Marist father and Louth GAA historian Rev John Mulligan passes away

Fr John Mulligan SM RIP

The death occurred yesterday evening, Saturday October 17th, of Rev John Mulligan SM, Marist Father and Club President of Dundalk Young Irelands GFC.

A local man, Fr Mulligan dedicated a lifetime to the Young Irelands and was elected Club President in 1978. He was extremely well known within GAA circles in Louth and as a geography teacher in St Mary’s College. Indeed, he was the school’s last teaching priest prior to his retirement in 2000.

Fr John will mostly be remembered for the part played by the Marist Fathers in providing playing facilities to Dundalk Young Irelands after the sale of the famous Athletic Grounds in 1959, up to the club’s move to Upper Marches in 1989.

First granted by the then superior, Fr Eugene Quigley SM, the Marist Grounds link to Young Irelands continued for 30 years due in no small way to the part played by Fr Mulligan.

He ensured his place in Louth GAA folklore after publishing a book of the Wee County’s GAA history in two volumes, the first to mark the centenary of the GAA in 1984, followed by an update to mark the Millennium in 200.

This remains the only complete record of how the Association was born and nurtured in the Wee County and was a credit to the author.

Fr Mulligan later followed his Louth books by publishing a third book ‘Dundalk Young Irelands GFC – an historical record of the Green and Blacks’, a self professed “labour of love” that Fr Mulligan worked on for many years and was published during the club’s 120th year anniversary celebrations in 2004.

In recent years he had battled Parkinson’s Disease but was on hand to see his beloved Young Irelands win the Louth Junior Championship in 2007 and the Intermediate title two years later.

Fr John, who passed away peacefully in Moorehall Lodge Nursing Home in Ardee, is survived by his sister Sheila Gaffney in Blackrock, as well as nieces, nephews, relatives, Marist Confreres and friends.

He will be reposing in Moorehall Lodge form 4pm until 8pm on Monday and from 2pm on Tuesday. Removal will take place Tuesday evening at 4.30pm to St Mary’s Church, Dundalk, arriving at 5.30pm for evening prayer.

Concelebrated Funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday at 11am, followed by burial afterwards to St Patrick’s Cemetery.

Dundalk Young Irelands to host anniversary event for Fr John Mulligan

Dundalk Young Irelands GFC will hold a 50^th anniversary event for their honorary president Fr John Mulligan in Ardee on Sunday March 16^th at 3pm.

Fr Mulligan, who published a book on the history of the club called ‘Dundalk Young Irelands – An Historical Record of the Green & Blacks’ a decade ago, has given a lifetime dedication to the club.

The last Marist Father to have taught at St Mary’s College, Fr Mulligan also wrote books on the history of the GAA in Louth in 1984 and 2000.

Commenting on the matter on their Facebook page, the Young Irelands said: “He is a big part of why we are still up and going. We think as many members and friends that are available should attend. Remember he is part of the reason we are celebrating 130 years this year.

“So let’s help him celebrate together as a team.”

Further details can be obtained from any committee member.