A special occasion was marked at St Eunan’s Church in Raphoe on Sunday to toast the 66th anniversary of the priestly ordination of The Venerable Archdeacon Willie McMenamin. Archdeacon McMenamin, now Pastor Emeritus in Raphoe, was joined at the Church following Mass by parish priest Fr Eamonn Kelly and parishioners. The 92-year-old, a native of Rathmullan who was ordained on June 16, 1960 at St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny, has bene living in Raphoe since his retirement in 2011. Fr Willie served as the parish
priest in Drumoghill for 29 years since 1982. He was ordained by then Bishop of Raphoe William MacNeely 66 years ago. Originally posted to Raphoe, he later spent four years in Ardara before being sent to become administrator in the Cathedral parish in Letterkenny. The first ordained priest to play football in Donegal, he was a member of the Swilly Rovers team that won the FAI Junior Cup in 1962 – during his time in Ardara – while he was capped for Ireland at junior
level. On the same June day in 1960, Fr Thomas Rocks from Ballyshannon and Fr Anthony Griffith from Laghey were also ordained. In 2024, Archdeacon McMenamin was made a Canon of the Sanctuary of Lourdes. On Sunday afternoon, he attended a celebration Mass to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the dedication of the Cathedral of Saints Eunan and Columba in Letterkenny.
Willie McMenamin, Raphoe, St Eunan’s Church, priestly ordination, 66th anniversary, St Eunan’s Cathedral, Letterkenny, Drumoghill, Ardara, William MacNeely, Swilly Rovers, FAI Junior Cup, Ireland junior football, Canon of the Sanctuary of Lourdes, Cathedral of Saints Eunan and Columba