Priest’s hair cut raises thousands for church

A POPULAR Newtownstewart priest has helped to raise upwards of £5,100 for restoration of his church’s gothic windows after taking part in a sponsored hair cut.

Answering the call of the chop, Fr Roland Colhoun of St Eugene’s Glenock, Parish of Ardstraw East, describes his new style – which is five-to-six inches shorter – as ‘a priestly haircut’… and he jokes that he now ‘no longer looks like Jesus!’

“I do like the new do; although I couldn’t say otherwise!” Fr Roland laughed.

Speaking to the Chronicle, Fr Roland explained that he didn’t intentionally grow his hair for the fundraising event.

In fact, the hair growing was a result of nature’s natural course, the Covid-19 pandemic, the lockdowns, and the closures of hair salons.

“My hair grew, untampered with and untamed, for about a year,” Fr Roland reflected.

“And it got to the stage where I just thought to myself: I need to get this cut.

“So, I posted a head and shoulders picture of myself online, and posed the question to my parishioners: Should I cut it, or not?

“And some told me to keep it long as it suited me, and they liked the curls.

“While others told me not to touch it as ‘Jesus wore his hair like that’.

“But then, one day, the penny dropped, and I decided I was going to cut it in aid of church funds.”

“We have so much pride in the church,” Fr Roland, a native of Lifford, and who grew up in Strabane, added.

“It is a listed building, so we are going to replace the windows with their original designs.

“It will give the beautiful, fascinating building such a lift.

“We are so thankful to everyone who has donated to the cause,” he added. “We are proud to play a part in the church’s rich history; as our ancestors did.”

Fr Roland has been fundraising for St Eugene’s Glenock since he began his role with the church six years ago.

He regularly hosts fundraising church walks, and mystery treks – such as expeditions up Mount Errigal – in aid of the church, and is open to any and all new, quirky or fun fundraising ideas to help raise even more money for church restoration. To get in touch with Fr Roland, please call 028 8166 1445.