The late Michael G. Dooley The death took place peacefully at his home on Sunday, July 9th, 2006 of Michael G Dooley, retired Principal of Kinnitty National School. Michael a native of Neilstown, Roscrea, received his primary education at Killavilla NS. He received his secondary education at St Flannan's College, Ennis before going to St Patrick's Training College Drumcondra to train as a National Teacher. His first post was as Principal in Roscomroe NS in 1957 and in 1965 he transferred as Principal to Kinnitty NS where he remained until his retirement in 2002. He hurled with Killavilla for several years. He was an outstanding corner forward and was a member of the team which won the Junior County Championship for the first time in 1965 as a 19 year old. He was present last January at a 50th Anniversary function in the Racket Hall which honoured this 1965 team. Michael also won a Dublin Intermediate Championship medal Erin's Hope while a student in St Patrick's College. He was involved with Muintir na Tire in Roscrea and was a member of the team that own the Inter Guild National Question time in Rural Week in 1964 in Gormanstown. He was involved with drama groups in Killavilla, Roscomroe and Kinnitty. He was a member of the Sleive Bloom Association from its inception and was its first Treasurer and subsequently its Secretary for many years. Michael was a member of the Birr/Banagher INTO and was a delegate to the National Congress for many years. He was a member of the Primary Schools Board of Management of the Killaloe Diocese for a long number of years and was one of the representatives at National Level. He also an officer of Offaly Primary School Principals. He was a member of the Cumann na mBunscol Uibh Fhaili and served as an officer for many years and was involved with many successful juvenile hurling and camogie teams. He was Vice-President of Kinnitty GAA Club at the time of his death. Just last Autumn he had written a book 'A Tribute to Johnny Flaherty Offaly Legend'. Michael was a member of Birr Golf Club and Kinnitty Golfing Society. He was a member of Kinnitty Parish Council for some time. He served as Chairman of Clareen/Kinnitty Community Alert and was a member of Kinnitty Tidy Towns. He had a a great love of knowledge of wild life and nature and took his 6th class each year to the Burren. Michael was a fluent Irish speaker and spent his summer holidays with is family in Carraroe in the heart of the Gaeltacht, where he conversed daily 'as Gaeilge' with is many friends. He was a frequent visitor to the West Cork Gaeltacht of Ballingeary and Gougan Barra. Michael had a great love for Orienteering and was a long time of Curragh-Naas Cnoc Orienteering Club and he competed in events all over Ireland, England and Wales. He was also involved in map making. Michael married to Chrissie (nee Hough) and was father of Finan and Maureen and brother of Paddy and the late James, Mary (Dullin), Margaret McNamara (Scariff), Ann Stoclet (Toronto), Pierce (Arklow) and Bernadette Sweeney (New Ross) and to his family, his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, past pupils, neighbours, a wide circle of friends our deepest sympathy is extended. Removal took place from his residence on Monday, 10th July, 2006 to St Flannan's Church, Kinnitty. Most Rev Bishop William Walsh, Bishop of Killaloe, officiated at the Church and was assisted by Very Rev Michael O'Meara, PP, Kinnitty, Very Rev Tony Cahir, PP, Birr, Fr Ambrose, Nigeria, Very Rev John Slattery, PP Puckane, Fr Martin Delaney, CC, St Canice's, Kilkenny, Fr Michael Walsh, Zambia, Very Rev Frank Bergin, AP, Shinrone, Very Rev O. O'Doherty, AP, Dunkerrin. A Guard of Honour was provided by Kinnitty and Killavilla GAA Clubs, Kinnitty NS children in their uniforms and the Slieve Bloom Association which extended from his home to the Church. Rev Fr Tom Dooley, SM, Dublin (cousin) was Principal Celebrant of the Requiem Mass assisted by Rev Fr Michael O'Meara, PP, Kinnitty, Fr John Lalor, PP, Camross, Fr Joe Kennedy, PP, Lorrha, Fr Tom Hannon, PP, Cloughjordan, Fr B Kyne, Castleconnell, Fr M O'Brien, PP, Tulla, Fr SExton, PP, Scariff, Fr F Bergin, AP. Shinrone, Fr G Donnelly, AP Lorrha, Fr A McMahon, CC, Nenagh, Fr P Deely CC, Toomevara, Fr Michael Walsh, Zambia, Fr Andreas Hock, Denver, Colorado. Kinnitty Choir provided the music and hymns for the Mass. Kinnitty and Killavilla GAA once again provided a Guard of Honour as Michael left the Church on his way for burial in Lorrha Cemetery. Prayers at the graveside were read by Fr Tom Dooley, Fr Michael O'Meara, Fr Joe Kennedy, Fr Patrick Deely and Fr Harry Bugler, New Orleans and Redwood. The large attendance at his funeral on both days was a fitting testimony to the esteem in which he was held. Ar Dheis De Go Raibh a Anam Dilis. Courtesy of The Midland Tribune 02/08/2006 Tweet

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