Obituaries 23-03-2013
Fr Nicholas Dunican, Johnstown
His love of music, respect for the Eucharist, and bonding with his parishioners were recalled over the weekend following the passing of the retired parish priest of Johnstown and Walterstown, Fr Nicholas Dunican, at Knightsbridge Nursing Home, Trim, aged 79.
Fr Dunican, who retired as parish priest in 2007, died on Friday. A native of Kilbeggan in Co Westmeath, he had served as curate in Delvin, Kingscourt and Kells, before being appointed parish priest of Johnstown in 1988.
Leading the celebration of his funeral Mass on Monday, the Bishop of Meath, Dr Michael Smith, described Fr Dunican as having ‘an eye and an ear for beauty’, highlighting the stained glass windows around them in the Church in Johnstown as evidence of this. Fr Dunican had commissioned and installed the colourful windows as a Great Jubilee project of 2000.
Bishop Smith said that he was glad that Fr Dunican had lived to see the sod being turned on the new St Stephen’s National School in Johnstown, even though he wasn’t well enough to be at the ceremony. He had fought and campaigned long for this, and didn’t always get the support he should have, the bishop remarked.
The homily was delivered by Fr Peter Farrelly, PP, Yellow Furze, who had known Nicholas Dunican since they sat together at the back of the class at St Finian’s College, Mullingar, in 1947. He recalled Fr Dunican’s love of singing and music, and how he did St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, proud when RTE Radio was broadcasting a ceremony from the college to launch a new Holy Week liturgy in the 1950s, excelling in the choir. He recalled Fr Dunican’s appointment to a parish where a PP wasn’t that keen on music - and a piano arrived at the parochial house before the new curate even arrived, taking up a lot of room in the curate’s quarters!
Fr Farrelly spoke of Fr Dunican’s connection with people, through the heart. He recalled a tale of an old parish priest of Kilbeggan who told a visiting priest that, while the clergy in England speak from the pulpit, the clergy in Ireland speak from the heart. Fr Dunican spoke from the heart, and to the heart, he said.
Receiving Fr Dunican’s remains at Johnstown Church on Sunday evening, current Johnstown parish priest, Fr Michael Cahill recalled the challenges faced by the deceased priest when Johnstown expanded rapidly in the 1990s and 2000s. He said that when he came to the parochial house in Johnstown, he saw three aerial photographs of Johnstown, one from the 1970s, and photographs from the following decades showing how the area had grown from a crossroads village to an area of thousands of homes.
Fr Dunican never looked on this as demographic development or economic expansion, but he looked on every estate, every road, every street and every home, every child as a soul in the eyes of God, Fr Cahill continued. Both preachers recalled Fr Dunican’s commitment to the Divine Office, which he prayed daily. Fr Farrelly recalled how, towards the end, his nieces helped him pray, singing the Divine Office with him and to him at Knightsbridge.
The visits to Knightsbridge and daily phone calls from his sister, Imelda, and brother, Seamus, were sources of great comfort and pleasure to him as they reminisced about their youth and schooldays, it was recalled at the Mass. Fr Dunican was particularly close to his nieces and nephews, and was very proud of their achievements and talents.
At the beginning of Mass, his breviary and his narration on the Johnstown Church windows, as well as his inscribed golden jubilee plaque were brought to the altar by sacristan, Bridie Sheils, and principal of St Stephen’s NS, Jenny McHugh. Family members took part in the ceremony, and Dr Eilis Ridge read a reflection, and paid tribute to Fr Dunican’s role as a pastor.
Fr Nicholas Dunican was son of the late Roseanne and Patrick Dunican of Kilbeggan, and was predeceased by his brothers, Paul, Tommy and Oliver, and his sister, Magdalene. He was ordained in 1959, and worked for a time in the Diocese of Ossory.
On returning to the Diocese of Meath in 1965, he took up an appointment as curate in Delvin, and went on to serve in Kingscourt and Kells, before his appointment to Johnstown and Walterstown in 1988. He was particularly proud of his beloved Kells Parish Choir who strove to reach the very high standards he demanded.
At his funeral, prayers were offered for the happiness which he experienced from music throughout his life. He thought of music as a direct line to God.
Fr Dunican is survived by his sister Imelda Campion, Dublin; brother Seamus, Tralee; brother-in-law, John; sister-in-law, Margaret; nieces, nephews, relatives and his large circle of friends and former parishioners, as well as the Bishop and clergy of the diocese.
His remains were in repose at St Joseph’s Chapel of Rest, Old Johnstown, Navan, on Saturday and Sunday, and were removed to the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady, Johnstown, on Sunday evening. After Monday’s concelebrated funeral Mass, Fr Dunican was laid to rest beside his predecessors in the church grounds.
______________________________________________________________
Lady Jennifer Fowler, Summerhill
A funeral service took place yesterday (Tuesday) in Rathmolyon for racehorse trainer Lady Jennifer Evelyn Fowler, wife of the late John Fowler of Rahinstown House, Summerhill, and sister-in-law of trainer Jessica Harrington.
Better known as ‘Chich’ she died unexpectedly on Tuesday of last week following an illness, having watched one of her horses run at Naas the previous Sunday.
Deceased was from a family steeped in racing and the wider world of equestrianism. While her late husband was training, she was instrumental in the long term development and the day-to-day operations of Rahinston’s racing and breeding operations.
Her father, Dermot, Lord Templemore of Dunbrody House in Wexford, was a Senior Steward of the Turf Club and master of the Wexford Hounds and a very long serving chairman. He was a race-horse breeder in his own right, with his most notable success being the Aintree Topham winner, Dunbrody Miller. Lady Fowler developed her keen sense of horsemanship on the hunting field and with eventing where she represented Ireland at International Three Day Events in Europe.
As mother of Harry and Charlie, she became involved with the operations of the Meath and Irish Pony Club organisations’ respectively, as she followed her sons’ Pony Club careers. Her expert advice and ability to manage people led her to be Chef d’Equipe (1998) and key selector for several International Tetrathlon teams.
Since the passing of John Fowler in a tree-felling accident at Rahinstown in late 2008, his wife took over the National Hunt training licence and continued to focus on the legacy left by John and the 60 years of racing and bloodstock excellence that Rahinston is know for. She enjoyed success with Annie May, Good Egg and Banjaxed Girl, her recent Naas runner. The service took place yesterday (Tuesday) at the Church of St Michael and All Angels Church, Rathmolyon.
_______________________________________________________________
John Murphy, Killeen and Dublin
The regretted death occurred on 5th March last of Mr Johnny Murphy, Ballybough, Dublin, and late of Killeen, Dunshaughlin.
Mr Murphy was son of the late Michael and Bridget Murphy of Killeen, and passed away at the Mater Hospital, aged 93. Deceased worked in the building industry and travelled extensively in Australia, Canada, and England working, before returning to Dublin.
He is survived by his brother Willie, Killeen; sister-in-law, Peggy; cousins, relatives and friends.
The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Dunsany, to the adjoining cemetery. A month’s memory Mass takes place on Sunday 7th April, at 9.30am, in Dunsany Church.
_______________________________________________________________
Laurence Cahill, Navan
The regretted death of Mr Laurance (Larry) Cahill, Parnell Park, Navan, occurred on 12th February last at Beaufort House, aged 63. Deceased worked for 31 years for An Post, Navan and played football for Parkvilla. He was on the team that won the Metropolitan Cup in 1971.
Son of the late Tommy and Maggie Cahill, deceased is survived by his brothers, Sean, Benildus Villas, Navan, Michael, Silverlawns; sisters, Nancy Smith, Beechmount, Navan; Maureen Wogan, Clusker Park, Navan, and Irene Brady, Flowerhill Cresent, relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his brothers, James and Thomas.
The funeral took place from St Mary’s Church, Navan to St Mary’s Cemetery. The staff Navan An Post provided a guard of honour at the obsequies.
_______________________________________________________________
Maire Mhic Stiofáin, Navan
The regretted death of Mrs Maire Mhic Stiofáin, Silverlawn, Navan occurred on 21st February last. Deceased was wife of the late Seán Mac Stiofain, and died aged 84, at her daughter’s residence, Proudstown Road, Navan.
A native of Castletown Roche, Co Cork, she was a member of the Casey family and was predeceased by husband, Seán, in 2001, and daughter Catherine, in August 2012.
Mrs Mhic Stiofáin started an all-Irish Montessori school which operated at the Dan Shaw Centre, Commons Road, Navan, for 20 years in the 1970s and ‘80s.
She was a member of Conradh Na Gaeilge and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Deceased had a passionate love for painting, reading and current affairs.
Mrs Mhic Stiofáin is survived by her daughters, Moira and Sineád; sons-in-law PJ and Seamus; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.
The funeral took place from St Oliver’s Church, Navan, to St Mary’s Cemetery. A month’s memory Mass takes place in St Oliver’s Church, Navan, on Sunday next, 24th March, at 12 noon.