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News
New Rector appointed to Carrickmacross group of parishes
Revd Ian Cruickshank.
A new Rector has been appointed to Carrickmacross, Magheracloone and Ardagh in Clogher Diocese.
The Revd Ian Cruickshank has been nominated by the Board of Nomination and appointed by the Bishop of Clogher. He is currently Rector of Killanne and Killegney Union in the diocese of Ferns.
Bishop Ian Ellis commented; “I am delighted to welcome Revd Ian Cruickshank to this diocese as Rector of the Carrickmacross group of parishes. He brings much understanding of rural ministry from his current diocese in Fern’s and a wide variety of experience of ministry from other settings. I feel sure Revd Ian’s warm nature and many skills will be much welcomed by the parishioners of his new parishes”.
Accepting his appointment, Revd Cruickshank said; “I am especially thankful for all the amazing people I have met over the years and look forward to trying to be of benefit to the parishioners of Carrickmacross, Magheracloone and Ardragh, the diocese and wider community, hopefully bringing different experiences to enhance and develop the lives of many.”
Revd Cruickshank is originally from Aberdeen, North-east Scotland, but presently residing in Clonroche, Enniscorthy, Wexford.
Following his education in Aberdeen, he worked in a number of jobs including the oil rigs and the North Sea fishing fleets before training in theology at Belfast Bible College and Church of Ireland Theological College, Dublin.
He had been involved in itinerate ministry earlier in his life when he was given the opportunity to help lead short term mission teams to Kosova after the war, working mainly with widows with young children and teens.
Apart from the family, his other interests include, football, motorbikes and his pets.
Since ordination in the Church of Ireland, he served his curacy in Bray, Co. Wicklow where he was chaplain to Bray Wanderers FC and had his first incumbency in Killcooley Parish, County Tipperary. While in Co. Tipperary, Revd Cruickshank decided to undertake a basic course in agriculture, milking cows six mornings a week for two years.
He also spent two years in Ballygawley, County Tyrone where one of the main focuses was to reconnect with young adults, beginning a 18-30 year’s group who as well as enjoying great craic, most of them went on a trip to Ethiopia to help with children at a local school and introduced a water purification unit to 24 families set up in their homes, to give them clean water for the first time.
He then moved to Sydenham in East Belfast engaging with the local community through chaplaincy work serving as the first chaplain to Harland & Wolff Welders Football Club who play in the Northern Ireland Championship League. He said it was an amazing experience being able to draw alongside, support and develop relationships.
For the past five years he has been involved in ministry in the rural parishes of Killanne and Killegney Union, and over the past three years has also taken on responsibility for the neighbouring Union of New Ross and Fertagh.
The date for Revd Cruickshank’s institution will be announced in due course.