Fr Patrick (Paddy) Dooher was born on 21 January 1943 in Donaghedy, Co Tyrone and was educated in Loughash PS and St Columb’s, Derry. He joined the Columbans in Dalgan Park, Navan in 1960 and was ordained there on 21 December 1966.
Paddy then did postgraduate studies in Rome before being appointed to the staff in St Columban’s College, Navan where he spent the next ten years. In that period he served as Dean of Studies, Vice Rector, Regional Education Officer and he also lectured in Maynooth.
At this time he also began his involvement in Faith and Mission Programme provided by the Irish Mission Institute in Dalgan.
In March 1980 he was assigned to Peru and worked in Lima for seven years based in the parish of Ermitano. He was a delegate to the General Assembly of the Society in 1982 and appointed as vice Director of Peru in 1984. He was also asked to provide theological support for the Overseas Training Programme for Columban students and for the Theological Institute for Religious Orders (ISET).
He was able to avail of sabbatical studies in Heythrop College in London before he returned to Dalgan in 1989 to take on the role of director the Irish Missionary Union Institute. He remained in that role for the next twenty-seven years and together with Sr Norah Davey RSM made an enormous contribution to the mission of the Church by providing updating and renewal courses for hundreds of missionaries of many nationalities.
As ever, Paddy was called on for a multitude of ‘in house’ jobs as well: everything from vision statements to psychosynthesis workshops to membership of the regional council and especially as a partner on the golf course. The fact that this happened to coincide with a golden age for Tyrone football surely helped maintain his enthusiasm for the work.
Paddy died suddenly on 25 March 2022 and left us all shocked and reflecting on the essential place he held in our community and in our mission for so long. May God reward his generosity and his constant care for us all.
May he rest in peace.
Funeral Mass for Fr Paddy Dooher:
