A priest with big hands and a bigger heart

Moylough native rubbed shoulders with Princess Grace and Pele

WHEN you mention Canon Tom Cummins to those who knew him, they immediately recall his imposing stature and massive hands, writes Mairead O’Brien.

Although he oversaw and raised funds for many building projects in Westport and Lackagh, and made international news when he escorted Princess Grace of Monaco on her pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick in 1961, it is his warmth, courtesy, generosity, humour and earthiness that people remember long after his death.

Canon Tom was my maternal grandfather’s second cousin – my great-great-grandparents were John Reynolds from Gurteen, Mountbellew, and Margaret Cummins, Canon Tom’s grand-aunt. The Cummins family lived in Annaghmore, Moylough, and Tom was the youngest of the 12 children of Daniel Cummins (1858-1938) and Mary Mullin (1866-1934)…

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