Fr Emmett Dagens RIP
Thursday 3rd August 2023We are sorry to share the sad news that Fr Emmett Dagens died peacefully at his nursing home in County Down on Wednesday 2nd August.
Fr Dagens was in his 92nd year, the 66th year of his Sacred Priesthood.
May he rest in peace.
Emmett was born on 19th June 1932 in Rathfriland, Co. Down, and was baptised at Drumgath Parish Church on the same day. He was educated at the Christian Brothers School in Newry.
Emmett was accepted as an Ecclesiastical student for the Diocese of Salford in August 1952 and studied at St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny.
Father Emmett Dagens was ordained to the Priesthood at St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny on 8th June 1958.
Fr Dagens served the Diocese of Salford in the following appointments:
1958-1960: St. Mary, Heaton Norris – as Assistant Priest
1960-1967: St. Ann, Stretford – as Assistant Priest
1967-1969: St. Joseph, Bury – as Assistant Priest
1969-1980: Diocese of Down and Connor – assisting while on compassionate leave
1980-1980: St. Michael, Whitefield – as Temporary Administrator
1980-1987: St. George, Nelson – as Parish Priest
Fr Emmett returned to County Down in 1987 and lived at Mill Road, Cabra. Following a period in hospital this year, he moved to Slieve Dhu Nursing Home on 6th July.
Fr Dagens’ body was received into St. Malachy’s Church, Kilcoo, Co Down on Saturday 5th August.
His Requiem Mass took place at St. Malachy’s on Monday 7th August at 12 noon, followed by committal at the parish cemetery.
Please remember Fr Bernard in your prayers and in the celebration of Mass.
May he rest in peace.
