Death announced of Bishop Fiachra Ó Ceallaigh

The death has occurred (Sunday 30 July) of Most Rev. Fiachra Ó Ceallaigh, OFM, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin, after a long illness.  Bishop Ó Ceallaigh, a native of Co. Clare, served as Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Dublin from 1994 to his retirement in 2009.  Before his appointment in the Archdiocese, he served as provincial of the Franciscan Order in Ireland.  He was the first Franciscan to serve as a Bishop in Ireland for over 170 years.

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin paid tribute to Bishop Ó Ceallaigh, saying his years of dedicated service and unique charism had enriched the Diocese.  He said the late Bishop Ó Ceallaigh was an outstanding witness to the motto he took on his Episcopal appointment “Dia Ár Misneach” (God is our courage), particularly so as he struggled with illness for the last several years since his retirement.  Archbishop Martin said Bishop Ó Ceallaigh had helped deepen the relationship in the Diocese with religious.  He said he brought the insights of the religious to the Diocesan mission.  He also paid tribute to his tireless work promoting the Irish Language in the Diocese in his work with Coiste Tréadach.

Remains will be reposing at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Adam & Eve’s, Merchant’s Quay, Dublin on Wednesday afternoon from 4pm.  Reception of Remains with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin takes place in Merchants Quay at 7pm on Wednesday.  Requiem Mass (in Irish) will be on Thursday morning at 10.30am in St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral, Dublin, with Principal Celebrant Fr Liam O Cuiv.

At 7pm on Thursday, there will be prayers at the Franciscan Friary, Ennis, Co Clare followed by Requiem Mass at 11.30am on Friday morning in the Friary.  Burial afterwards in Lisseycasey, Co Clare.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.