Monsignor Dan O’Riordan will celebrate his Golden Jubilee as a priest on Wednesday, June 20th.
He was ordained by Bishop Denis Moynihan in Killarney 50 years ago today. Also ordained with him on that Sunday in June 1968 was a Fr. J O’Donoghue and the event made the front page of The Kerryman on the following Saturday, June 22nd.
“There have been times in the past year when I wished that this anniversary would pass by unnoticed, but, eventually I listened to those who encouraged me to mark it in some way,” said Monsignor O’Riordan – or ‘Fr. Dan’ as he is known with great affection in and around Castleisland.
Evening and Night of Celebration
An evening and night of celebration of his life as a ‘man of the cloth’ will unfold in Castleisland on Wednesday. There will be a jubilee mass at 7pm at the Church of Saints Stephen and John and this will be followed by a social evening in the River Island Hotel.
Monsignor O’Riordan has made a special request that no gifts will be given.
During the week I asked him to give us a resume of his career from this day in 1968 to Castleisland in 2018. He obliged and the following is a brief summary:
Fr. Dan O’Riordan’s Journey
“On Wednesday night 20th June at 7.00pm. I will be celebrating a special Mass with the bishop, priests of the diocese and parishioners of Castleisland to mark my 50 years in the priesthood.
I was ordained by Bishop Denis Moynihan on 16th June 1968 in the Oratory of St Brendan’s College, Killarney.
It is a landmark in my life which I have been encouraged to celebrate with others, even though I am self conscious about it being focused on me.
Classmates in Maynooth
I had a get together with my classmates last week in Maynooth where I spent eight years. We began studying together in September 1961.
Almost twenty of our class have passed away RIP and some were unable to be there for health reasons. I am grateful to God for the gift of health and mobility.
St Brendan’s College
After qualifying as a secondary teacher in June 1969, I began teaching full time in St Brendan’s College, Killarney, where we had 200 boarders as well as day pupils.
It was challenging but a rewarding way of life. I know people from every parish in the diocese because of the human contact made in St Brendan’s College.
I was a guidance teacher and president of the college before leaving in 1995.
Parish Work
My first parish appointment was as PP to Rathmore where I lasted less than a year!!
Being moved to St Johns in Tralee as Parish Priest was the biggest challenge of my life but I really enjoyed the twelve years I spent there until coming to Castleisland in 2008.
I thank the lay people and the Clergy for their good wishes and support over the years as I celebrate my Golden Jubilee.”
