The Late Fr. Michael Carrick

Boherbee lost another one of it's native sons on Sunday November 29th, with the passing of Fr. Michael Carrick who was in his 99th year and close to celebrating seventy five years in the priesthood.
Micheal was born to Ellen and John Carrick at 10, Boherbee on May 2nd 1911. He came from a family of five boys, Tom, Henry, Willie, Jackie and one girl Annie. In his youth he attended Presentation Convent and Christian Brothers Schools, Tralee. Only this summer, he was delighted to attend the celebrations of the presentation Convent in Tralee.
As there was no centre of philosophical and theological studies for MCC students in Ireland, Fr. Michael had to travel to Belgium where he entered the novitiate of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in September 1929. He made his first profession on September 21st 1930, and then began his philosophical studies.
In 1931 he moved to Stein in the Netherlands where he made perpetual profession on September 21st 1933. On August 10th, 1935, he was ordained in Stein. When he completed his theological studies he returned to Ireland and took up his first teaching post in the newly opened MSC House of Studies in Moyne Park, Co. Galway, where he lectured in scripture.
For thirty years he taught Mathematics and Greek in Cork. In 1959 he was appointed to the Western Road Community where he taught until 1965 from that time onward he remained active in Parish ministry in Ireland, England and the U.SA. He was fluent in Irish, French, German, Dutch, Spanish and over the past number of months was learning Portuguese. As a Classical scholar, especially of ancient Greece, he agreed with the playwright Aeschylus, "It is always the season for the old to learn".
He had the most wonderful singing voice, so much so that, even up to last Easter he sang the Exulted at the Vigil Liturgy at Western Road, Cork. 'O Holy Night' was the Christmas carol he sang every year at Christmas time in Boherbee. His violin playing was a regular part of concerts and gatherings and he was often heard to play on his own pleasure in his room in Cork.
He was interested in all sports, especially GAA, and when his native John Mitchels or Kerry were playing he would have all the details on hand to discuss.
His neighbours in Boherbee were John Joe Sheehy, Bill Kinnerk and Joe Keohane, all of whom played for club and county with distinction. He could recall the great Dick Fitzgerald and remembers as a child seeing him play. In fact, he lived to see Kerry win thirty-three of its thirty six All Ireland titles- no mean achievement.
He loved when Cork and Kerry met on the field of play but would never pass comment as he knew better than to upset the applecart. Horseracing captured his attention as well although he never placed a bet.
A ma of great faith, Michael was a jolly and warm individual who loved to chat at night recounting stories of his youth in Tralee and his native Boherbee. He had great memories of the British soldiers marching through Tralee during World War 1 and of the Black and Tans during the Troubles that preceded independence.
He loved coming home to Boherbee to be with his family and friends where he would converse for hours with both young and old an everyday topics, but equally loved going back to the Western Road in Cork to his other family.
And so with his passing on November 29th, his family felt it would only be right to bring him over the County Bounds for one last time, back to the church where he was baptizied and received his First Holy Communion and back up the Yellow Road to be with his parents. John and Ellen and sister Annie.
His family will remain forever grateful to the MSC Order for acceding to their respect and for looking after Michael so well for so long. He is survived by his five nephews and six nieces John Horgan (USA), Michael and Donal Carrick (Tralee), Paul and Johnny Carrick (London), Eleanor, Norma, Margaret Carrick ( Tralee), Anna, Angela and Caroline Carrick (London).
"And even though he is gone, he will forever play a part in the smiles, the priceless moments that are treasured in our heart."

Courtesy of the Kerry Eye
December 10th 2009 Tweet

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