Olof Gill
The town of Newport last week lost one of its most distinguished citizens with the passing of the Venerable Thomas Stoney of the village of Ardagh. Born in Dublin in 1934, the Rev Stoney was the third generation of his family to live in Rosturk Castle near Mulranny. His grandfather was General William Nugent, native of County Cavan, who led the Ulster Division in World War One.
Rev Stoney received his education at Oxford University and Trinity College Dublin, where his academic excellence saw him win various student prizes. Having been ordained a minister in 1958, he took up a curacy in Portrush, County Antrim, and later a curacy in Carrickfergus.
He then served a long period as rector in Broughshane, where he was appointed Archdeacon of Dal Riada in the Connor Diocese of North Antrim. The Rev Stoney was especially renowned for the strong leadership and courage he displayed during the Troubles, ensuring that the village remained a peaceful and co-operative haven during the worst years of Northern Ireland’s troubled modern history.
It was also in Broughshane where he developed his keen interest in gardening, helping to promote the area as the ‘garden village of Ulster’. The success of this venture was memorably proven when Broughshane achieved the remarkable trio of simultaneously holding the Ulster in Bloom, Britain in Bloom and Europe in Bloom awards.
The Rev Stoney’s reputation as a skilful and dedicated naturalist became well known throughout the Newport area when he and his wife, Carol, retired to his family home in the early 1990s. Speaking to The Mayo News yesterday (Monday), Carol Stoney said that returning to his roots meant a great deal to the Rev Stoney. “Like a salmon, he swam back up his own river.”
He worked extensively on developing the natural beauty of their house and grounds, notably maintaining the native woodlands.
Dr Declan Little, of the Woodlands of Ireland organisation, contacted The Mayo News to effusively praise the Rev Stoney’s brilliant work.
He is survived by his wife Carol and their children, sons Sam (living in England) and James (married to Cara in England) and daughter Fania (married to Julian Ellison and living in Ardagh, Newport).
