Fr. Eamonn Kelly.
THE success of the Donegal GAA team over recent years has resulted in a change of date for the annual Graveyard Services in Letterkenny, the Donegal News has learned.
Sunday’s final is Donegal’s sixth Ulster final in a row while the third Sunday in July also traditionally marks Graveyard Services in Old Leck and New Leck Graveyards in the Cathedral town.
Fr Eamonn Kelly, Adm., St Eunan’s Cathedral, confirmed the date change at last Sunday’s Graveyard Service in Conwal cemetery.
“We always announce the dates a year in advance because a lot of people come home from England, America and other parts of the world to attend the local Graveyard Services. A lot of people plan their holidays around this date. It’s a lovely tradition and while it can be a difficult time for families, the occasion can also be the source of great healing.
“It’s always been held on the third Sunday in July as long as I’ve been here and with Donegal doing so well in the football over recent years we’ve decided to change the dates next year although we’ll probably run into other difficulties.
“It’s difficult to change the date of the Service at short notice with so many people planning their visits home around that time. It’s fairly well established at this stage with traffic and one way systems working well. From next year it will be held a week earlier to avoid clashing with the Ulster final when, please God, Donegal will be represented,” Fr Kelly said.
Old Leck Graveyard Service will take place at 4pm this Sunday afternoon while Old Leck Graveyard Service gets underway an hour later (5pm).
In 2017, Graveyard Services in Conwal will take place on July 2 with Old Leck and New Leck on July 9.
Meanwhile, thousands of Donegal supporters will continue their recent annual pilgrimage Clones on Sunday for the 2016 Ulster final which will see the Donegal minor team lock horns with Derry (12 noon) before Rory Gallagher’s charges take on Tyrone (2pm).
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