(by "Mayo News" Reporter)
When Radio Officer Jim Meaney, Newport arrived in Sydney Harbour, Australia last month after a 12,000 mile trip on the British P.O. Liner, Strathnaver, he was looking forward to his usual visit to Fr. Paul Fitzgerald, Kilmeena, who is ministering there.
You can imagine Jim's surprise and joy when two days later a visitor to his ship was none other than Fr. Joe McGovern, Newport. Fr. Joe is stationed at Grafton 300 miles away and was on business in the locality when told by Fr. Fitzgerald of his townsman's arrival.
When Jim arrived home, on holidays last week he brought the welcome news to Mrs. Maria McGovern, Newport and a special message from her son who left home five years ago.
Mayo News , March 23, 1957
As briefly reported in last week's issue, the death took place of Mrs. Maria McGovern. Castlebar St., Newport. At Concelebrated Mass for her soul in St. Patrick's Church, Newport, the principal celebrant was Fr. Joe McGovern (son), Los Angeles, assisted by Rev. Fr. Martin . McGovern (son), Los Angeles. Fr. Frank McManamon Fiji Islands, Fr. Michael Tobin. C.C., Castlebar and also Fr. Tom Gibbons, Chaplain, Castlemagarret; Fr. John Meaney. Phillipines; Fr. J. Killeen, C.C., Belmullet; Canon T. Killeen, Newport: Canon M. F. Hennelly, P.P., Dunmore: V. Rev. Fr. E. McEllin, P.P.. Newport; Archdeacon C. Heaney, P.P., Castlebar; V. Rev. Fr. P. Prendergast. P.P., Leenane; Fr. Lynch, St. Lucy Convent, Newport: Fr. P. Gill, C.C.. Mulranny; Fr. King, C.C., Westport; Fr. S. Ludden, C.C., Castlebar. Fr. A. Devine, CC. do.; Fr. L. Berry, P.P., Robeen; Fr. R. Horan, C.C., Claremorris: Fr. P. Corkell, Sacramento, California: Fr. A. O'Connor Anamein, do.; Fr. Knight. Los Angeles; Fr. J. O'Connor, Fresna, California; Fr. Pierse, Los Angeles do.; Fr. Glynn. Columbian Fathers, Los Angeles; Fr. B. Jennings, Los Angeles.
Among the large attendance representing all sections of the community at the funeral to Kilbride Cemetery, were Messrs. Myles Staunton, T.D., and Denis Gallagher, T.D.
She is survived by her sons, Paddy, New York, Tommy, London; Father martin and Father Joe McGovern, Los Angeles; Willie, Dublin; daughter, Mr. Lily Whelan, Los Angeles.
Mayo News, September 14, 1974