Brian D'Arcy

Father Brian D'Arcy (born 1945) is a Passionist priest based in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. A noted author, newspaper columnist, broadcaster and preacher, he serves as Rector of St. Gabriel's Retreat, the Graan.

D'Arcy grew up in the the village of Bellanaleck in County Fermanagh. [D'Arcy, Brian, "A Different Journey", (Sliabh Bán Productions, 2006, ISBN0-9545829-5-0) p.17] His father Hugh worked at Enniskillen railway station ["A Different Journey", p.18] and had been a notable Gaelic Athletic Association footballer in his youth. ["A Different Journey", p.19] The young D'Arcy's education began in a local school before he was sent to the Christian Brothers School in Omagh. ["A Different Journey", p.20] Having successfully sat the Eleven Plus exam, he entered St. Michael's College, Enniskillen. ["A Different Journey", p.21] He later studied scholastic philosophy at UCD."A Different Journey", p.38]

In September 1962, at the age of 17, D'Arcy became a novice at the Passionist monastery in Enniskillen. ["A Different Journey", p.27] A year later he was transferred to Mount Argus in Dublin. He was ordained a priest in December 1969. ["A Different Journey", p.46]

In his early years as a priest, D'Arcy became an unofficial chaplain to the showbusiness community in Dublin, visiting dancehalls seven nights a week and hearing confessions from musicians and fans alike. ["A Different Journey", p.55] Such was his fame during this period that he reportedly became the inspiration for Dermot Morgan's character, Father Brian Trendy. [ [http://archives.tcm.ie/westernpeople/2006/12/06/story34440.asp Connection with Brian Trendy] ]

D'Arcy hosts a weekly radio programme on BBC Northern Ireland [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/religion/ontheair.shtml Weekly radio program] ] called "Religion and Ethics on the air". Since July 1976 he has written the "Father Brian's Little Bit of Religion" column for the "Sunday World". [http://www.emigrant.ie/article.asp?iCategoryID=49&iArticleID=61504 Link to recent article] .

On Sunday 15th April, 2007, D'Arcy replaced Canon Roger Royle on the long standing BBC Radio 2 Show, "Sunday Half Hour". [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/03_march/29/darcy.shtml Press Release from the BBC] ]

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