Castlederg to remember Bishop Edward Daly

The Tyrone village, which acted as the late retired Bishop's first posting as a young priest, will host a special mass of remembrance at 7:30PM tonight at the village's St. Patrick's Church. The service coincides with mass to be held at St. Eugene's Cathedral in Derry were his remains will stay until his funeral on Thursday.

As people across the North West and beyond come together to mourn the passing of the retired Bishop Edward Daly, the parishioners of Castlederg will also gather to remember the clergyman who's own priestly origins began in the County Tyrone village.

Tributes to the Belleek-born Bishop Emeritus of Derry have been paid from figures across the political divide and from around the world.

Fellow Fermanagh native, First Minister Arlene Foster said he'd made a "significant contribution" to the Peace Process here.

"Bishop Daly devoted his life to serving and helping others, quietly undertaking a wide range of charitable works in the local community," she said.

"During the darker moments of our recent past [he argued] that violence should be rejected and articulated a vision based on respect and tolerance."

Father Edward Daly, as he was then, was ordained in 1957 and spent five years in Castlederg before moving on to Derry were he was curate at St. Eugene's Cathedral. 

Current parish priest, Father Colm O'Doherty says the young curate made a lasting impression on people living there.

"He was so well liked by the people, so well liked by so many families in Castlederg and beyond. So, he certainly had a great love for both people and for families and his presence certainly made such a deep impression on so many people," he said.

Paying tribute to Bishop Daly, Father Colm remembers being ordained by the man dubbed "a towering figure" of Northern Ireland's recent past. 

"I was very honored to be ordained to the priesthood, myself and Archbishop Eamon Martin, by Bishop Daly himself in 1987. We were ordained together in St. Eugene's Cathedral. I'm from Derry City myself, and I've always known him throughout my whole life. And it is very sad, I know he hasn't been well for quite some time. His sickness has been a very trying time for him and his family and for his many friends. He will be sorely missed, he was so well-known by so many and by so many families throughout the diocese," he added.

A mass of remembrance for Bishop Edward Daly will take place tonight at 7:30 PM at St. Patrick's Church in Castlederg.