Corkery, Denis, 1914-1997, Capuchin priest

• An tAthair Fiachra (Donncha) Ó Corcara OFM Cap.

• Corkery, Fiacre

Denis Corkery was born in Ballyvourney in County Cork on 6 April 1914. He received his early education in Ballyvourney National School and subsequently, attended Rochestown Seraphic College (1929-32) in County Cork. He was received into the Capuchin Order in October 1932 and took Fiacre as his religious name. He made his solemn profession on 4 October 1936 and was ordained to the priesthood on 14 June 1942. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts from University College Cork (UCC) in 1936 and graduated with a Master of Arts in 1937. Four years of theological studies followed in Ard Mhuire Friary in County Donegal, after which he returned to UCC to obtain a Doctorate in Philosophy in 1944. He then went to the International Capuchin College in Rome and studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University where he received a Licentiate of Sacred Theology (STL) in 1947. On his return to Ireland, he was appointed a lector in theology in Ard Mhuire. He spent three years in the Church Street community in Dublin from 1958 to 1961 after which he was transferred to the Capuchin house in Raheny where he spent the remainder of his life. During this time, he was engaged in pastoral work giving retreats and missions (especially retreats to religious), hearing confessions, preaching and general friary duty. Fluent in both Irish and French, he contributed several articles to various publications and was a frequent contributor to ‘The Father Mathew Record’ (later ‘Eirigh’). He died in Raheny on 15 November 1997 and was buried in the Capuchin plot in Glasnevin Cemetery.

Baptismal name: Denis Corkery
Religious name: Fr. Fiacre Corkery OFM Cap. (he reverted to his baptismal following the Second Vatican Council)
Date of birth: 6 Apr. 1914
Place of birth: Toonlane, Ballyvourney, County Cork (Diocese of Cloyne)
Name of father: John Corkery (Farmer)
Name of mother: Brigid Corkery (née Vaughan)
Date of reception into the Capuchin Order: 3 Oct. 1932
Date of first profession: 4 Oct. 1933
Date of final profession: 4 Oct. 1936
Date of ordination (as priest): 14 June 1942
Educational attainments: BA, 1st class hons. (1936); MA, NUI (1937); PhD (1944); Licentiate of Sacred Theology (STL), Rome (1947)
Date of death: 15 Nov. 1997
Place of death: Raheny, County Dublin
Place of burial: Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin