“Father Joe meant a lot to me”



[ad_1]

United States President Donal Trump sent a message of condolence to the relatives of the late retired Doonbeg pastor, Co Clare, who died last month.

In a letter to the family of Father Joe Haugh, Trump spoke fondly of his memories of the priest whom he had met during a series of visits to his West Clare golf course in recent years.

Father Haugh was an honorary member of the Doonbeg Golf Club which, along with the associated hotel complex, was purchased by the business magnate in 2014 before running for the presidency of the United States.

The priest had regularly praised the work done by the businessman at the Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in Doonbeg for the benefits it had brought for local employment.

In an interview with a local newspaper, Father Haugh commented that there was a place in heaven for Trump after the businessman asked him when they met in 2014 to “take me to heaven.”

When asked to explain his point of view, Father Haugh commented, “He loves his neighbor, he has done a lot for his neighbor.”

On another occasion, the priest acknowledged that he had never seen the President of the United States or his children at Mass. However, he added; “Okay. They do enough for us.”

During President Trump’s visit to Doonbeg in 2019, Father Haugh presented a framed photograph of Doonbeg Castle to the politician’s sons, Eric and Donald Jnr, to thank them for their contribution to the area’s economy.

Father Haugh (87), who originally came from Coolmeen, Co Clare, died in a nursing home in Kilrush on April 4.

The one-page letter signed by the family of the President of the United States was sent to Father Haugh’s family a few days after the priest’s death.

In the message to the priest’s brother, Tommy, Mr. Trump wrote: “As you know, Father Joe meant a lot to me, my children, and the whole community.”

The President of the United States said he had many different memories of the priest, including the time they spent together in 2016 at the reopening of the golf course at his Doonbeg resort.

“His brother provided a very special blessing that we all greatly appreciate,” he added.

Trump continued: “The loss of Father Joe will be felt deeply among all of us, and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet him and spend time with him.”

The President offered his condolences and prayers and those of his entire family to the relatives of Father Haugh in what he described as “a difficult time.”

In an interview on Clare FM, the priest’s nephew, Enda Haugh, expressed his gratitude to Trump for taking the time to write such a personal letter to his family.

“It was a lovely gesture with everything that is happening right now with the current pandemic,” said Haugh.

Father Haugh was ordained a priest in 1957 and served as the pastor of Doonbeg between 1995 and 2008 and as an assistant priest until his death.

While the priest’s funeral was private in accordance with government and HSE guidelines, hundreds of local residents flocked to pay their respects when their hearse passed by the parish before a Requiem Mass at Doonbeg Parish Church.

A memorial mass to celebrate his life will be held at a later date.

[ad_2]