Birthday celebrations for popular Mayo cleric

THE community of Charlestown is gathering this weekend to celebrate Fr. John Doherty's 90th birthday.

Fr. John welcomes everyone to join in celebrating his big birthday with a Mass of thanksgiving tomorrow (Friday, October 27) at 7 p.m. in St. James's Church, Charlestown, followed by a cup of tea and some treats at the local CBD Centre.

His birthday wish is 'everyone's presence but please, no presents'.

Fr. John is a very popular figure in the parish and wider region and has been receiving lots of warm birthday wishes.

The local Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club offered their congratulations to him on social media and summed up what he means to the club and community: 'Fr. John is a very popular and much respected member of our community who remains an active and energetic presence with the clarity and power of his voice showing no sign of diminishing as he reaches his ninth decade.

'The great man continues to retain a deep interest in all matters GAA and continues to follow Mayo GAA and the Sarsfields GAA teams with a passion and enthusiasm that shows no sign of abating.

'A proverbial encyclopaedia of knowledge, all within the club and community extend their heartiest congratulations to a man who can be regularly seen walking around the perimeter of O’Hara Park and the new walkways as he continues to push the boundaries and defy ‘Father Time’ in his own inimitable way.

'Best wishes Fr. John - wishing you many more years of good health and happiness in your vocation.'