Glowing tributes paid to renowned priest
The late Monsignor Dermot Moloney passed away on Tuesday last.
Heartfelt tributes have been paid in both Mayo and Galway following the death of a beloved priest and sportsman.
Monsignor Dermot Moloney, Bishop Street, Tuam, Co Galway and formerly of Crossboyne Parish and St Jarlath’s College, Tuam, passed away peacefully on Tuesday last at the Galway Clinic. His loss is felt in South Mayo as he was in the parish of Crossboyne for nearly two decades.
Mgr Moloney was a passionate Galway GAA supporter and was a regular face at Mayo v Galway matches. He travelled all over the country to watch the Tribesmen.
Mgr Moloney was a teacher at St Jarlath’s College, where he is fondly remembered, for over 32 years, and he served as president of the school from 1986 to 1994, helping them win a Hogan Cup title in 1974. The school paid a warm tribute to Mgr Moloney.
“When we think of Mgr Moloney we remember his passion for swimming in his youth. In 1954, he won the Irish Boys 100m Freestyle title and subsequently in 1957 he became the first Connacht man to win a national swimming title when he won the Men’s 1500 Freestyle Championship. In 1976, he became President of the Irish Amateur Swimming Association.
“His second passion was GAA. He coached the 1974 St Jarlath’s College Hogan Cup winning team and he would travel the length and breadth of the country to watch the Galway team in action.
“From student to Maths teacher to senior football coach to president, Mgr Moloney dedicated much of his life to the hallowed halls of St Jarlath’ College. He was also an ardent supporter of the opera. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”
Archbishop of Tuam, Francis Duffy, said Mgr Moloney’s contribution to the archdiocese was ‘immense’.
“He had great wisdom and I found him very helpful when I came here and he helped me settle in and get to know the archdiocese in the West of Ireland,” he said.
“He did very good work in St Jarlath’s and then he was a parish priest for 19 years after and in the latter years, he was vicar general to Archbishop Michael Neary, so he had a wide amount of experience. Personally, I will miss him. He was a very kind and warm man, who lived life to the fullest.”
Mgr Moloney was also known to many for his work with Tuam Swimming Club as he was one of the founding members of the club in 1950. He also taught many children, in Tuam and its surrounding areas, how to swim.
Mgr Moloney was also a talented golfer and an honorary member of Claremorris Golf Club. The club also expressed its condolences.
Predeceased by his parents James and Catherine, sister Angela (Tuam), brother Gabriel (Dublin) and sister-in-law Irene, Mgr Moloney is deeply regretted by his brother Fr Joseph, nephews Alan and John, cousins, the extended Moloney and Farragher families, Archbishop Francis Duffy, retired Archbishop Michael Neary and the priests of the Archdiocese of Tuam.
His remains reposed in the oratory of St Jarlath’s College on Thursday, a place he held so dear. Funeral Mass was held at the Cathedral of the Assumption, Tuam, and he was laid to rest in Tuam Cemetery. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
