Columban Fr Seán F. Doherty RIP

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Fr Seán F. Doherty
22 March 1935 - 21 October 2018

Fr Seán F. Doherty was born on 22 March 1935 in Knockagulla, Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Ireland. He was educated at Rathbane National School, Lisdoonvarna, and St Mary’s College, Galway. He entered St Columban’s, Dalgan Park, Navan, in September 1953 and  was ordained priest on 21 December 1959.


Lisdoonvarna Main Street [Wikipedia]

Father Seán was assigned to Korea and after initial language studies he served as assistant on Heuksando (Heuksan Island), then in Jang Seung and later in Muan - all in the southern Diocese of Kwangju. On returning to Korea after his first home visit to Ireland in 1967, he served as pastor in Shin Chang, on Cheju Island, and later in Tjang Heung in Chollanamdo Province.


Heuksando, Korea [Wikipedia]

In May 1971 he returned to Ireland. Over the next four years he did supply work in a variety of locations: in Glengormley Parish, Belfast in the Diocese of Down and Connor,  in Killavil, Cloonloo and Foxford in the Diocese of Achonry, and in Castleisland in the Diocese of Kerry.

There followed a further four years in Korea, from 1975 to 1979 serving as pastor in Hwa Sun near Kwangju. Returning to Ireland, he served as chaplain to the Sisters of Charity in Donnybrook and spent periods in the Cathedral in Monaghan; in Beleek, County Fermanagh; in the Cathedral in Newry; in Latton, County Monaghan; in Dromard, Skryne, Killala; in Scotshouse, County Monaghan, in Lahinch, County Clare, and in Belcoo, County Fermanagh.


Finner Camp in the distance [Wikipedia]

In between these many assignments he spent six months with the Irish Army at the Curragh, County Kildare; a summer as temporary chaplain to the US Army in Frankfurt, Germany; six month with the Irish Air Corps in Gormanston, County Meath; and a two-year period with the Irish Army at Finner, County Donegal. Father Seán had a particular gift for working with men and seemed to have enjoyed these assignments.

He was very intelligent, well-read, and with a wide range of interests. It could be said that he did not suffer fools gladly, but he was also a very kind person. He had to suffer long bouts of illness during the course of his life and particularly in his final years.

He is buried in St Columban's Cemetery, Dalgan Park.

May he rest in peace.


Crucifix, St Columan's Cemetery, Dalgan Park

Quick March of the Defence Forces Ireland
The logo is that of the Defence Forces

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