Rathangan says farewell to much loved Fr Gerard O'Byrne

The Rathangan Day Care Centre, the sheltered housing units, the parish welfare committee and his work with the local schools were just some of the projects Fr Gerard O'Byrne will be remembered for during his 34 years serving in Rathangan.

Bishop Denis Nulty told the congregation at his funeral mass at 2pm today, June 6 that he had a gentle pastoral style that accompanied many in their moments of joy and sorrow.

Since his passing on June 3, the bishop noted how everyone has their story about Fr Ger. He said he had read some of the many messages on rip.ie and on Facebook Live detailing how compassionate Fr Ger was to families coping with grief.

His brother Fr Willie, who is parish priest in Kill, told those present at the Church of the Assumption and St Patrick in Rathangan that his brother told him there was no place he'd rather be than in Rathangan.

“To the people of Rathangan, all I can say is you are a great great community. Ger absolutely loved being here in Rathangan. He loved every moment of it,” he said.

“He was 34 years in this parish, which is a long time. Usually bishops move fellas, but I think Ger was imoveable anyways, there was no point.”

A large crowd of family, friends and priests from all over the diocese and further afield were in attendance.

Bishop Nulty said Fr Ger was making history today as the first parish priest of Rathangan to be buried in Rathangan.

Hailing from Ballykeally, Ballon, Co Carlow, Fr Ger was ordained in Rome on March 9 1963.

Having spent ten years serving in Portarlington, he worked in Borris from 1973 to 1984, before moving to Killeigh from 1984 to 1989, and then on to Rathangan in 1989.

Bishop Nulty spoke of how Fr Bill Kemmy took over as parish priest in 2019, while Fr Ger took on a gentler role as curate as his health began to deteriorate. He said he knew he made the right appointment and Fr Bill became a very good friend to Fr Ger.

Bishop Nulty detailed how there were 13 sets of brothers ministering in Kildare and Leighlin over past years at various times and that was the last pair. Fr Wille continues to serve in Kill.

“The home in Ballykeally in Ballon was without a doubt a home where vocations flourished.” he said.

Fr Ger passed away in Craddock House Nursing home at 25 minutes past five last Saturday after a nine/ten day vigil. Accompanied by friends and family Bishop Nulty said stories were told, memories relived, blessings recounted as they gathered by his bedside day and night.

“Fr Ger's willingness to pilot new programmes, new ways of engaging with people on matters of faith, Ger was very aware the missionary impulse is not restricted to priestly ministry. He ensured others lived fully to their baptismal calling,” he explained.

“Sadly the first thing that impeded Ger's life were, I think, his feet, his walking, and that was so unfortunate for a man who loved his walks.”

He said he will be hugely missed.

On behalf of his family, Fr Willie thanked all of Fr Ger's close friends who were so good to him throughout the years. He singled out Bishop Nulty and Fr Bill who showed huge kindness and friendship. He praised the staff at Craddock House Nursing Home for their outstanding care and compassion.

He said his brother was a great friend to him, their brother John and all the family and even though he was a quiet man, he had that charisma that carried him through.

There were guards of honour from the schools outside the church and Rathangan GAA members lined the street as the procession made its way up to the Day Care Centre and to St Patrick's Cemetery where he was laid to rest.

A gathering was held in the community centre afterwards to celebrate the life of Fr Ger.