A SPECIAL celebration remembering and honouring the lives of two stalwarts of Skehana was held on Culture Night.
The night included a mix of performances, on-stage chats and discussions featuring a variety of guests in memory of the late Fr Patrick O’Brien and Tom Costello.
Among them were three friends of the late Fr O’Brien from his Maynooth days - Fr. Pat Donnellan, Fr. Dan O’Mahony and Sean Silke as well as well-known author and playwright, Michael Harding, who talked about his time in Skehana and the great days and nights of drama and music.
All four gave a fascinating insight into the person that Pat was to them with words used to describe him like kindness, generosity, love for the oppressed and afflicted, caring, spiritual, compassionate, tender and benevolent. They also referenced his prowess as an all-round sportsman.
Billy Connelly and Tom Craddock from Caherlistrane, where Pat was Parish Priest for the 15 years before his passing in 2021, spoke of his lasting influence on that community.
Fr O’Brien’s siblings Finian and Martin shared their insights of their brother with books being the common denominator.
Mary J. Murphy new book entitled “Patrick O’Brien Pastor, Poet, Pilgrim” was launched on the night.
The book is currently available from Kenny's and Charlie Byrnes bookshops in Galway, as well as Castle Books in Castlebar and Keane’s shop in Caherlistrane.
FRIENDS of Fr Pat, former Galway hurler Sean Silke, Fr Dan O’Mahony and Fr Pat Donnellan at culture night in Skehana Community Centre. Jacinta Fahy
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RELATIONS of the late Tom Costello, Thomas McElwain, Aliki and Fergal Costello and Mossy Farrell at culture night in Skehana Community Centre. Jacinta Fahy
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MEMBERS of Skehana and District Heritage Group and organisers Emma Laffey, Jimmy Laffey and Paddy Curley. Jacinta Fahy
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AT the event were Kathleen Dolly, John Fahy and Majella Geraghty, Skehana. Jacinta Fahy
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MARY Ryan and Anne Ward, Menlough at culture night in Skehana. Jacinta Fahy
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AUTHOR of ‘Patrick O’Brien Pastor, Poet, Pilgrim’ Mary J Murphy with her family Morgan, Mason, Minette and Gerard Glynn at culture night in Skehana Community Centre. Jacinta Fahy
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A PACKED house enjoying stories at culture night in Skehana Community Centre. Jacinta Fahy
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FR Dan O’Mahony at culture night in Skehana Community Centre. Jacinta Fahy
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POET, playwright, author and former resident of Skehana as well as longtime friend of Fr Pat, Michael Harding at culture night in Skehana. All photos: Jacinta Fahy Jacinta Fahy
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AUTHOR Mary J Murphy with Fr Pat’s brothers Finian and Martin O’Brien at culture night in Skehana. Jacinta Fahy
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AT the celebration were Billy Connelly and Tom Craddock, Caherlistrane. Jacinta Fahy
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