Bishop’s cousin flies in for historic Bunbury event

By Bridget Spinks
A BANKER from Letterkenny in County Donegal and a first cousin of Bishop Gerard Holohan’s returned to Bunbury for five days especially to witness the dedication of the new St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Brothers in Christ: Bishop Gerard Holohan of Bunbury with his first cousin and Irishman Tony Murray, who visited Australia for the Dedication of St Patrick’s Cathedral on 17 March, the feast of St Patrick. Photo: Bridget Spinks

Irishman Tony Murray, twelve years his counsin’s senior, said he came out ten years ago with one brother and three sisters and spouses to witness the Ordination in 2001 and he “returned for the dedication of the wonderful Cathedral”.
“Our family kept in close contact with our lone emigrant cousin as he was growing up as a young boy in Vic Park in Perth.
“Sadly, we never got to meet his father, Joe. But we were in touch with his progress from primary school through our mutual uncle, a wonderful Carmelite priest, Fr Gerard Holohan ODC.”
Tony described the new Cathedral as a “revelation of colour, space and simplicity”.
“The family ties in Ireland are very strong; mainly because my family, the Murrays, numbering 10, were orphaned at an early age during the 1940s. Despite not having parents, we said the family Rosary every night,” he said. 
Tony said the Holohan family are originally from Galway.