RIP: 'True gentleman' remembered in Mayo town upon passing

Michael Cunnane, Drum, Knock, Mayo, and formerly of Adrigoole, who died during the Christmas season was a member of a well known and prominent family in the Knock region.

A man of reserved and quiet disposition, Michael (75) impacted on the lives of many people on his
journey through life. He attended Primary Schools in Shanvaghera and Rooskey and later in Kiltimagh
VS.

He travelled down many roads in a life that saw him attend Athenry Hotel School and later become
ordained as a priest with the St Patrick’s Missionary Society of the Kiltegan Fathers in Wicklow.

Many lovely tributes have been paid to Michael since his passing. Martin Monaghan from Athlone
recalled how he first met Michael at the Athenry Hotel School back in the day.

“We remained in contact through regular meetings at PPU events, the most recent being the autumn of 2024. He could enlighten and delight with his conversations and he was a true gentleman.”

Gerard McHugh said Michael was a good friend to many and helped a lot of people. “We will miss him
from the Cenacolo Community in Knock of which he was so supportive over the years.”

Méabh and Cathal Gilbert also extended condolences to the Cunnane family. “Michael was one of the
kindest and most empathetic people we have ever met, with a seemingly bottomless well of patience.”

Fr Gary Howley of the Kiltegan Fathers was the homilist at the Requiem Mass in Knock Church. He said
Michael was a family and community man who reached out to so many people. His strong faith was at the heart of his life and he made a number of trips to Medjugorje.

“After his ordination, he went to Nigeria in 1982 and came back to Kiltegan some years later. His spirit
was restless and he eventually decided to leave the priesthood.

“Michael was blessed with many gifts. His spirit was a blessing to many including the Cenacola
community/He had a strong devotion to Our Lady of Knock and his Marian Prayer gathering and he was very much at home among his own people here in Knock parish,” said Fr Howley.

Michael was gifted when it came to food and gardening matters and he excelled at both, always showing a deep respect for nature and the soil.

Reposing was at his residence with removal to the Parish Church. Fr Richard Gibbons, PP, was the chief
celebrant at the Mass and was joined by Fr Gary Howley and Fr Michael Reilly.

Michael, who was predeceased by his parents John and Anne, his brothers Sean, Tom, Patrick and
Brendan, and sisters-in-law Josie and Teresa, will be sadly missed by his brothers Joe, Ciaran and Eamon, his sisters Mary (Biesty) and Annemarie (Perry), his sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, his many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grand nephews, great-grand nieces and great- grand nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.