The Cathaoirleach of the Ballina Municipal District, Cllr Annie May Reape, has welcomed the news that an Attymass native has been designated venerable by Pope Francis.
Fr Patrick Peyton, who was well known as the Rosary Priest, was born in Attymass in 1909 and this week was designated venerable, generally seen as the first step towards beatification and canonisation.
He was ordained in 1941 and spent many years organised rosary rallies around the world.
Fr Peyton passed away in California in 1992, and a campaign has been under way for a number of years to have him declared a saint.
Welcoming the news at this week's monthly meeting of the Ballina Municipal District Cllr Reape said it was great news for north Mayo and Attymass in particular. "Hopefully some day we will be talking about a saint from right here in the heart of the district and the county," she added.
