladangan GAA Complex and were treated to a string of delicious refreshments with music provided in the background by a collection of local musicians from far and near under the name Tradult musicians.

Bishops and priests with Fr Willie McCormack after his Golden Jubilee Celebration Mass at St Patrick's Church Puckane on Friday May 27th (from left): Fr Michael O'Meara, Fr Tom O'Halloran, Fr Michael Geraghty, Fr Willie Teehan, Fr Michael Cooney, Bishop Fintan Monahan, Fr Joe Kennedy, Fr Willie McCormack, Fr Pat Greed, Bishop Willie Walsh, Fr Des Hillery and Fr Brendan Moloney. Photo: Bridget Delaney

50 YEARS A PRIEST

Fr William McCormack was born to Joseph and Nora McCormack at Garraun, Clonlara parish, County Clare on December 19, 1947.

He was the youngest of five children, Tom, Maureen, Oliver, Noreen and Willie. He received his primary education at Saint Mary's and later at Limerick CBS. He entered Saint Flannan’s College in 1961 where he completed his Leaving Cert in 1966.

He commenced his studies for the priesthood at Saint Patrick’s College, Carlow, and was ordained a priest in 1972.

Fr Willie served in many parishes and after his ordination he served as curate in Portroe parish. His love of hurling helped him become part of the local club.

He hurled with Portroe and won a North Junior Hurling championship medal in 1973.

The following year he was transferred as curate to the parish of Killanena, County Clare. In 1976 he was appointed Emigrant Chaplain for Killaloe diocese in London.

On his return from London in 1980 he served in Ruan parish and then in Newmarket-on-Fergus, 1984-1988.

In 1988 he travelled to Africa to minister in the Killaloe Mission in Zimbabwe and returned to Ireland in 1993, where he served in Dunkerrin for two years and at Sixmilebridge, 1995-2000.

He was appointed parish priest in Toomevara for 14 years before transferring to Puckane parish in 2014.