32 -- Fr. James Heaney

(CC Skehana 1940 - 1947)

Gerry Costello

Fr. James Heaney

Fr. James Heaney 1940 – 1947

Fr Heaney was born in Garrymore near Claremorris on February 17th 1905. He was ordained on June 31st 1931. He had a brother a monk in Dublin – Brother Francis and his sister was Sr. M Jarlath, Convent of Mercy, Clifden. He served in Knock-Spiddal from 1931 to 1937, in Kilronan from 1937 to 1940, in Skehana from 1940 to 1947 when after offending the Archbishop he was suddenly changed to Granlahan just a couple of days before Christmas Day, He ministered in Granlahan from 1947 to 1958 and in 1956 renovated the church building in Granlahan. He then ministered in Mountbellew from 1958 to 1966, in Monivea from 1966 to 1968 and then as PP in Clonbur 1968 to 1986. He then retired to Coolaran where he remained until his death on March 16th. 1995. He was laid to rest in the grounds of Clonbur Church on March 17th 1995.