Monsignor Byrne celebrates 90th birthday with family

MONSIGNOR Brendan Byrne celebrated a milestone birthday recently when he was joined by family and friends at an afternoon dinner party in Ballybeg House, Tinahely. The much-loved priest, who has served for significant periods of his long career in the parish of Tullow and in Knockbeg College, turned 90 on 5 August.

Over 100 family members and friends, including nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews travelled from New York, Key West, Vietnam, Scotland, England and from all over the local area to celebrate the Monsignor’s long life.

His nephews, Frank Byrne and Seamus Doyle made speeches while Bishop Denis Nulty said a few words. Monsignor Byrne looked back over his life and thanked everyone for being there for him.

“It was an absolutely beautiful day, from start to finish,” said Kate Byrne, his niece. “Everyone mixed and mingled and had a wonderful time. It’s always lovely to spend time with him.” Monsignor Byrne was born in 1935 in Knockanoocra, Knockananna, Co Wicklow, the youngest of nine children born to James and Katie.

He attended national school at Rathmeigue and later at Rathcoyle before going to Knockbeg College in Carlow for his secondary education. In 1954 he entered St Patrick’s college Maynooth as a student for the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin where he was a classmate of John Hume and also of Kildare and Leighlin’s Bishop Jim Moriarty and Kerry’s Bishop Bill Murphy.

He graduated with a degree from the national university in 1957 and also a degree from the Pontifical University in 1960. While in Maynooth he continued to develop his interest in the Irish language and was editor of Irisleabhar Muighe Nuadhat in his final years in the college.

Mons Byrne was ordained in 1961 and in July of that year the young Fr Byrne was appointed CC in Borris, Co. Carlow but in September of the same year he was transferred to Clane, Co. Kildare from where he was also to pursue his studies in Maynooth for a higher diploma in education which he took out 1962. The following year he was appointed to the staff of Knockbeg College, where he would spend the next twenty-six years.

He was a founder member of the French teachers association at local and national level, editor of its magazine for some years and held the office of president of the association on two different occasions. He also chaired the Carlow Branch of Conradh na Gaeilge for several years.

Monsignor Byrne spent most of his summers working in parishes in different parts of America or bringing Irish Students to the Alps area of France on exchange programmes.

In 1985 he was appointed Rector of Knockbeg where he undertook major renovation work while four years later he was appointed parish priest of Tullow. 

Moving into the parish priest position was an enormous change but he did magnificent work in the Tullow parish right up until he left in 2012. When Bishop Moriarty retired in 2010 Monsignor Brendan became the diocesan administrator to help fulfil the diocese’s needs up until Bishop Denis Nulty was appointed in 2013. To date Monsignor Brendan is Diocesan Secretary/Chancellor – Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin taking up the appointment in 2014. Having reached his 90th birthday on 5 Aug, he is still very much involved in the diocese.