06 Dec 2009, Posted in Local News, 1 Comments

Death of Canon Noel Mullin saddens village

Canon Noel Mullin, Parish Priest for Claregalway, passed away on Friday 4th of December 2009. Canon Mullin died after a short illness, in the loving care of his brother Frank, and sister-in-law Kathleen, in Knocknacarra, Galway.

Following a Requiem Mass on Monday 7th of December 2009 at 12 noon, Father Mullin was buried in the family grave in Shrule Cemetery.

Noel Mullin (born in Shrule, Co. Mayo 2^nd January 1938) was the very much loved and respected Parish Priest of Claregalway for more than 13 years. Noel studied in Maynooth and was ordained on 23^rd June, 1963. He subsequently served as CC in Rossaveal, CC in Gort, Dean of St. Mary’s College, Chaplain to Merlin Park Hospital, Chaplain to Holy Family School, Chaplain to GMIT (then Galway RTC), CC to Galway Cathedral, Diocesan Secretary and finally PP in Claregalway, where he became a Canon in 1997.

Noel was immensely popular both as an individual and in his pastoral role. This was reflected quite dramatically in the numbers who attended both his repose and funeral. He was manager of the two parish National Schools, Claregalway and Carnmore and was a great hit with all the children. He was a favourite uncle of all his brothers’ children and, in recent times, was building a large collection of grand nephews and grand nieces!

Noel had a tremendous sense of humour which served him well during his various roles and, indeed, even during his final struggle against cancer. I shall never forget how he coped with the inexorable consequences of his office being situated next door to a male student toilet in GMIT. As he told us in his farewell (from GMIT) address, he had frequent ‘close shaves’ with students bursting into his office ‘at the ready’!

He was a keen Gaelic Footballer in his younger days and frequently represented Maynooth during his years there.

Noel was one of the finest men I have ever had the privilege to have known. Noel Mullin will be very sorely missed by us all.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Brian D. Place