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James Grealy was born in Dunnamaggin, County Kilkenny, on 6 October 1927. He was received into the Capuchin Order in October 1927 at St. Bonaventure’s in Cork. He took Hubert as his religious name upon joining the Order. He was ordained to the priesthood on 23 June 1935. He served as Director of Students at St. Bonaventure’s in Cork for twenty-one years (1944-67). Prior to this assignment, Fr. Hubert served as Vice-Master of Novices. In 1970 he was appointed Master of Novices, a position he would hold for five years (to September 1975). Throughout his life, he maintained a keen interest in Mariology and published several works on the subject. Later, his special interest in the Knock apparition led him to write several pamphlets, including ‘Towards an understanding of the Apparition at Knock’ (1959) and ‘The Meaning of St. Joseph’s Presence at the Apparition at Knock’ (1960). In 1975 the Franciscan Herald Press published his work on the souls in purgatory titled ‘The Mystery of Purgatory’. He was also involved in giving retreats (particularly to religious sisters). He spent the final years of his life in the Capuchin Friary in Raheny in Dublin. He died in a nursing home in Dalkey, County Dublin, and was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.

Baptismal name: James Harold Grealy
Religious name: Fr. Hubert Grealy OFM Cap.
Date of birth: 6 Oct. 1907
Place of birth: Caherlesk, Dunnamaggin, County Kilkenny (Diocese of Ossory)
Name of father: Michael Grealy
Name of mother: Catherine Grealy (née Timon)
Date of reception into the Capuchin Order: 3 Oct. 1927 (Kilkenny Friary)
Date of first profession: 4 Oct. 1928
Date of final profession: 4 Oct. 1931 (St. Bonaventure’s Friary, Cork)
Date of ordination (as priest): 23 June 1935 (St. Eunan’s Cathedral, Letterkenny, County Donegal)
Leadership positions: Spiritual Director of Philosophy Students, St. Bonaventure’s Friary, Cork, 1944-67; Master of Novices, Kilkenny Friary, 1970-5
Date of death: 29 Mar. 1993
Place of death: Our Lady’s Manor Nursing Home, Dalkey, County Dublin
Place of burial: Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin

Patrick Hyland was born in County Longford on 2 March 1901. He joined the Capuchin Order in September 1918 and took Edmund as his religious name. He was ordained to the priesthood on 29 June 1927. Two years later he was transferred to the mission custody in the United States. His first assignment was as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Oregon. He ministered there until 1947 when he moved to St. Joseph’s Parish in Roseburg, Oregon. During his term as pastor, he was instrumental in acquiring some new property on the edge of the town. He built a parish hall on the new site which served as a temporary church until funds could be raised to build a new place of worship. A school and rectory were also built and plans for a new church were also drawn up. In 1959 he was appointed pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Fort Bragg in California. He remained here until 1961 when he was appointed guardian (local superior) at St. Patrick’s Friary in Wilmington in Delaware. He assisted in the transfer of this house to the New Jersey Capuchin Province. His health began to fail in the years afterwards and he was assigned to the community residing at San Lorenzo Friary, Santa Inés, California. He died in San Lorenzo on 9 August 1969 and was buried in the adjoining cemetery.

Baptismal name: Patrick Hyland
Religious name: Fr. Edmund Hyland OFM Cap.
Date of birth: 2 Mar. 1901
Place of birth: Agharanagh, Rathcline, County Longford (Diocese of Ardagh)
Name of father: Michael Hyland
Name of mother: Mary Hyland (née Gavigan)
Date of reception into the Capuchin Order: 29 Sept. 1918
Date of first profession: 4 Oct. 1919
Date of final profession: 4 Oct. 1922
Date of ordination (as priest): 29 June 1927
Educational attainments: BA (1923)
Missionary activities: Travelled to the United States mission custody in 1929
Date of death: 9 Aug. 1960
Place of death: Los Angeles, California
Place of burial: Cemetery, San Lorenzo Seminary, Santa Inés, California

Baptismal name: James Kelleher
Religious name: Br. Didacus Kelleher OFM Cap.
Date of birth: 4 Aug. 1873
Place of birth: Watergrasshill, County Cork (Diocese of Cloyne)
Name of father: Willliam Kelleher
Name of mother: Catherine Kelleher (née McCarthy)
Date of reception into the Capuchin Order: 29 June 1895
Date of first profession: 29 June 1896
Date of final profession: 9 July 1899
Missionary activities: Travelled to the United States in May 1914
Date of death: 3 May 1947
Place of death: St. Bonaventure’s Friary, Cork
Place of burial: Cemetery, Capuchin Friary, Rochestown, County Cork

From the ‘Necrology of the Western American Province’ (2005):

James Kelleher was born near Watergrasshill in County Cork in August 1873. He was received into the Capuchin Franciscan Order in June 1895, took Didacus as his religious name, and was solemnly professed as a brother in July 1899. After a few years he and Fr. John Butler OFM Cap. were assigned to the new Capuchin mission in the United States. In 1914 they arrived in Paradise near Abbottstown in Pennsylvania. Here Br. Didacus helped the friars in caring for the church, the sacristy, and especially the Altar. In 1931 he was transferred from Abbottstown and ministered for several years at other locations in the American mission. After completing his assignment in the United States, he returned to Ireland. The remining years of his religious life were lived as a cook and sacristan at various friaries in the home province. For a short time, he ministered in Holy Trinity Friary in Cork. He died at St. Bonaventure’s Hostel in Cork on 3 May 1947 and was laid to rest in the cemetery adjoining the Capuchin Friary in Rochestown in County Cork.

Baptismal name: Michael McDonnell
Religious name: Br. Anthony McDonnell OFM Cap.
Date of birth: 28 June 1867
Place of birth: Dublin
Name of father: Michael McDonnell
Name of mother: Mary McDonnell (née Larkin)
Date of reception into the Capuchin Order: 19 Feb. 1903
Date of first profession: 19 Mar. 1904
Date of final profession: 13 June 1907
Date of death: 24 Dec. 1941
Place of burial: Cemetery, Capuchin Friary, Rochestown, County Cork

Baptismal name: Cornelius Francis Reardon
Religious name: Fr. Xavier Reardon OFM Cap.
Date of birth: 2 Feb. 1899
Place of birth: Blackrock Road, Ballintemple, County Cork
Name of father: Cornelius Reardon
Name of mother: Elizabeth Reardon (née Keane)
Date of reception into the Capuchin Order: 17 Sept. 1916
Date of first profession: 17 Sept. 1917
Date of final profession: 14 July 1921
Date of ordination (as priest): 29 June 1925
Educational attainments: BA (1926); Higher Diploma in Education (1926)
Missionary activities: Travelled to India in 1937. He returned to Ireland in 1948. Travelled to the United States in 1960. He returned to Ireland in 1967.
Date of death: 26 Dec. 1986
Place of death: Holy Trinity Friary, Cork
Place of burial: Cemetery, Capuchin Friary, Rochestown, County Cork.

From the ‘Necrology of the Western American Province’ (2005):

Cornelius Reardon was born in Cork on 2 February 1916. His early education was with the Christian Brothers’ schools in Cork (Sullivans’ Quay and North Monastery). He completed his studies at the Capuchin Franciscan College in Rochestown, County Cork (1915-6). On 17 September 1916 he was received as a novice in the Capuchin Order, taking Xavier as his religious name. The following year, after making his simple profession, he began philosophy studies in University College Cork. He returned to Rochestown to undertake theological studies. He was ordained to the priesthood at Holy Trinity Church in Cork on 29 June 1925. His first assignment was teaching in Rochestown College (1925-6). He then served in three communities in Ireland (Kilkenny, 1929-30), (Rochestown, 1930-1), (Church Street, Dublin, 1931-7). In 1937 he volunteered for missionary work under Archbishop Sylvester Mulligan OFM Cap. in India. For eleven years he laboured under difficult conditions, returning to Ireland in 1948. In the early 1960s he travelled to the United States and worked at various ministries in St. Patrick’s Friary in Wilmington, Delaware. Here he conducted novenas and retreats. He also helped in supply work. In 1963 he transferred to the new novitiate at San Lorenzo in Mission Santa Inés in California. Here he acted as spiritual director to the novices. He returned to Ireland in 1967 and spent the last years of his life in Holy Trinity Friary in Cork. He died on 26 December 1986 and was buried in the cemetery attached to Rochestown Friary in Cork.

William Patrick Travers was born into a prominent Cork family on 20 March 1870. The family were devoutly Catholic. John, his elder brother, was also a Capuchin friar and took Anthony as his religious name. Another brother was an Augustinian friar while a sister became an Ursuline nun. William joined the Capuchin Franciscans in 1887, took the religious name of Aloysius, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1894. From his earliest years, Aloysius took a keen interest in promoting the work of the temperance movement. He was appointed President of the Father Mathew Hall in Dublin, and held this position from 1904-13. During his years as President, he used the Hall for the promotion of temperance and as a recreational venue for the members of the Sacred Heart Sodality. To further support the ideals of temperance and to revitalise interest in Irish culture, he founded 'The Father Mathew Record' which began publication in January 1908. The year before, he had inaugurated the Féis Maitiu which promoted Gaelic cultural revivalist activities such as storytelling and festivals of native song and dance. Fr. Aloysius also used the pages of the 'Record' to strongly promote a ‘Buy Irish Campaign’. About this time, he also established the League of Young Irish Crusaders. Like many of the Capuchin friars of the Dublin community, Fr. Aloysius was involved in ministering to the Rising leaders during their imprisonment and was present at the execution of James Connolly in Kilmainham Jail on 12 May 1916. He later championed the cause of various labour leaders in Dublin. It has also been speculated that Fr. Aloysius undertook a secret mission to Pope Benedict XV in connection with the Irish struggle. He was elected seven times to the office of Provincial Definitor (Councillor) and was Provincial Minister of the Irish Capuchins from 1913-6. In his later years, he became an enthusiastic member of the Legion of Mary and published numerous devotional tracts including a popular prayer book, 'The Voice of the Church', 'The Seraphic Standard' and 'ĺosa Mo Mhian'. He died on 2 May 1957 at the Capuchin Friary, Church Street, Dublin. He was 89 years old and was a Capuchin friar for almost 69 of these years. He was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.

Daniel Murphy was born on 17 June 1881 in Cork. He was baptised in St. Finbarr’s Church on 19 June 1881. His parents were James and Sarah Murphy (née Flynn) of Ethelville, Western Road, Cork. He was a student of Presentation College and later Rochestown College in Cork. He applied for entrance to the Capuchin novitiate in August 1898 taking the religious name of Columbus. He was ordained a priest in 1906. He subsequently studied at the Catholic University of Louvain and obtained a Bachelor of Divinity in 1909. His life as a friar was mostly devoted to missionary and retreat work. At the outbreak of the 1916 Rising Fr. Columbus was a member of the Church Street community in Dublin. He would go on to play an important role in bringing about a cessation of hostilities. The day after the surrender of the Four Courts garrison on 29 April there was still confusion in North King Street and in other locations as to whether this was a truce or a complete surrender. To clarify, Fr. Columbus went to the Four Courts to retrieve Patrick Pearse’s note which had led to the surrender of Commandant Edward Daly. He later negotiated with the British military to arrange a personal meeting with Pearse in Arbour Hill and brought a copy of his surrender order to Commandant Patrick Holohan at North Brunswick Street. Between 30 April and 4 May Fr. Columbus was called upon to minister to prisoners in Kilmainham Jail prior to their executions. He later compiled a memoir recording his experiences of ministering to various rebel leaders awaiting their court martials and sentencing (IE CA IR-1-2-6). Fr. Columbus later acted as President of Father Mathew Hall, Church Street, Dublin, from 1925-8. He died on 20 February 1962.

John Moynihan, the son of Thomas and Mary Moynihan, was born on 24 November 1900 in Castlegregory, County Kerry. He was educated at Aughacasla National School (eight years) and at St. Brendan’s Seminary, Killarney (four years) and he matriculated in June 1918. He studied at All Hallows College in Dublin from October 1918 to March 1919. He joined the Irish Capuchin Franciscans in September 1920 taking the religious name of Senan. He took his final vows in 1925 and he was ordained a priest in 1928. Shortly after his ordination in 1928 he was appointed editor of ‘The Father Mathew Record’, a popular monthly publication of the Irish Capuchins which promoted the Order’s overseas’ missions (particularly in Africa) and carried articles supporting the cause of total abstinence. Fr. Senan strove to create a higher grade, more literary publication. He was acquainted with many well-known Irish writers and artists and he secured permission from the Order’s leadership to publish an ‘Annual’ in 1930. ‘The Capuchin Annual’ was published from 1930 to 1977. The publication was very much the work of Fr. Senan and he remained its editor until 1954. In 1955 a decision was made at the Capuchin Provincial Chapter to remove Fr. Senan from the editorship of the ‘Annual’. Soon afterwards he travelled to Perth at the invitation of Archbishop Redmond Prendiville (1900-1968), a fellow Kerry man. Fr. Francis Moynihan, a brother of Fr. Senan, had also been resident in Australia and was parish priest of St. John’s, Clifton Hill, in Melbourne. Fr. Francis was also the editor of ‘The Advocate’, a leading Catholic newspaper in Australia. Fr. Senan arrived in Perth in 1959. He was incardinated into the Perth Archdiocese on 1 April 1959 (as a diocesan priest having left the Capuchin Order). On arrival he took up a position as chaplain to religious sisters at St Anne’s Hospital, Mt Lawley (now Mercy Hospital). He did not, however, act as a chaplain to the patients. Archbishop Redmond Prendiville appointed him the first archivist of the Archdiocese of Perth in July 1962. Fr. Senan died in Perth on 26 July 1970. He is buried in Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth.

Michael Joseph Dowling, the son of Michael and Catherine Dowling (née Byrne), was born in Kilkenny on 13 March 1874. John Dowling, an older brother, joined the Capuchins in 1888 and took Laurence as his religious name. Michael followed in his brother’s footsteps and joined the Order in Kilkenny a year later in September 1889. He took Thomas as his religious name and he was solemnly professed as a friar in October 1894. He was ordained a priest in Kilkenny on 21 December 1896. Fr. Thomas was a professor at Rochestown Capuchin College in Cork, and later served as guardian (local superior) of the Capuchin Friary in Dublin. He visited Oregon in the United States in 1910 to select a suitable mission parish for the Irish Capuchins in Baker City. In this period, he held several senior administrative positions in the Order and served as definitor (councillor) from 1907-10 and was Provincial Minister of the Irish Capuchins from 1910-3. He was also guardian of Holy Trinity Friary in Cork in 1920.

He emerged as a prominent public figure in Cork because of his high-profile campaigning on social and political issues. He was active in the Anti-Conscription campaign in the city in 1918 and was elected Honorary President of the Cork and District Trades and Labour Council. During the First World War, there was widespread economic distress in Cork as wages failed to keep pace with rising prices. The result was numerous strikes and general worker unrest. Dowling had studied social reform and he threw himself wholeheartedly into the task of industrial dispute mediation. His interventions were accepted by employers and trades unions alike. He presided over negotiations between tramway workers and their employers in a crucial wage dispute and was instrumental in securing a settlement between the two sides in 1919. He was awarded the freedom of Cork in 1920 in recognition of his invaluable services in preserving the peace of the city and for his role in successfully resolving industrial disputes. He also received an honorary degree (an LL.D. or a Doctor of Laws) from Professor P.J. Merriman (1877-1943), President of University College Cork. The award was given on account of his ‘invaluable services’ in ensuring peaceful and harmonious social relations in the city. The Cork Trades’ Council later donated a stained-glass window to Holy Trinity Church to mark his contribution in securing workers’ rights.

His ministries as a Capuchin friar centred on preaching missions and retreats and he was also an enthusiastic promoter of the temperance cause (he was instrumental in organising the Father Theobald Mathew Pavilion at the Cork International Exhibition in 1902). In 1926 Fr. Thomas offered to travel to the United States to work as a missionary friar. The Irish Capuchins had established a mission custody on the American Pacific Coast in 1910. His first appointment was in Our Lady of the Angels Church and Capuchin Friary in Burlingame near San Francisco. He was appointed Pastor of St. Lawrence of Brindisi Church situated in Watts in South Los Angeles in 1937. In the following years he succeeded in paying off the considerable debt on both the church and the adjoining school. He served as Custos (Superior) of the Western American Capuchin Mission from 1940-6. He died on 7 January 1951 and was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Michael Cronin was born in Cork in January 1849. He was received into the Capuchin Order at Rochestown in County Cork on 30 July 1882. He took Leo as his religious name upon joining the Order. He was solemnly professed as a Capuchin friar in August 1887. For the following sixty-seven years he fulfilled the ordinary duties of a lay brother in most of the houses of the Irish Capuchin Province. He was particularly known as a Brother Questor in Dublin, seeking alms and donations for the poor. Following several years of ill-health, he died in the Capuchin Friary on Church Street in Dublin on 23 October 1949. He was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.

Baptismal name: Michael Cronin
Religious name: Br. Leo Cronin OFM Cap.
Date of birth: 30 Jan. 1859
Place of birth: Cork
Name of father: Michael Cronin
Name of mother: Mary Cronin (née Foley)
Date of reception into the Capuchin Order: 30 July 1882
Date of first profession: 8 Aug. 1883
Date of final profession: 2 Aug. 1887
Date of death: 23 Oct. 1949
Place of death: Capuchin Friary, Church Street, Dublin
Place of burial: Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin