Nolan, Fr Martin
February 12, 2013
Fr. Martin Nolan was a big sports fan
The death has occurred of proud Glenbrien man Father Martin Nolan from Ballinastraw at the age of 78. He passed away while in the care of the Craigavon Area Hospital in County Armagh with family members at his bedside.
The missionary priest was born in May 1934, one of a family of seven children raised by the late Myles and Ellen (nee Darcy) Nolan on a farm in Glenbrien. His early education was undertaken at the parish primary school and then with the Christian Brothers in Enniscorthy, where he completed his Leaving Certificate before heading to the Society of African Missionaries novitiate at Kilcolgan in County Galway, the first step on his way to ordination in 1961.
Throughout his studies he maintained an active interest in hurling, though never at the level reached by his All-Ireland winning brothers. He was known to line out with the Oylegate club in junior matches while at home on holidays. He was also interested in other sports, retaining many facts about football, soccer and golf, to mention only three.
Martin was assigned to the missions in Nigeria and spent 22 years in Africa, working initially in education and then later in the parish of Jos. He would have remained there much longer but health considerations dictated that he must return to Ireland. He spent a couple of years seconded to the Castlehaven parish in Cork before being recalled to the order's headquarters at Dromantine, County Down in 1987 where he applied himself to various jobs with his customary zeal and energy.
Predeceased by his brother John, Martin is deservedly missed by his brothers Pat and Jimmy, sisters Annie (Lindon), Mary and Eileen (Fortune) as well as his nephews, nieces and family circle and friends as well as his confreres in the Society of African Missions.
Courtesy of The Wexford People.
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