Former Ardoyne priest recognised with community relations award

One of Northern Ireland’s most well known priests has been honoured with a major award recognising his work to promote peace within communities.

Fr Gary Donegan, who was priest at Ardoyne’s Holy Cross Church for over 15 years before recently moving to the Tobar Mhuire in Crossgar, was presented with the Annual Community Relations Exceptional Achievement Award on Friday.

The prominent and much-loved cleric ministered in Ardoyne parish during some of its most turbulent years. The parish lost 99 people during The Troubles – the largest loss of life in any parish. He was also Rector during the now infamous blockade of Holy Cross School in 2001 as well as the suicide epidemic which saw 13 teenagers die in Ardoyne in the space of six weeks in 2004.

The Community Relations Council Award recognises exceptional achievement of an individual in promoting community relations, intercultural work or peace building in Northern Ireland.

Fr Gary Donegan, who is originally from Co Fermanagh, has received death threats after speaking out against violence. He has also played a key role in negotiations and talks. Fr Donegan was ordained in 1991 and spent ten years at the Graan in Co Fermanagh.

He was appointed to Holy Cross in early 2001 and succeeded Fr Aidan Troy CP as Rector in 2008.

Community Relations Council (CRC) Chairman, Peter Osborne, said Fr Gary Donegan was a deserved recipient of the award.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Gary and have witnessed his unwavering commitment to peace and reconciliation,” he said.

“Gary has never been reluctant to get his hands dirty and has been central in building important and enduring cross community relationships in one of the most testing environments. His presence over the last few years has been critical in moving forward some of the most difficult issues including the parades disputes finally resolved this year.”

Very Rev Dr Norman Hamilton OBE, who has worked with Fr Donegan in North Belfast for many years, said: “Fr Donegan has shone brightly in an area which has endured much heartache, pain and conflict.

“His work and his life are marked by humility, self-sacrifice, love, grace and courage. He has not strived to be popular, but rather has strived to be faithful to God and to the people of Ardoyne and it is this that has won him enduring respect and admiration.”

Accepting the award, Fr Donegan said: “Hope is so much part of faith and I’m thankful that North Belfast has been a place of great change and hope in recent years.

“I’m honoured to receive this award from the Community Relations Council.It is so important that community leaders work in the nooks and crannies of the streets to help people who are dealing with so many difficult issues related to legacy, economic, social and generational challenges.”

The award was presented at the David Stevens Memorial event. Very Rev Dr Norman Hamilton OBE delivered the David Stevens Memorial lecture on the topic of ‘Reframing Reconciliation’. The lecture has been organised over the last four years in memory of David Stevens, a founding member of CRC and a leader of the Corrymeela Community, who died in 2010.