Book launch for Fr Pat Lennon’s memoir in Legga
Former Carrick-on-Shannon parish priest Fr Pat Lennon will launch his new book, Come Here a Second Till I Tell You, in Legga, Co Longford, sharing stories from his ministry in Leitrim, missionary work in Zambia and Zimbabwe, and his GAA career.
‘Come here a second till I tell you,’ is the title of a book by Father Pat Lennon, which will be launched on Sunday, July 19th after 9.30am Mass in Legga, County Longford.
Fr Pat, in his preface, explains the title. He has many stories to tell, including accounts of brushes with death, his journey through priesthood, missionary work in Zambia and Zimbabwe, and memories from parish ministry in Carrick-on-Shannon, Athlone, Ballinahown, Ardagh and Dromard.
The launch will be led by GAA broadcaster and Shannonside FM commentator John Duffy, reflecting Fr Pat’s playing career with Sheemore Gaels, the Leitrim County team and Longford sides prior to his appointment in Carrick-on-Shannon.
The book moves from parish life in Ireland to Fr Pat’s time in Zambia and Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe.
It draws on newspaper cuttings from The Leitrim Observer, The Longford Leader, The Westmeath Examiner, The Westmeath Independent, The Athlone Topic and The Irish Catholic, recording the work of priests supporting parishioners and mediating in difficult situations.
Fr Pat acknowledges those who supported his priesthood, particularly in Leitrim and Longford where fund-raising supported his missionary work, much of it recorded in his newspaper correspondence from Africa.
Also featured are accounts of his football career, parish work in Kiltoghert, involvement with St. Joseph’s Primary School, St. Mary’s Hall Committee, and Carrick-on-Shannon Credit Union. ‘Gone but not forgotten’, a 1978 article by Willie B (the late Billy Gilligan), recalls his five years in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Leitrim connections include his missionary work with Aughavas man Fr Nigel Charles, a contribution from Paul Armstrong of Carrick-on-Shannon, and references to former County Librarian Seán Ó’ Súilleabháin, with Fr Pat noting Moyne Latin school ‘produced six hundred and seventy priests, over a period of one hundred years’.
Parishes of Ardagh and Clonmacnois are also covered through pictorial records and newspaper articles.
The book will go on sale locally for €20, with proceeds to St. Christopher’s Services and Meals on Wheels.
Fr Pat extends a Céad Míle Fáilte to former parishioners to attend the launch.