Golden Jubilee joy for two Limerick priests with a lifetime of service

TWO Limerick clergymen have marked a remarkable milestone as Fr Eugene Boyce and Canon John Daly have celebrated the Golden Jubilee of their ordination to the priesthood, 50 years after they were ordained together in Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

The occasion was marked with a special Mass at St John’s Cathedral on June 8, where both men celebrated with fellow clergy from across the diocese.

Fr Boyce, who is now retired, expressed deep gratitude and surprise at the turnout. “I was very surprised with the amount of priests that turned up,” he said. “There were about twelve priests there and these are priests I worked with in the diocese through the years… and there was one particular priest, he's 94 years of age and he turned up.”

Originally from the parish of Rockhill near Bruree, Fr Boyce served in a number of parishes, including Watford in the UK, Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, Askeaton, St Paul’s Dooradoyle, and as Parish Priest for Croagh-Kilfinny from 2014 until 2024.
Canon John Daly, originally from Athlacca, has served in six parishes: St Joseph’s, Our Lady of the Rosary, St Nicholas, Bruff / Grange and Meanus and St John’s.

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Reflecting on the significance of the milestone, Fr Boyce said marking 50 years was deeply meaningful. “I celebrated my Silver Jubilee in St Paul’s and that in itself was a very special occasion.” He added that the Golden Jubilee is even better. “You have the wisdom of the ages, you're a wiser person with all the different things that you have encountered.”

One of Fr Boyce’s fondest memories comes from Easter 1993 in Abbeyfeale, when 1,500 people filled the church for a candlelit Holy Saturday Vigil. “There was no light whatsoever in the church, only the candles so it was absolutely brilliant to see the reflection of 1,500 candles on the ceiling of the church in Abbeyfeale and the atmosphere.”

Now 73, Fr Boyce has no fear for the future of the Church. “The Church is a cycle, you get the good runs and you get the bad runs... The new pope, Pope Leo, could have an influence, especially in countries like America and other countries to actually just turn the corner. He added that people are seeking peace all over the world.