The late Fr Donal (Donie) O'Brien One of the best loved residents of Mullinavat has passed away. Fr Donie O'Brien's body was carried into the parish church for the last time. He was carried into the parish church for the last time he was carried shoulder high, like a victorious captain, a leader, a mentor. Fr Donie began his studies at St Kierans, Kilkenny in September 1948 and was ordained on June 6, 1954. He went to the diocese of Hexham in Newcastle, North-East England and stayed there for 45 years. He retired in 1999 and came home to live with his family. There was no such thing as retirement for Fr. Donie, he was always willing to help at the weekend, but nothing suited him better than to come back here to Mullinavat. You might even say "Mullinavat was heaven and Earth for Donie" said Fr Patrick (Paddy) Maginer at his funeral Mass. At the mass, Fr Donie's grand-nieces' and nephews brought up gifts to the altar symbolising his life. The gifts included his rosary beds, a commeration booklet, from his Golden Jubilee in 2004, a photograph of the O'Brien family and a programme of the 2006 intermediate hurling county final. Fr Donie played a key role in Mullinavat GAA club, sharing the responsibility of Vice-President, with Parish Priest Fr Liam Barron. He was sadly missed at the club's annual dinner dance, at the weekend. Mullinavat had one of its greatest years in 2006, winning the Intermediate county final and being restored back into the senior grade for 2007. He would come regularly to see his team training and would follow that team wherever they went. He was proud of that team because they were gentlemen and he would say they were gracious in victory and in defeat. He loved to see so many of them young men, women and club members, sharing with him at mass, holy communion. Fr Donie's other great love was to come and share the craic and chat at Seamus' (Murphy's Pub, Mullinavat) with so many of his friends from the village and further a field. He developed a pin in his back in Easter 2006, "but typical of Fr Donie it was only an oul pain," said Fr Maginer. Sadly this pain continued and in August he was diagnosed with cancer of the bone. He endured chemotherapy, radium and many tablets, but always through his life and illness, he was a laid back, gentle person. He was blessed with a great sense of humour. The funeral Mass was attended by two bishops and 35 priests. "In 1954, he was one of nine priests to be ordained and went to Hexham that year. He was very loyal person, loyal to Mullinavat, to St Kerians and Mullinavat" said Bishop Laurence Forristal. A mass to celebrate Fr Donie's life was said in English Martyr's Church, Newcastle, for those who couldn't travel. Fr. Donie spent 45 years in England with 17 of them as parish priest of English Martyr's. The O'Brien Family thanked, Fr Donie's, GP Dr Denie Kennedy, the doctors, nurses and staff at Waterford Regional Hospital, the nurses in Medical 4, everyone who called to see him in hospital. to his great friend, Fr Paddy Maginer for his beautiful homily, Bishop Forristal, Bishop Russell and Bishop Lee. To the many priest's from the diocese of Ossory and Waterford and Lismore and those form further a field, particular those from the diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, the choir for their lovely singing, and to everyone who came and called to the different members of the family. To the people of Mullinavat and Mullinavat GAA Club for their guard of honour. Fr Donie is survived by his brother Martin; sisters Maureen, Carmel and Ethna, brothers in law, sister in law, nieces and nephews. A day and the life of Fr Donie: Born: July 31st, 1930 Ordained: 6th June, 1954 1954: St Jospeh's North Shields 1965: English Martyr's, Newcastle 1973: Our Lady of Lourdes, Chopwell 1974: St Jospeh's Gateshead 1990: English Marytr's Newcastle 1999: Returned 2004: Golden Jubilee Died: 6th February 2007, after 52 years in the priest hood. Courtesy of the Kilkenny People 16th February 2007 Tweet

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