Mackin, Denis

Denis Mackin (ca. 1792-1857), Catholic priest, was born at Ballynamona, Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, Ireland, circa 1792. He was ordained a priest in Ireland circa 1818 and arrived in Newfoundland with Bishop Patrick Lambert in that year.

Rev. Mackin's first appointment was as a curate in Immaculate Conception Parish, Harbour Grace, where he served from 1818 to 1832. From 1833 to 1857, he served as the first parish priest of St. Patrick's Parish, Brigus, Conception Bay. During his pastorate at Brigus, Mackin built a parish church, which was consecrated by Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming of St. John's.

Rev. Mackin became a member of the Benevolent Irish Society (BIS) while serving in the Harbour Grace area. He also served as chairman of the Roman Catholic School Board for St. Patrick's Parish, Brigus.

In a letter to Bishop Walsh in Halifax, dated June 24 1842, Bishop Fleming referred to Mackin as his vicar general, and described him as a "genuine Irishman." On 16 November 1851, Rev. Mackin was appointed the first Dean of the Diocese of Newfoundland.

Bishop Michael Francis Howley, in his Ecclesiastical History of Newfoundland, wrote that Dean Mackin was a man of great taste who soon built his parish at Brigus into a beautiful establishment. Mackin named his farm there after the place of his birth -- Ballynamona.

Dean Mackin died at his residence in Brigus on 10 March 1857. He was buried at Brigus.

Created - April 25, 2013

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