Fr Benny Fitzpatrick Joined Kinawley Parish in 2014 following many years of missionary work in Lagos.

Father Benny was born in Rathcorrick, Crubany, County Cavan. He was born and reared on the family farm. He has one brother and four sisters. He attended Crubany Primary school and then three years at Saint Patrick's College, Cavan. After he left school, he helped out on the family farm as his father was in failing health and his brother was working in England. Thoughts about becoming a priest began to surface and kept getting stronger. He studied in Saint John's Waterford, having entered the seminary at thirty six. He was ordained on 19th June 1983 in the Cathedral of Saints Patrick & Felim, Cavan. After ordination he was C.C. Newtownmanor, C.C. Bruskey, C.C. Drumkilly. He went to Lagos Nigeria in 1992-1998.

On his return from Lagos in 1998, he became C.C. Clifferna until 2001. He then returned to Lagos until returning home in summer 2013. On February 1st 2004, he became C.C. Kinawley-Killesher, resident in Swanlinbar. During his time in Lagos, he was responsible for building a primary, secondary and technical school within one complex - 30 classrooms, catering for thirty pupils each.This was funded mostly from the Saint Patrick's Day collection in  Kilmore diocese each year and by other friends at home. Fr. Benny was  also a chaplain in the local maximum security prison as well as his parish work, working alongside the Kiltegan fathers. He also helped get two Mass centres going, which will be future churches. He experienced much fulfilment in working with the poor. Fr. Benny encourages those who might have a vocation to respond to that call. He says: 'I am certain that there are young and not so young who have a desire to join the priesthood and religious life, but the present day culture with its attractions can cloud their minds and hearts. Don't let Satan deter you. Remember God loves you just as you are. Take the risk. He will see you through. He did it for me.'