*Cllr Tony O’Brien presents Bernárd Lynch with a civic reception presentation scroll. Photograph: Eamon Ward.
ENNIS NATIVE, Bernárd Lynch has been bestowed with the highest honour that Clare County Council can bestow upon a citizen or group, a civic reception.
Bernárd’s work in fighting for equal rights for the LGBTQIA+ community and people with HIV/AIDS was applauded at a civic reception in Áras Contae an Chláir on Friday where balloons of all colour lit up the headquarters of the local authority.
Born in St Michael’s Villas, Ennis in 1947, Bernárd became the first Catholic priest in the world to have a civil partnership in 2006. Eleven years later, he married his partner Billy Desmond at The Armada Hotel in Spanish Point in what is believed to be the first gay marriage in Co Clare.
He was also the first the first priest of a mainline church to march publicly in London’s Pride Parade in 1992. That same year, he founded a support group for Catholic gay priests which still operates to the present day.
Lynch has worked for the rights of LGBTQIA+ people and people with HIV/AIDS for almost fifty years. He was honoured with the Magnus Hirschfeld Award 1988 for outstanding service to the cause of Irish LGBT civil rights.
In 2017, Bernárd received a proclamation from the New York City Council honouring his more than 40 years of service to the LGBT and AIDS communities in the city. He received Presidential Distinguished Service Awards for the Irish Abroad for 2019, in the Charitable Works category by President Michael D. Higgins.
While working in New York, Bernárd founded the first AIDS ministry and was drafted on to the Mayor of New York’s Task Force on AIDS. This was documented by Channel 4 U.K. in two documentaries: ‘AIDS: A Priest’s Testament’ in 1987; and ‘Soul Survivor’ in 1990.
As documented in the Channel 4 documentary, ‘A Priest on Trial’ in 1990, Bernárd’s support for LGBTQIA+ rights brought down on him a false prosecution perpetrated by Church and government officials, from which he won total exoneration and was declared “fiercely innocent” by Justice Burton Roberts in the Bronx Supreme Court on 21st April 1989.
Friday’s civic reception was attended by Bernárd’s family and friends who sat in the public gallery and also in the Council chamber. Nine elected members of the Council were present, namely, Mayor of Clare, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF), Cllr Paul Murphy (FG), Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF), Cllr Ann Norton (IND), Cllr Mary Howard (FG), Cllr Pat Burke (FG), Cllr Pat Daly (FF), Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) and Cllr Pat Hayes (FF). Apologies were received from Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG), Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) and Council Chief Executive, Pat Dowling for their absence.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (FG) issued his congratulations to Bernárd in a video message. “I would love to be there in person but it is not possible given the schedule this week,” he admitted. He lauded the “enormous contribution” made by the Clare man in standing up for the LGBTQIA+ community and thanked him for his work on HIV campaigns. “I am really glad Clare County Council is having this celebration,” the Taoiseach commented.
Speaking at the civic reception, Cllr O’Brien hailed the “outstanding impact Bernárd has had on society from Co Clare to New York and far beyond that”. He noted the long list of accolades Bernárd has received in his lifetime and added, “I hope today will be remembered as a highlight for you with recognition from your home county”. The message from the Taoiseach “shows the esteem you are held in not just in Clare but nationally,” the Killaloe representative felt.
A proposal for the civic reception was tabled by Cllr Murphy in March. The Clarecastle admitted, “I’ve been a member of Clare County Council since 2007, recognising the achievements of my first cousin Bernárd has been on my mind since but I didn’t want to abuse my position but a few things changed my mind”. Among these were the recognition from President Higgins in 2019 and ‘Falsely Accused’ a Clare FM documentary produced by Padraic Flaherty released in January 2023. “You are a perfect example of being a Lynch, a handsome fella, somewhat stubborn but a steely determination in advocating for the under privileged and those who need a helping hand,” he stated.
Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Colleran Molloy labelled Bernárd as “a hero”. She said, “you are clearly deserving of this civic honour, I applaud Paul for putting this forward, maybe he took too long but it got overwhelming support”.
An interview with Bernárd on Clare FM’s Morning Focus was also referenced by Cllr Norton, “it was wonderful to hear people congratulating you from all over the county”. She continued, “I admire your strength and determination, we wouldn’t have a country or world without people like you highlighting the differences that are within people”.
“It is very special to be here. You deserve this and so much more,” Cllr Howard outlined. “You came on my radar in the late 80s with Gay Byrne, you were so brave with the battle you were fighting”. The Ennis woman drew parallels with Bernárd and Princess Diana, “Your battle and journey reminded me a lot of Princess Diana, she helped people with AIDS but you were out on the beat ahead of her”.
Shannon based Cllr McGettigan described it as “an absolute honour to be here with you”. She added, “days like this make it more welcome for people” and she told the gathering that her son was transgender. “When you see the Pride flag flying outside you know you are home,” Donna observed.
Heartiest congratulations were voiced by Cllr Burke who said he delayed coming to the Council offices for business he had to get through by twenty four hours to make sure he was present for the civic reception.
Pictures of Elton John, Paul McCartney, President Higgins and Senator David Norris with Bernárd all appeared in a slideshow running throughout the reception and it was referenced by Cllr Daly who recounted that Bernárd once nicknamed him “The Bishop” but that it was clear from a young age which of them would enter the priesthood. “You could have taken the easy option and been parish priest of Whitegate or Killaloe but you went to New York City and took on the system, you were a brave man and ahead of your time,” he remarked.
Knowledge of Bernárd’s story only became known to Cllr Hayes when he listened to the Clare FM documentary, “it was an inspiration to us all, your story is one we should all listen to”. He added, “from the people of East Clare and the whole county, we are very proud of you”.
Speaking on behalf of the Council management, Acting Director of Services, Siobhán McNulty congraluated Bernárd on his achievements and “endless dedication” to the LGBTQIA+ community and people with HIV Aids.
