The surprise birthday party in Armagh with the Archbishop surrounded by his diocesan clergy.
The clergy in the Diocese of Armagh recently held a surprise party for Archbishop John McDowell to mark in advance, his 70th birthday which is on 20th January 2026. Behind the scenes planning ensured that the Primate was totally unaware that more than thirty of his clergy had gathered in Armagh for the special celebratory dinner in his honour.
The Dean of Armagh, the Very Reverend Shane Forster, noted in a speech on the night, that Archbishop John’s journey within the Church, since his ordination in 1996 had brought him from Connor Diocese to Down Diocese, on to Clogher Diocese and then, nearly six years ago, to the Diocese of Armagh. He was elected Primate by the House of Bishops on 11th March 2020 and within days the country, and then the world, went into lockdown! The global lockdown was of course not because of Archbishop John’s election but due to the Covid pandemic. It meant though that it wasn’t the easiest start to a new job. Yet with confidence, dignity and his usual sense of calm, he steered the diocese, and indeed the Church of Ireland, through one of the most difficult chapters in its history.
The Archbishop with his twin brother, Jim.
Archbishop John pictured in Armagh
When he was enthroned as Archbishop in September 2021, Covid restrictions, with social distancing, were still being enforced and so only a small number of people were able to attend the service in the Cathedral. Unlike his predecessors, Archbishop John therefore arrived and got on with the task in hand without fanfare, and with limited ceremony. There was no formal reception with speeches of welcome or the traditional tea and buns! The surprise party held in Armagh was therefore one way in which the clergy could say thank you to Archbishop John for his service to the Church, his ministry in Armagh, his support, leadership, and friendship. His wisdom, encouragement and candid sense of humour are all greatly valued and appreciated in the diocese, and the dinner in his honour showed the high regard he is held in by his clergy.
All present at the dinner extended to the Primate their very best wishes as he now reaches what the psalmist
referred to as his ‘three score years and ten’ and wished him a very ‘Happy 70th Birthday.’
The Church of Ireland Theological College Class of 1996.
Archbishop John is fifth from the left in the back row.