Priest who chaired Dunshaughlin GFC and oversaw building of St Oliver’s Church in Navan

OBITUARY: Fr Eamonn O'Brien

Fr Eamonn O’Brien, who served as curate in Dunshaughlin and Navan, and who later became administrator in Navan before moving to Rochfortbridge as administrator and later parish priest, has died in his 98th year.

A native of Ballykilmurray, Tullamore, Co Offaly, he died peacefully on Monday 28th August at Newbrook Lodge Nursing Home, Mullingar.

Fr O’Brien was born on 9th September 1925 and educated at Ballykilmurray National School; Tullamore CBS; St Finian’s College, Mullingar; and St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained on 17th June 1951.

He was appointed reader in Carnaross before going to Los Angeles in December 1951 for a four-year work period close to Hollywood, at a time when clergy in the diocese of Meath were plentiful and many went to work abroad or in other dioceses. On his return to Ireland, he served as curate in Portarlington, Co Laois, from 1955 until 1957, Dunshaughlin from 1957 until 1969 and Navan from 1969 until June 1976. He was appointed administrator of Navan parish in June 1976 and remained until February 1981 when he was appointed administrator of Rochfortbridge, taking over as parish priest there in September 1985. Fr O’Brien retired in 2010 and resided in Newbrook Nursing Home, Mullingar, since 2011.

While in Dunshaughlin he was hugely involved in the local Gaelic football club and was a long-serving chairman. During this time, the club won two junior football championships, 1958 and 1967, and officially opened the Drumree Road playing grounds, while local clubman, the late Noel Curran brought home the Sam Maguire with Meath. Fr O’Brien is remembered as a shrewd chairman, whose advice was always valued, and all who dealt with him spoke highly of his commitment, leadership and impartiality. In 2001, he returned to Dunshaughlin to receive the club hall of fame award.

He had played hurling and football for his native club and county, and for St Finian’s College, as well as in the USA, and the GAA grounds in Rochfortbridge is named after him.

During his time as administrator in Navan, he oversaw the construction of St Oliver Plunkett's Church in Blackcastle. He was the first spiritual director of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association in East Meath. On his move to Westmeath, he was responsible for major upgrades of all the parish facilities in Rochfortbridge.

One of a family of 12 of the late Patrick and Kathleen O’Brien, he is survived by his sister, Sr Clare, Holy Faith Convent, Glasnevin; brothers, Joe, Ballykilmurray, and Peter, Cork; extended family, fellow clergy and many friends.

A funeral Mass took place in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rochfortbridge, followed by burial in Rochfortbridge Cemetery.