Ver Brian Harper appointed rector of Dunluce

Sunday April 23rd 2023

The Ven Brian Harper.

The Ven Brian Harper, rector of Magheracross Parish, Clogher Diocese, has been appointed as rector of the Parish of Dunluce.

Brian, who has been Archdeacon of Clogher since 2016, is married to Heather and they have three grown-up children – Jonathan, a teacher, and Samuel, a radiographer, both live in Northern Ireland, while daughter Elizabeth works as a nurse in Liverpool. They have one granddaughter.

Originally from Dungiven, Brian attended Limavady Grammar School and has a Degree in Psychology from the University of Liverpool.

Following graduation, he began training at the Church of Ireland Theological College in Dublin and was ordained in 1985, when, at the age of 24, he was the youngest Church of Ireland clergyman on the island.

Brian’s first curacy was in St Columba’s, Portadown, and this was followed by a second curacy in Drumglass Parish, Dungannon. He was rector in Ballygawley, Errigle Keerogue and Killeshill before moving to Mullavilly Parish in Tandragee, where he remained incumbent for 19 years.

Having served all his ministry in the Diocese of Armagh, Brian moved to Clogher Diocese in 2012 when he was appointed rector in Magheracross Parish, Ballinamallard.

Speaking of his move to the north coast, Brian said: “I am looking forward to meeting new people and getting to know everyone in Dunluce Parish. It is a lovely part of the world, and I will be closer to my family. I feel that I have done everything I can do here in Magheracross.”

The Ven Brian Harper, who has been appointed rector of Dunluce Parish, pictured with his family during recent visit to the Giant’s Causeway.

The move will coincide with Heather’s retirement from Castlederg High School where she works as a Sixth Form Supervisor, and Brian and Heather are looking forward to the opportunity to spend time walking, which is something of a passion, accompanied, no doubt, by their three rescue dogs.

The couple are directors of Park Run in Enniskillen, and on Coronation Day Brian is planning on completing his 250^th Park Run! In 2019, he walked the 500-mile Camino in Spain. For the past 12 years, Brian has been Sports Chaplain with Ballinamallard Utd FC.

A date for the Service of Institution in Dunluce will be announced in due course.