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When Fr Chris O’Donnell was moved to a new parish in 2017, a petition with 2,000 signatures and a social media campaign was started to keep the Adare man in the city. It included directly tweeting the then Pope Francis on his Twitter handle @Pontifex, asking him not to move “our hero”.
The priest, known for his flowing locks and warm personality, got quite emotional as he delivered the news at a Mass last week.
“Shur, I'd cry at the news by my nature - I wouldn't be great at the goodbyes and that sort of stuff but, obviously, it just shows that you're looking at the people you've loved and served for the last seven years, and you know you're going to miss them.
“But, look, that's part of the job, and you’re only delighted to do what you do but, yeah, of course there would be emotion,” said Fr Chris.
He will be taking up a new ministry role in Askeaton-Ballysteen and Pastoral Unit 11 in September. Many are sad to see Fr Chris leave south east Limerick but he jokes “they have to put up with me for another two months God help them”.
“I've been blessed and privileged to be where I was - six parishes and six communities - and serve with priests I've worked with, and especially more recently, Canon Michael O’Shea. It's been a privilege to serve with him and serve with the other lads and just serve in the area. I'm very lucky.”
Fr Chris said the good news for the Ballyhoura Pastoral Unit is he is being replaced by Fr Tim Collins. The Croagh native was ordained last year.
“They're getting a very good guy, thank God, which I'm relieved both for Canon Michael and for the people of the area. Often if a priest is moved, we don't have the personnel to replace them such are the challenges. Thank God for the people that Canon Michael is still at the helm because he's such a great guy to work with and doing such good work.
“I have to be grateful that I got seven years here. I have to be grateful the bishop was good enough to send me to this area, and even more grateful that I'm being replaced. I said to Fr Tim, ‘if you are as happy in this area as I was, you have great times ahead’.”
Fr Chris said being moved is part of the job.
"You're kind of no different to other professions sometimes. Every now and then the bishop will be on to tell you, ‘Look, it's time to move’ and that's OK.”
He says if the people of Askeaton are as nice as the people of Kilmallock and surrounding areas, “which inevitably they will be, I'll be very blessed there as well.”
“You kind of go lonely, but also knowing that, you'll give the next parish your best and hope that, please God, I'll be as happy there as I was here. And if I am, sure, happy days,” smiled Fr Chris.
He’ll always be welcome back in Ardpatrick, Bulgaden / Martinstown, Effin / Garrienderk, Glenroe / Ballyorgan, Kilfinane and Kilmallock, where he has touched so many lives in the last seven years.