Item 15 - The Capuchins in Donegal

Patrick Kelleher was born in Coolea near Ballyvourney in County Cork on 28 February 1912. His early schooling was in Coolea National School and in the Capuchin College in Rochestown in County Cork. He was received into the novitiate in Kilkenny in October 1929 and took David as his religious name. He undertook a formidable course of academic studies obtaining a Bachelor of Arts (1933) and later a Master of Arts (1934) from University College Cork. He was solemnly professed as a Capuchin friar in St. Bonaventure’s in Cork in October 1933. Following three years of theological studies in Ard Mhuire Friary in County Donegal, he was ordained to the priesthood in October 1937. He was sent to Rome after his ordination and spent six years at the International Capuchin College from 1937 to 1943, taking a Doctorate in Theology and a Licentiate in Scripture from the Pontifical Gregorian University. He also obtained a Diploma in Library Science from the Vatican Library. His time in Rome coincided with the difficult years of conflict in Italy during the Second World War. He returned to Ireland in 1943 and he resided in Ard Mhuire Friary for the remainder of his life, teaching dogmatic theology and liturgical and spiritual theology (1943-72). Aside from his pastoral work, he served as guardian (local superior) of the Ard Mhuire community for two terms and was the local vicar for eleven years. He also served on the Provincial Definitory (Council) from 1955 to 1958. He also retained a life-long interest in promoting the temperance cause. He died on 21 November 1995 and was buried in the cemetery attached to Ard Mhuire Friary in County Donegal.

Baptismal name: Patrick Kelleher
Religious name: Fr. David Kelleher OFM Cap.
Date of birth: 28 Feb. 1912
Place of birth: Coolea, Ballyvourney, County Cork (Diocese of Cloyne)
Name of father: Daniel Kelleher (Farmer)
Name of mother: Johanna Kelleher (née Mullane)
Date of reception into Capuchin Order: 3 Oct. 1929 (at Kilkenny)
Date of first profession: 4 Oct. 1930
Date of solemn profession: 4 Oct. 1933
Date of ordination (as priest): 10 Oct. 1937 (Ard Mhuire Capuchin Friary, County Donegal)
Educational attainments: BA (1st class hons.) and scholarship, UCC, (1933); MA, UCC, (1934); Doctor of Sacred Theology, (1940); Licentiate of Sacred Scripture, (1942).
Leadership positions: Provincial Definitor (Councillor), 1955-8; Custos General, 1958-61
Date of death: 21 Nov. 1995
Place of death: Ard Mhuire Capuchin Friary, County Donegal
Place of burial: Cemetery, Ard Mhuire Capuchin Friary, County Donegal