The death occurred of James (Jim) Kierans of Friars Lodge Nursing Home, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo on Friday, February 22, formerly of Drumgossatt, Magheracloone, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.

The deceased, who was in his 83rd year, received his early,education Drumgossatt NS, after which he attended the Patrician Secondary School in Carrickmacross. A noted scholar, he attended St McGartan's College in Monaghan in the 1940s before attending St Patricks College, Maynooth, where he gained a first class honours degree in Classics (Greek & Latin). He moved to Ballinrobe, Co Mayo in the early 1950s to take up a teaching position in Ballinrobe CBS, He had previously taught in Belvedere Collage, Dublin. He immersed himself in the life of Ballinobe GAA Club and community when he moved to the town in the early 1950s. He served at various levels within the club, including as chairman and in the later years as president. He was a mentor to many generations of members of the club and played a particular role in assisting players further themselves in education, employment and Gaelic football.

He was a former Mayo minor football selector and also a member of the backroom team when Mayo won the All Ireland title in 1978. He was also an accomplished
actor with St Mary's Dramatic Society, Ballinrobe during 1950s and 1960s. A renowned historian, he published abook, "A Chronicle of Ballinrobe" some years ago, which was a curated collection of news articles from the old Ballinrobe Chronicle newspaper. He also re-published extracts from the census of 1901 pertaining to Ballinrobe and the half-parish of Partry.

His opinion was regularly sought by historians, authors, researchers and students and right up until his recent illness, his mind remained as sharp as ever. He was close to many families in the Ballinrobe area and indeed it was through one relationship with the Stauton family in Toreen, Partry, that he developed a deep friendship with Steve Staunton (one of Ireland's most decorated soccer players). This bond was formed when Steve was a regular visitor to the home place of his father, Tom, in Partlry durning his childhood. Steve travelled from the UK for his funeral in Magheracloone on Tuesday, February 26. The Ballinrobe GAA club gave Jim a fitting send off with mass on Sunday, February 24, in St Mary's Church, Ballinrobe, in memory of a man who made a very rich contribution to the lives of their club members and to the educational, sporting, cultural and social aspects of Ballinrobe community.

There was a large and representative attendance at his removal to St Peter and Paul's Church, Lower Magheracloone on Monday, February 25, and at the concelebrated requiem mass on Tuesday, February 26, with burial in the adjoining cemetery. The celebrants were Rev Fr Tom Finnegan PP, Magheracloone; Rev Fr Philip Crowe CC, Magheracloone, Bishop Joseph Duffy, Mons Vincent Connolly, Canon Philip Connolly, Rev Fr Aidan O'Reilly, Rev Fr Patrick Staunton. Rev Fr GerryMcCormack.

Deeply regretted by his brothers, Tony, Pascal and Dessie. His sisters, Bridgie and Teresa, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and many friends.


Courtesy of The Anglo Celt Tweet

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