The death has been announced of Msgr Caoimhín Ó Néill, retired President of Carlow College, St. Patrick’s.  

Msgr Caoimhín Ó Néill held the position of College President at Carlow College, St. Patrick’s from 1994 to 2015. A native of Trumera, Mountrath, Co. Laois, Msgr Ó Néill was ordained in 1969. He joined the staff of the College in 1972 and was a staff member for forty-three years.  He was involved in the training of seminarians for the priesthood and he lectured in English. 

In paying tribute, the current President, Fr Conn Ó Maoldhomhnaigh said that as President, Msgr Ó Néill, “oversaw the transformation of the College, providing access to third level education in the Humanities and Social Care in the south east of Ireland and beyond. He appointed many of the current staff members to the staff of the College”.  

Msgr Caoimhín was co-founder the Carlow Arts Festival, ÉIGSE Carlow. It was during his presidency that the College Trustees provided the site on the College Campus for VISUAL – the George Bernard Shaw Theatre and Exhibition Centre.  In recognition of his educational and cultural contribution to the Carlow Town and County and the wider region, Monsignor Ó Néill received the Freedom of Carlow (2006) and was named the Carlow Person  of the Year (2009).  He was created a Prelate of Honour with the title of Monsignor by Pope Benedict XVI.  

I bParrthas na nGrás go raibh sé.