TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved priest 'with a gentle soul'.

Canon Eugene Dolan died peacefully at his family home in Castlederg, Northern Ireland.

The parish priest of St Edward's RC Church, in Lees, has been described as a 'truly remarkable man' who did so much for the community.

Hundreds of tributes have been shared as residents express how sorely he will be missed.

The Bishop of Salford, John Arnold, said on behalf of the Diocese of Salford: "We are deeply saddened by the death of Canon Eugene Dolan, Parish Priest of St Edward's, Lees, who passed away on Thursday, December 7.

"Father Eugene will be greatly missed not just by the parishioners of St Edward's where he was parish priest for almost 50 years, but by those people in the wider community who knew and worked with him as a Chair of Governor and school Chaplain in a number of schools.

"Our thoughts are with his family, friends and parishioners, who we keep in our prayers at this time."

Father Dolan was born in Aghyaran, County Tyrone, in Northern Ireland, and studied for the priesthood at All Hallows Seminary in Dublin.

He was ordained as a priest on June 17, 1962 alongside 43 others, before enjoying eight years in Salford.

In June 1970, he moved to St Edward's in Lees, initially as curate and later as parish priest.

Father Dolan was appointed as one of only 10 Canons in the Salford Diocese in 1995.

Under his stewardship, St Edward's parish has been transformed from its former unsettled past into a lively and healthy community.

The canon was said to encourage everyone to 'get involved' in the life of the church and in helping the underprivileged both locally and in Third World countries.

A requiem mass will be held at St Patrick’s Church, Aghyaran, on Monday, December 11 at 12noon, followed by an interment in the adjoining churchyard.

Charles Lynch Funeral Directors, in Castlederg, said in a notice: "Very deeply regretted and sadly missed by his sorrowing sisters, brother, brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews and entire family circle. Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on his soul."