A COMMUNITY IN MOURNING

The Cardinal, aged 92, was born a short distance away from St Patrick’s Chapel in Loughgiel on October 1, 1917, and lived in the village for several years before going on to become the leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

He never forgot his links with the area and journeyed home every year to say Mass in the village.

Loughgiel parishioners have always been proud to say he came from their area and locals followed his progress through the ranks of the church which saw him become Archbishop of Armagh and All-Ireland Primate in 1990 and culminated in his being made Cardinal in 1991.

That event which was marked with an open-top bus trip through the village and Mass. He retired, aged 79, and returned to studying philosophy.

Following his death in the City Hospital in Belfast on New Year’s Eve, condolences came in from churchmen across the religious spectrum in Ireland and The Pope also paid tribute to the Cardinal who was hailed for his contribution to the peace process.

Prayers for the Cardinal were said at Masses over the weekend in Loughgiel.

Loughgiel Parish Priest Fr Robert Butler, Magherahoney Parish Priest Fr George O’Hanlon and Cushendall Parish Priest Fr Brian Daly - a nephew of the Cardinal - were among those due to have attended today’s funeral at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh where burial was taking place afterwards.

Gerard McCloskey, Chairperson, of Loughgiel Community Association, was also attending the Funeral, and he said it is likely some sort of Memorial to the Cardinal will be looked at for the village.

Gerard said: “The Cardinal was very much a Loughgiel man and it was a thing he never forgot. He came back every year at Christmas Time to say Midnight Mass for a long time before he was made Bishop and even when he was Bishop and then Cardinal he always returned to Loughgiel in January each year to say a Mass to mark the anniversaries of the passing of his father Charles - who was a schoolteacher in Magherahoney - mother Susan and sister Margaret Mary Carey who are buried in Loughgiel.

“His mother was always very religious and it is believed that had a big bearing on him becoming a Priest.

“When he was a student at St Malachy’s he came down to teach religion at Magherahoney School.

“When he was still a Bishop in the South in 1983 he attended the All-Ireland Hurling Club Final at Casement Park in Belfast which Loughgiel Shamrocks won that year after the first match in Croke Park was drawn.

“The Cardinal did not attend the first match so maybe his presence at the replay swung it for Loughgiel!” said Gerard.

A plaque was erected several years ago at the Cardinal’s birthplace in Loughgiel but a more substantial memorial could be considered.

Said Gerard: “It is early days yet but the Loughgiel Community Association in conjunction with the Parish, will maybe look at some sort of permanent Memorial in due course.”

There was a number of people from Loughgiel present at St Peter’s Cathedral in Belfast where the Cardinal’s body laid in state in the days following his passing.

And local people were also in Armagh in recent days when his body was moved there.

SDLP councillor for the Loughgiel area, Alderman Harry Connolly, attended St Peter’s at the weekend and he said the presence of many local people summed up the feeling of sorrow in the Loughgiel community.

“I was one of the people lucky enough to attend the ceremony when he made Cardinal by having my name drawn out of a hat.

“He always came down on the last Sunday of January to say Mass in memory of his deceased family members. Continued on page 13

The Cardinal will be sadly missed.”

Angela O’Hagan of Loughgiel Community Association said: “The Cardinal had a long life and was very attached to Loughgiel and the community is in mourning.”

Ita McGarry of the Pound Bar in Loughgiel, said: “He was very friendly and there was also real pride that he was from here.”

She told the Times how the Cardinal called in with them just over three years ago and visited his old homestead and recalled how he used to study and look out from his home overlooking Loughgiel Chapel.

She said she did not know if that view made him consider the Priesthood.

Recalling the visit in 2006 she said the Cardinal was still sprightly despite being 89 and was able to walk uphill through several fields to visit an old Mass Rock.

Ita’s sister Carmel McGarry bought the old Daly household from Loughgiel Community Association and Brendan McGarry is currently living in the house while work is being carried out to a nearby residence.