The Rev Nancy Gillian Gillespie last night became the first woman priest to be ordained in St Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny when she was raised to the priesthood by Bishop John Neill of Cashel and Ossory. Last December, the Rev Gillespie was ordained deacon in St Canice's and became the only Bishop's Vicar in Ireland or the UK. She will continue in that position and also as curate of the Kilkenny group of parishes.
She comes from Schull, in West Cork, and is the daughter of the late John and Catherine Donovan. After studying at Trinity College Dublin, she became an accountant. In 1994 she entered the Church of Ireland Theological College in Rathgar and received a Diploma in Theology. Among those at last night's ceremony were her husband, Mr Terence Gillespie, her son Garret and her daughter Cara.