Bishop Emeritus John Kirby celebrates diamond jubilee
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Aisling Lynsday, Amy Rose Ó Hanlon and Éibhear Ó Hanlon at Bishop John Kirby’s diamond jubilee in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel last Sunday.Image 2 of 5
Liam Dwan, Aoibhinn Dwan, Amber Hurley and Laoise Hurley at Bishop John Kirby’s diamond jubilee in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel last Sunday.Image 3 of 5
Joe Cahalan and Marcella Fallon with Bishop Emeritus John Kirby.Image 4 of 5
Lily Casey and Thersesa Roe.Image 5 of 5
Dr Rose Kirby O’Hanlon, Sarah Ó Hanlon, Ruaidhri Ó Hanlon and Eiver Ó Hanlon at Bishop John Kirby’s diamond jubilee in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel last Sunday.On June 23, 1963, just three days before the historic visit of JFK to Ireland, Athlone native John Kirby was ordained a priest at St Patrick's College, Maynooth, in front of his family and friends, and both events made that week's front page of the Westmeath Independent.
60 years on from that momentous time, the now Bishop Emeritus John Kirby marked the diamond jubilee of his ordination with celebrations in Cappataggle in Co Galway, where he is now based, and in his homeplace of Athlone at the weekend in the presence of his sisters and extended family.
On Sunday last, he celebrated noon Mass in Ss Peter and Paul's Church - 60 years to the very day he celebrated his first Mass in Athlone, and this time Fr John Deignan PP and Fr Innocent Sunu CC, acting as concelebrants.
Now 85, Bishop Kirby who is originally from Baylough where his parents Patrick and Rose were publicans, was joined by his two sisters Dr Rose Kirby O'Hanlon and Joan McClean for the happy occasion at the weekend and a celebration afterwards with their extended family and friends in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel.
Following his ordination the now retired Bishop was appointed to a teaching post in his alma mater in St Joseph's College, Garbally, and from 1974 to 1979 he was a curate in the parishes of Ballymacward, Gurteen and Kilrickle in Galway, while continuing his teaching duties. He also served as a rugby coach at the school over many years, most notably training Irish international Ciaran Fitzgerald during his time.
In 1979, he became Present of Garbally or principal, a position he held for eight years. Then in 1988, he was appointed the Bishop of Clonfert, aged 49 taking over from Bishop Joseph Cassidy, who was elevated to the position of Archbishop of Tuam.
Bishop John Kirby presided over the diocese which covers large areas of East Galway for 31 years up until 2019, when another Athlone native, Michael Duignan took up the mantle. He has since gone onto become the Bishop of Galway. Now the Bishop Emeritus, John Kirby is the current parish priest in Cappataggle and Kilrickle.