A list of those deceased members involved in the Letterkenny Reunion over the years read out by Fr. Stephen Gorman at the mass in St. Eunan’s Cathedral on Sunday evening added a touching poignancy to the opening event.
It was also a tribute to all those who have participated in the Reunion since it came into existence in 1991.
By Paddy Walsh
In his introductory remarks at the outset of the Mass, Fr. Gorman, himself a native of Letterkenny, who described it as an honour to have been asked to celebrate it, said they were gathering as friends to reminisce about the past and think about all the decent people from the town who had gone to their rest.
“I think especially of Dessie Kelly who was a fundamental part of Letterkenny and of this Reunion. We pray for all the dead and ask the Lord to grant them a place of light, happiness and peace.”
In his homily, Fr Gorman revealed that when the Reunion started in 1991 he was only five years of age. “So I don’t recall too many memories from the early days. God rest my own father, Seamus Gorman, he would just love to be here at an event like this evening.”
The celebrant went on to list the names of all who had made an impact on the community and town including Dessie Kelly, James McMonagle, Johnny Gallagher, Patsy James, Patsy Shiels, Nelius Doherty, Rebecca McFeely McLaughlin, Goretti Donnelly Peoples, Jim Lynch, Barry Lynch and Noel McGroarty and those other men and women who had contributed to the Reunion.
Fr. Gorman said they would always look back at the many memories that had been made over the past 33 years including the re-enactment of the Fair Day, the mystery bus tour, dancing in the Devlin Hall and the various football matches that had taken place.
“The traditional variety of events will be staged to keep the patrons entertained but plenty of the entertainment will be provided by the townies themselves as stories and anecdotes abound over the four days and nights – some of them perhaps even true!.”
He went on: “Let us pray that many memories of joy will be made. The importance of these days is coming together to reconnect with our heritage of this town, to share stories, to socialise together, to reminisce, to be grateful for the blessings that we have.
“I know this is the last Reunion but I am sure in twenty years time, this tradition might start anew,” predicted Fr Gorman.
The music for the opening mass was provided by Patrick Doherty and the Cathedral Folk Choir.
And later in the night, more music courtesy of Martin Orr and the Honky Tonk Heroes at the opening dance in the Station House Hotel where the Reunionites gathered to get re-acquainted with one another and in some cases meet up for the first time in decades at this the last ever Letterkenny Reunion.