12 -- Fr. James Killeen

 

Skehana Church

© Gerry Costello Photography

Fr. James Killeen                1881 – 1882

In 1870/1871 it seems Fr James Killeen was in Castlebar Deanery as CC in Mayo Abbey and later probably in the parish of Turlough (Parke). In 1874 he moved from Achill Island to Tuam was still CC in Tuam in 1875. He was appointed CC in Taugheen & Crossboyne in March 1877. Crossboyne/Taugheen is located between Claremorris and Hollymount and was still there until 1881. He was appointed to Skehana in 1881. There was much sadness among the parishioners of Taugheen and Crossboyne on his leaving them. A report in all the local papers at the time reported that at a meeting in Crossboyne on September 4th. 1881

TESTIMONIAL

TO THE REV JAMES KILLEEN

“it was unanimously resolved that we the Parishioners of Taugheen and Crossboyne do present the Re, James Killeen CC, our late and esteemed spiritual father with and Address and Testimonial as a small mark of our esteem and affection for him during his stay amongst us, and especially his efforts on behalf of our starving poor during the past crisis, and his unceasing zeal in the cause of education so dear to the people of Ireland”. At the conclusion of the meeting subscriptions were handed in totalling £98 – 14 – 03d

(To put this amount into prospective – In the newspaper where this was reported there are many advertisements for goods. A man’s suit of clothes in tweed was 29 shillings and a stylish pants was 7 shillings and 6 pence)