Mayo GAA club celebrate special occasion for local priest

COMMUNITY NOTES: CARRA - WESTERN PEOPLE (OCTOBER 1 EDITION)

Ballintubber GAA Clubrooms at Clogher was the venue on Sunday week last, September 22, for a special tribute and presentation to local priest, Fr Ulick Bourke. The clubhouse was packed for the event which was organised in recognition of Fr Ulick’s life as a Missionary Priest and his sporting background which featured GAA exploits with his home club Ballintubber, Ballina Stephenites and soccer in North America.

Ballintubber Club Elder Sage and chairperson of the Club History committee Tony O’Connor was MC and the interviewer for the occasion. Aged 89 years and in wonderful spirits and good health, Fr Ulick outlined his days growing up and going to school in Clogher NS, the pathway to his vocation, his sporting days with GAA, soccer and boxing, intermittent emigration and working in construction, his education in Ireland and America, his Mission experiences in Liberia and his eventual elevation as Provincial Superior of the SMA Order in America.

It was a very special occasion laden with respect and affection for a modest pastor who has spent his life in the service of others and the spreading of Christ’s Gospel. Ballintubber GAA has expressed their appreciation to all who attended.