Prayer Calendar: Deceased Priests who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts, 1864–2025, Compiled by Annie Carrett, Diocesan Archivist, 2001, Updated by Gabrielle Saide, Diocesan Archivist, 2023:
Rev Francis Dorrigan, died 19 July 1919

Francis Dorrigan was born 11th January 1857, at Johnston's Bridge, Co. Leitrim, Ireland, the son of William Dorrigan and Anne Mulligan. He was educated at St Mel's, Longford, and attended St Mary's Preparatory Seminary in Moyne from which he entered All Hallows College in Dublin. He was ordained priest there on 11th March 1883. He immediately set out for Brisbane arriving there in June 1883. The rest of his life was spent at the following places: Assistant Priest, Ipswich (1883-1884); South Brisbane (1884-1887); Red Hill (1887-1892); South Brisbane (1882-1919). Pugh's list him as serving in Warwick in 1884. He died on 19th July 1919 and is buried in Nudgee Cemetery.
(Ref. Linane D74, Pugh's and Brisbane Archives.)

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.

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Denis M. Long, Pioneer and Early Priests, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Deceased or retired by 1929, 2021, pp 157-158:
Very Rev Fr Francis Dorrigan VF

Francis Dorrigan was born on the townland of Johnstonbridge via Bornacoola in co Leitram Ireland on 15 January 1857 to William and Annie (nee Mulligan) Dorrigan. Francis began his education at St Mel's in Longford and St Mary's Preparatory Seminary in Moyne. From 1879 to 1883 he studied theology at All Hallows Missionary College in Dublin. He was ordained a priest for the Brisbane mission with Fr James Lonergan at All Hallows by Bishop Crane on 11 March 1883.(1)

Fathers Dorrigan and James Lonergan sailed from London on the vessel the Chimborazo to arrive in Sydney on 7 June 1883 via Melbourne. Fr Dorrigan arrived in Brisbane aboard the Elamang on 11 June.

Shortly after his arrival Father Dorrigan was assigned as a curate to Fr James Horan in Warwick. He made a deep impression on the people of Warwick. He was given a farewell at which he was presented with:

a purse of fifty-two sovereigns, as well as a purse of less pretentious appearances, but, containing sterling coins, emblematical of the sterling character of their late respected curate.
One speaker said: I do hope when his Lordship wants to make another change he will go to some other part of the diocese, but I suppose he thinks that under the able tuition of Father Horan for twelve months they are so well disciplined, they can go to any part of the world.
The Rev Fr Corrigan, in a brief but eloquent speech, referred to the intimate relationship which existed from boyhood between himself and the Rev Father Dorrigan, his respect for whom had deepened as the years rolled on.(2)

On 16 September 1884 after just one year in Warwick Fr Dorrigan was transferred to South Brisbane. He resided at St Killian's College in Graham Street South Brisbane.(3) He was to spend three and half years with the pastoral care of the South Brisbane which at that time was still part of the Cathedral parish of Brisbane.

On 10 October 1887 he transferred to care for the Red Hill district. The pupils and teachers at St Killian's gave him a farewell with the gift of two Indian Veranda chairs. At Red Hill he built a presbytery and a school.(4) Archbishop Duhig in his eulogy at Fr Dorrigan's funeral mentioned that he was the first parish priest of Red Hill.(5)

In 1891 Fr Dorrigan was transferred to South Brisbane as priest-in-charge of that mission. There he built a new church costing £3500; and a presbytery costing £600; and a school – all of which were quickly cleared of debt. In 1913 he made a trip to his native Ireland.

On Saturday 19 July 1919 after a long illness during the severe pneumonic influenza epidemic Fr Dorrigan died in the presbytery at South Brisbane. He was 62 years of age. His curate Fr Keating had died from the same epidemic just two weeks prior.

Fr Dorrigan's name appeared frequently in the printed press over the years. Many local and interstate newspapers carried accounts of his death and funeral. A picture of the priest and his ministry is preserved in the eulogy of one who had known him for over 20 years, Archbishop James Duhig.

He had done everything practical for the people of South Brisbane, with the exception of building the first wooden church structure. He had built the present noble edifice of St Mary's, and the fine school adjoining the presbytery. Although, the Archbishop continued, the late Father Dorrigan had a staunch and generous people behind him, he always went in front of them in generosity. All his parishioners knew Father Dorrigan's impulsive, generous nature. God only knew the charity he dispensed, for Father Dorrigan did not let his right hand know what his left hand did. They saw him at his daily tasks – always at his place in his church, at their homes in time of trouble or distress, Saturday after Saturday night at the confessional – in a word always about his Master's business. He knew of no priest who paid more devotion to his duty. Father Dorrigan had certain characteristics of his own. There was nothing artificial about him, he believed in plain speaking and was transparently honest. He loved his people and they loved him. He was esteemed not only as a priest, but as a citizen. After long months of suffering on a sick bed God had purified his soul and taken him to Himself. They might be comforted by the knowledge that Father Dorrigan's soul was now in Heaven, and that he had heard his Master say, 'well done, thou good and faithful servant'.(6)

The solemn pontifical requiem Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Duhig who was assisted by his vicar-general Monsignor James Byrne. Fr O'Flynn was the deacon and Fr O'Leary the sub-deacon. The newspaper reported that there were thirty priests in attendance at the Mass. It also published a list of many people present at the funeral including his cousin Mr J Conway, leaders of church organisations and prominent citizens.

The cortege was preceded by school children and altar boys from St Mary's and a squad of students from St Laurence's college. It was fully three quarter of a mile in length, and while passing through South Brisbane continuous crowds lined the street right up to Victoria Bridge.(7)

Fr Dorrigan was buried in the priests' section of Nudgee Catholic cemetery.

The deceased clergyman was a big-hearted man, who was esteemed by his fellow priests, and by the people.(8)

Footnotes
1. Kevin Condon cm, The Missionary College of All Hallows 1842 – 1891, 1986, student number 1561, p. 345.
2. Warwick Examiner and Times, 20 Sep 1884, p. 2.
3. Pugh's Almanac 1885, 1887.
4. Age, Brisbane.
5. Daily Mail, Brisbane, 21 Jul 1919, p. 6.
6. Daily Mail, Brisbane, 22 Jul 1919, p. 6.
7. Ibid.
8. Telegraph, Brisbane, 21 Jul 1919, p. 5.

Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Long.