Father Brendan’s Ceilidh

Roger EleyNews

As Father Brendan retires at the end of January, last Friday we granted his wish by holding a Ceilidh to celebrate his Priesthood at St Joseph’s  Social Club in Birtley.

The Hall was packed with friends from St Anne’s and from every parish he has served over the years. Several members of the clergy attended and there was even a couple from his home village Portumna in Ireland.

The trio from Newcastle’s Irish Centre played traditional music and called our attempts at Irish Dancing. They even accompanied Father Brendan as he “insisted” on singing If Your Ever Go Across The Sea to Ireland with it’s link to Galway Bay, where he will be living in Ireland.

In his speech Father thanked everyone at St Anne’s for helping him over his six years with us and also thanked all his other parishes.

As always with St Anne’s there was a superb buffet and a raffle with over 30 prizes.

Thanks to everyone who came to the event but particularly to all who helped organise the event.