Bishop Duignan, Dana and husband Damien with John McCaffery, President of the Irish Association of Papal Orders.
The 72-year-old Derry born entertainer was formally made a Dame of the Order of Saint Gregory, at a ceremony in Baile Chláir, Co Galway, yesterday evening.
The award is given by Pope Francis, following a detailed nomination process.
Less than 100 others living in Ireland have been similarly honoured, with Dana becoming only the 14th Dame to be conferred in Ireland, after her investiture.
Bishop of Galway and Clonfert Michael Duignan, was the chief celebrant at this evening’s mass, during which he conferred the honour.
In his homily he said that it recognised a lifetime of “faith filled service” to the Catholic Church by the 72-year-old.
Now living in Co Galway, Dana was Ireland’s first Eurovision Song Contest winner in 1971.
She contested Presidential elections in 1997 and 2011 as an Independent candidate, and served a five year term as an MEP for the former Connacht / Ulster constituency between 1999 and 2004.
Read the full report on www.rte.ie
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