Death of Fr Michael Murchan

 

The death has occurred of the retired parish priest of Dunsany and Kilmessan, Fr Michael Murchan. He is best known for his establishment of the Rathkenny Revels variety group while he served in the parish of Rathkenny and Stackallen 50 years ago, a group which is still going strong.

Fr Murchan was a native of Moynalty, and was educated at Mullagh school, St Finian’s College and Maynooth where he was ordained in 1952.  He served as curate in Seattle, Washington (USA) from 1952 - 56, then in Tullamore (1956-60), Coole, (1960-61) Longwood (1961-64) and Rathkenny (1964) prior to his appointment as Parish Priest of Multyfarnham  in February 1981.  He moved to Dunsany as Parish Priest of Kilmessan and Dunsany in September 1996 and retired in August 2001.  In recent years he resided at Knightsbridge Retirement Home, Trim.

Fr Murchan's remains will repose at St Joseph's Chapel of Rest, Johnstown, Navan, from 7pm to 9pm on Saturday and from 3pm on Sunday, prior to removal at 6.30pm for reception of remains at the Church of the Assumption, Dunsany on Sunday evening at 7.30 pm. Funeral Mass on Monday at 12 noon will be followed by burial in Moynalty cemetery.