The Rev Brian Harper will be instituted in the Parish of Dunluce on Friday August 18. Brian comes to Bushmills from Magheracross Parish, Clogher Diocese, where he was Archdeacon of Clogher.

Brian will be instituted as rector by the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev George Davison. The preacher will be the Rev Gareth Morgan, team vicar of Halewood and Hunts Cross in the Diocese of Liverpool. The service gets underway in the Church of St John the Baptist at 7.30pm.

Brian is married to Heather and they have three grown-up children and one granddaughter.

Originally from Dungiven, he 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. He has been Archdeacon of Clogher since 2016,

Brian succeeds the Rev Canon George Graham who retired last October after 17 years as rector of Dunluce.