Rev Fr Patrick Abberton

Parish Priest in Killimor, Co Galway at the time of his death

Tom Keane, Cork

Fr Pat Abberton
Courtesy: Tom Keane, Cork
Fr Pat Abberton giving a blessing to his mother, Maria Abberton, on the occasion of his ordination.
Courtesy: Paula Abberton

Patrick Abberton was born in Abbey in 1914.  He attended Abbey National School and later St Joseph’s College, Ballinasloe.

He studied for the priesthood in Maynooth and St Peter’s College, Wexford and was ordained priest for the Diocese of Clonfert in St Brendan’s Cathedral, Loughrea in 1942.

Fr Abberton served as chaplain to Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe and St Joseph’s College, Ballinasloe. He was appointed as Curate in Kilrickle prior to his appointment as Parish Priest in Killimor where he served until his untimely death in 1978.

His family and extended family members remember Fr Pat as being a central figure in the family, just as the church was the focal point in his parish.  Nothing happened in the family without reference to him and what he represented.

As a priest, he had a continuous eye on the things of the next world and gently brought others in that direction, by example and involvement.

Always in good humour, he reached out and made himself available, wherever needed.

At the time of his death, his bishop Dr. Cassidy, spoke of him as “a man who had transported half of his parishioners to hospital and had brought the other half to visit them”.

Fr Pat had contracted tuberculosis in his early twenties and spent most of his working life with one collapsed lung.

He died on 5th February 1978 at the age of sixty four.

This page was added on 07/05/2020.

Comments about this page

  • Hello,
    My name is Thomas Madden. We visited the Abberton Family Farm in July of 1969. My grandmother was Agnes Abberton (Madden) and was related to the late Reverend Patrick Abberton. My mother Barbara Madden married Joseph Madden, my father, who is Agnes Abberton’s son.
    We were in touch with Terry Abberton during our stay and also had correspondence with Kathleen Abberton (Lynch) of Abbey Loughrea, County Galway. We also connected with Mr. & Mrs. Moclair, not sure how or if they are related to the Abberton’s.
    We are visiting Ireland in July of 2024 and would like to reconnect with family. Any information regarding the Abberton’s would be appreciated. madden.t@comcast.net

    By Thomas Madden (12/02/2024)

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