Tributes paid to native Drumquin priest

TRIBUTES have been paid to a Dublin priest who never forgot his Drumquin roots.

Fr Francis Gormley of Harold’s Cross and House of Retreat, Tyrconnell Road, Inchicore died on August 5 in Dublin.

On Saturday August 8, Fr Gormley’s funeral took place at St Patrick’s Church followed by burial in the Drumquin Old Cemetery.

The funeral mass was said by Fr Kevin Mullan but due to Covid19 restrictions, only a small crowd of people were allowed into the church.

Fr Gormley was born in Drumquin but moved to Dublin with his family when he was a child, but he continued to visit the area throughout his life.

Fr Gormley was ordained in 1971, and became an Oblate Father.

In his later life, Fr Gormley had suffered from dementia, and had recently battled against coronavirus and had managed to overcome it, but he never fully regained his full strength.

Family member and Drumquin woman Cabrina Coll said, “Fr Gormley recovered from Covid19 so we were able to give him a send off.

“He spent an evening in Drumquin before the funeral so local people were able to come and say their goodbyes to him.

“Fr Gormley always wanted to be buried here so we are glad to be able to honour his wishes.

“He was born in Drumquin, but his parents moved to Dublin, and he was the only child in his family to be born here but he never forgot his roots.

“He loved Drumquin and everything about it – the people and the place.

“When he had any time off, this is where he came and he spent the whole time visiting people.

“He used to stay with the Baxters’ and he had a big connection to the area.

“The funeral was restricted but a lot of people stood outside and it was nice to be able to give him the send off he deserved,” said Cabrina.

Fr Gormley is survived by his sister Eileen, brothers Patrick, Matt, Bernard and Eamonn, relatives, friends and his Oblate Community.