Introduction of new Priest-in-Charge in the Glens

Friday March 13th 2026

At the Introduction of the Rev Alan McCracken as Priest-in-Charge the Grouped Parishes of Ardclinis, Tickmacrevan, Layde and Cushendun are, from left: The Ven Paul Dundas, Archdeacon of Dalriada; the Rev Canon William Taggart, Registrar; the Rev Alan McCracken; the Rt Rev George Davision, Bishop of Connor; and the Very Rev Liz Fitzgerald, Dean of Raphoe, preacher.

The Rev Alan McCracken was introduced as Priest-in-Charge the Grouped Parishes of Ardclinis, Tickmacrevan, Layde and Cushendun in the Glens of Antrim at a service in St Mary’s, Ardclinis, on Thursday March 12.

Alan comes to the Glens from the Parishes of Moville Upper and Lower, Donagh, Cloncha and Culdaff, Diocese of Derry and Raphoe, where he was Bishop’s Curate.

Some of the group of 33 from the five Donegal parishes in which Alan previously serviced as Bishop’s Curate who travelled to his Service of Introduction in the Glens.

Alan, who is married to Karen, grew up in Newtownabbey and worshipped in St John’s Whitehouse, Diocese of Connor. He served with the Royal Irish Rangers and worked as a financial consultant for several years, but missed army life, and in 2008, re-enlisted into the Army Reserve, serving with the 2^nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment.

Alan obtained a Master’s Degree in Theology through the Church of Ireland Theological Institute and was ordained at St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, in September 2020 to serve his deacon internship at The United Parish of Christ Church and St John’s, in Ballyclare. A year later, Alan was ordained a priest at a service in All Saints, Clooney, to serve as Bishop’s Curate for the Moville Group of Parishes.

He left the Royal Irish Regiment in 2021, and transferred to the Royal Army Chaplains Department, serving as a chaplain in the Army Cadet Force, supporting young people in their growth and development.

Among those who attended the Service of Introduction were a large number of parishioners from the five churches in which Alan had served in Donegal who travelled to Carnlough by bus.

Alan was introduced as Priest-in-Charge by the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev George Davison. The preacher was the Very Rev Liz Fitzgerald, Dean of Raphoe.

Photos courtesy of Douglas Tyler