Curates, Churches and Carnivals in Kilteevan

When the theme for National Heritage Week 2026 ‘Heritage at Risk’ was announced it coincided and resonated with an impactful event in the parish at that time. Our curate, Fr Seán Beirne who served our community for over eighteen years retired on 6 January 2026. He was our sixteenth resident priest and the longest serving curate in Kilteevan. His departure severed the continuity of a resident priest here which began on 15 December 1906 with Fr John Finan, almost 120 years ago. No one in the parish today ever met him or his successor and only three of the clergy who served in Kilteevan are still alive. Although it’s recent history it is at risk of fading and being forgotten.

This project brings back into focus the clergy who served in the parish from December 1906 including snippets of information from their time in Kilteevan. It looks at the old church at the crossroads, fund-raising events held over many years and the building of St. Joseph’s Church. It concludes in 2026 with the retirement of Fr Seán Beirne.

It is important to remember that the events of yesterday are history today and that they should be recorded for new generations.