Ministry Team

Rev Denis MacCarthy

Rev Denis MacCarthy

Denis originates from Gurranabraher in the north side of Cork City. He is married to Noelle and has two children. On leaving school Denis’ first job was as a delivery boy in a maternity hospital. He has also worked as a taxi driver and a tutor in the FAS community training centre catering for early school leavers in the Glen, Blackpool and Faranree area.

Denis studied at the Pontifical University and the National University in Maynooth and at University College Cork, before going on to train at the Church of Ireland Theology College, Braemor Park, Dublin.

Denis was instituted as Rector in the Mallow Union of Parishes in 2008.

Diocesan Readers

The office of Reader is an ancient one which goes back to the early Church. Over the centuries it has been revived on a number of occasions and in 1907 the General Synod requested the bishops to institute the office into the Church of Ireland – in 1909 this came into effect. The Diocesan Reader is licenced to lead Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, the Service of the Word and to preach.

Avril Gubbins

Avril Gubbins

Having done a three year preparatory course, Avril was licenced as a Diocesan Reader in 2003. She lives in Doneraile Parish with her husband, Pat, who is a Dairy Farmer. Her family, the Evans family, have lived in this area since 1694 and have been very active both in the church and the wider community. Avril’s father, a keen campanologist, was instrumental in keeping the Doneraile Bells going throughout his lifetime.
Avril sees her ministry, while serving within the Church of Ireland, essentially as reaching out to anyone in need. Also of great importance to Avril is her involvement in the local interdenominational prayer group, which meets in Doneraile each Tuesday night.

Olive Buckley

Olive Buckley

Olive originates from Dublin and has lived in the area since her marriage to Billy. Olive has been very active in the wider Doneraile community for many years paticularly in the areas of Parish and hospital ministry.

Lay Liturgical Assistants

Lay Liturgical Assistants – formerly known in the Diocese as Parish Readers (as opposed to Diocesan Readers) – are recognised leaders within their own parish communities. They are given permission by the Bishop, following a short period of training, to lead Mattins and Evening Prayer or a Service of the Word, in parishes which have so many churches that it would not be possible otherwise to gather the people for worship in every church on every Sunday. They are not permitted to preach.

Susan Buckley

Susan Buckley had her licence as a Lay Liturgical Assistant renewed in 2008.