Rev. Fr. Enda Connelly

Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

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Nairobi

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Flag of Kenya

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Mombassa Montage

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New York Skyline 2007

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Castlebar, Co. Mayo

Missionary / Poet

Despite suffering from ill health this priest continued to minister to his parishioners abroad plus in Ireland.

Enda Connelly was born on October 24^th, 1918 near Castlebar, Co. Mayo. With his family he moved to Dublin as a youth.

Following National school education, he proceeded to Blackrock College during 1935. During 1941 Enda Connelly entered the Kilshane novitiate in Co. Tipperary. He studied Philosophy in Kimmage the following year.

Priesthood

He was ordained in 1947 with his first appointment being to Kenya. He served for twenty years at the mission stations of Machakos, Giriama now Zanzibar, Taveta, Mariakani, Nairobi also Mombasa. Many of the postings were to remote stations but he is remembered for his steadfast patience, devotedness, his zeal for his parishioners.

Ireland

He was forced to return to Ireland with failing health but continued to minister to those in St. Patrick’s Parish in Kilkenny with the same qualities of character from 1968 to 1973.

America

Fr. Connelly was transferred to the New York area until his ill health deteriorated; that necessitated heart surgery. His remained in ill health.

The demise occurred of Fr Enda Connelly in New York on February 24^th, 1982 while he was aged 63 years.

Footnote

A booklet of his poems was published posthumously by his friends in the USA.

Source

PDF www.spiritan.ie/oldSite/irish_spiritans_remembered.pdf

Author

Noelene Beckett Crowe M G G

Page added

22/01/2019

Comments about this page

Amy …wonderful that you have the Poetry Book!
Did he have other siblings beside his two sisters?
…. realise did not not have much personal information on that site re Fr. Enda’s family.
Best of luck.
By Noelene Beckett Crowe (31/03/2019)
We have his poetry book. It was given to his sisters, two of which were Sisters of Loreto Convent.
By Amy Kelly (24/03/2019)
Glad to have assisted your search Amy.
Best of luck with in your future research.
Perhaps you may source his Poetry book.
By Noelene Beckett Crowe (22/03/2019)
Thank you so much for this. I have been searching a lot for information on my Great Uncle Enda!!!
By Amy Kelly (17/03/2019)