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An Appreciation
Fr. Peter Dunne. P.P.
It was with deep sadness that the people of Tinryland
learned of the death of their beloved parish priest Fr.
Peter on Monday morning the 16th September 2002. Fr.
Peter had been quite ill for some time and had retired
from his position as Parish Priest of Tinryland in
August 2002. However he had planned to continue to live
among his parishioners and was about to move into his
new home on the Moate hill. Alas it was not to be.
Fr. Peter's parishioners from every comer of the parish
will remember him fondly. He was a quiet man in some
ways but he always had a word, a smile or a touch for
everyone. Over the years he often spoke critically of
himself but in doing so he showed how human he was and
this enabled him to empathise and relate with young and
old alike. He was a very kind, thoughtful and
understanding person who seemed to understand so well
the problems that people were going through.
In his earlier years as Parish Priest, before he became
ill, he was very actively involved in all aspects of the
community and gave great support to every club and
society in the parish.
He was to be found at GAA matches, or down the Cross
County course supporting local participants or dancing
at the Senior Citizens Christmas Party. More typically
if you were looking for him he was to be found out on
the land surrounding the parochial house tending to his
sheep and lambs from which he got great enjoyment. One
of the annual events that he will be remembered
particularly for is the Good Friday Stations of the
Cross ceremony, which he held along the Priest's House
Avenue.
This was always well attended and in his own inimitable
style he made the occasion relevant to all. For anyone
who attended Lourdes with him they will also recall the
lovely manner in which he performed the Stations of the
Cross ceremony there. Other good memories are of him
step dancing at local parties and socials, walking daily
to the shop for his paper and fags where on the way to
and fro he would stop for a chat, and his enjoyment of a
cup of coffee.
Fr. Peter was born in May 1934, son of John Dunne and
Margaret (Carroll) Dunne of Boley, Abbeyleix in the
Shanahoe area of Raheen Parish, Co. Laois. Following his
secondary education at Ballyfin College, he entered the
seminary at Maynooth College and was ordained in June
1960. He served as curate in Clonegal Parish from
1960-1975, as curate in Portarlington Parish from
19751981 and as curate in Killeigh Parish from 1981-1984
before being appointed Administrator of Tullow Parish
where he served from 1984 to 1989. He was appointed
Parish Priest of Tinryland in 1989 following Fr. Denis
Doyle's move as Chaplain to Naas Hospital.
The impact he made in all of the places he served was
borne out by the large crowds that attended his funeral
both at the reception of his remains and at the Requiem
concelebrated Mass, which was presided over by the new
bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Bishop Jim Moriarty.
Rev. Tommy O'Shea, PP Arles and Rev Francis McNamara, PP
Mountmellick who were Fr. Dunne's classmates in Maynooth
and also ordained in 1960 gave the homilies on Tuesday
and Wednesday. Over 70 priests concelebrated the Requiem
Mass with Bishop Moriarty including our new Parish
Priest Fr. John McEvoy. On behalf of the parishioners
Pat Hayden welcomed the Bishop, the many priests
especially former Parish Priest of Tinryland Fr. Denis
Doyle and local man Fr. P.J. Byrne who is now parish
priest of Kilcock.
After Communion, Nurse Geraldine
O'Connor from the Holy Angels read the following
beautiful tribute to Fr. Dunne who was chaplain to the
Holy Angels for twelve years. As Holy Angels chaplain for many,
many years You helped us through our losses
and comforted our fears. Mass was extra special for you'd
add your human touch With that magic twinkle in your
eye we'd come to love so much. To share a pot of tea with you
was such a simple pleasure Your brilliant sense of humour
was a trait we'd come to treasure The warmth and compassion you
exuded was so rare It gave a piece of heaven to the
children in our care. Though sad we are to lose you,
much from you we did gain Our fondest memories of you, will
never ever wane. After Nurse O'Connor, John Browne
of Ballinacarrig read the following poem, which he wrote
as a tribute to the life and work of a priest. So many years have passed since
ordination, So many souls encouraged on their
way, So many joys and sorrows shared
with people,
A lifetime's work of giving
- night and day. "I baptise thee", so often said
to babies, "Do you take X?" to couples who
were wed, "Go sin no more" to those who
showed repentance, "May Angels lead thee" to
departing dead. For them, no early age to reach
retirement, "Retirement" does not mean they
get a rest. It simply means they do their
former duty, As heretofore, though lacking
former zest. And think of all the times they
helped in sadness, At times of crisis how their
words held sway, At times of tiredness, how they
rallied quickly,
No Peter Gilligans
- they led the way.
In changing times they carried out their duty
; Were criticised, perhaps by those
who "know", With certitude how God is really
thinking, Yet priests must listen to both
friend and foe. So God will surely honour their
devotion, And show appreciation for work
done, By telling them, in words of
kindest feeling, "You served me well, step in, my
faithful son". The local choir backed up by
organist Mary Hennessy-O'Neill and soloist Josie Kelly
provided the beautiful music. Members of Tinryland GFC
carried Fr. Dunne's coffin from the church to the grave
located in the adjoining cemetery. The schoolchildren
from Tinryland NS provided a guard of honour at the
entrance to the church on both days. Fr. John McEvoy PP
thanked the many Tinryland people who helped out at the
ceremonies. There was a special word of thanks to Fr.
Dunne's carers in particular his devoted housekeeper
Bridie Townsend and Sr. Clare Walshe. Prior to Fr. Peter's death a
collection had been started in the parish to present him
with a gift on the occasion of his retirement. Sadly he
died before this could take place. It has since been
decided to put any money already collected towards a new
set of vestments for Tinryland church in Fr. Dunne's
honour and to donate the remainder to the Holy Angels of
which he was chaplain. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis
Source:
http://www.tinryland.ie/
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