Portlaoise priest thanks people after RTÉ The Tommy Tiernan Show interview

Portlaoise priest Fr David Vard thanked well-wishers after his primetime TV appearance on The Tommy Tiernan Show on RTÉ.

In a wide-ranging interview, Fr David Vard (30), who is a curate in Portlaoise Parish, described finding his vocation and how he navigates the world of being a priest in Ireland. 

When he met Tommy Fr Vard, who is from Newbridge, described Portlaoise "the heart of the Midlands". 

Still the youngest priest in Ireland after being ordained five years ago, Fr Vard described on the show that he thought he was "finished" with the Catholic Church after his Confirmation.

He said he grew up in Ireland when the Church was just 'bad news'.

However, he later went on a pilgrimage to Lourdes and was profoundly affected by the experience.

Speaking about his journey into priesthood, he said: "I often describe it to people as falling in love. So I had that period at 16 or 17 of falling in love with God and the church.

"And then entering a seminary at 18 and continuing that in a deeper way. And realising that this god is good and this god loves me. And this god wants me to be a solider in this world for him.

"And falling in love with that idea, and taking that idea and owning it in my way. He's calling me, David Vard, and what does that mean? For me? And how can I be me as a priest in this world?"

Tweeting after the interview Fr Vard said: "Thank you everyone for your nice comments!"

He added: "Cheers to Tommy Tiernan and every who worked on the show that night in RTE." 

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON THE RTÉ PLAYER HERE