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Days Like this

Con Boyle


Con remembers a special day in 1980.

Con Boyle

"It was brief but it was easy to realise that, as well as being Pope, he was just a man not much different from ourselves. "

The Story

Con and his wife Eithne went to Italy to celebrate their son becoming a Deacon. The next day, at the Pope's summer residence, the Pope celebrated Mass. Afterwards the couple were taken to the Sacristy where they met the Pope privately. After this their wish to tour the Pope's farm was granted.

The story continues...

Religion is an important part of the Boyle family. Con's wife Eithne is the great niece of Bishop Henry Henry of Down and Conor. His photograph is included in the follow up gallery.

Con's grandchild Anna competed in the 2006 Commonwealth games in Melbourne. Many of the Boyle family travelled to Australia to show their support.

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Contributor's Gallery

Con's son, Father Con's Ordination
The Parents Bring Gifts at the ordination
Fr Con and Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II, Con Snr, Eithne and son Fr Con
Con Snr, Eithne and Fr Con
The ordination
Fr Con returns home to Donloy after being ordained. He is joined by 'Pappy's Band'
A recent picture of Fr Con, Eithne and Con Snr at the family farm
Brothers Peter, Fr Con, Vincent, Harry, Bryan, Hugh, sister Grace & Con Snr and Ethnie
The cattle
The Boyle farm. Con Snr has now retired but still helps out his son on the farm
Con Snr, son Fr Con and grandson Con og

Follow Up Gallery

Brothers Con and Peter, early '60s
A young Father Con, aged 7
Con, Hugh, Peter, Vincent, Grace, Bryan & John - Con's Children. Missing from the photo - Baby Harry
Peter, Con and Grace
John Boyle. The teenager was shot in 1978 at a graveyard in Dunloy. He had discovered weapons which his family reported to police. When the sixteen year old returned to see if the cache had been removed he was controversially shot by the SAS
Bill Boyle, Phil Boyle, Con, Grace and Margaret Boyle - In Australia for the Commonwealth Games
Go Anna!
The Boyle Clan
Bishop Henry Henry of Down and Conor Diocese - Eithne's Great Uncle
Fr Con aged 12 at St. Malachys College Belfast. (His cousin in the window)