Death of Rev. John Barrett C.C., Kilvine (1865)

Athenry Native

Source: Freemans Journal, Wednesday, November 15, 1865; Page: 3

Seldom has it been our duty to chronicle a death which filled us with more deep felt sorrow than does that of the Rev. John F. Barrett, C.C., Kilvine, in this diocese. The melancholy event occurred on Sunday last, at Cullane, the residence of Edward Rush, Esq., after a very lengthened illness. The lamented deceased had attained the 48th year of his age, and the 25th of his sacred ministry in the priesthood.

The constant and laborious duties of a missionary clergyman over-taxed his constitution at all times delicate; and his unremitting and devoted zeal in the confessional, at the altar, and by the bed sides of the dying throughout the extensive districts of Errisanagh and Roundstone, during the early period of his sacerdotal career, sowed the fatal seeds of a discase against which he struggled long, but which, alas! no medical skill could eradicate or battle Consumption cruelly eat its wasting way into his vitals. But whilst his body was sinking under the insidious influences of infirmity, his spirit was again and again strengthened by the sacraments of that religion of which he was so edifying a minister during five and twenty years: and by the frequent visits of his brother clergymen, by whom, owing to his sparkling wit, inoffensive manners. courteous conversation, exemplary piety and all other priestly virtues, he was in a most singular degree beloved. Early on Tuesday morning his remains were conveyed from Cullane to the parish chapel of Kilvine, over a distance of some three miles, on the shoulders of the people, to whom, for more than one and twenty years, he was indeed a good priest, and “from the soul the forms of the flock” by word alike and work; and who, the privilege of paying this mark of regard and reverence to their own dear Father John. At half-past ten o’clock there was a solemn mass de requiem, in the chapel of Kilvine, for the repose of his soul; at which the Rev. Henry Cahill, C.C, Becan, officiated as celebrant; with the Rev. Peter Geraghty, P.P., Becan, as deacon; the Rev. Patrick Sheridan, C.A, Annagh, as sub-deacon, and the Rev. Peter Reynolds, P.P., , &c Claremorris, as the master of ceremonies.

In the choir were the Very Rev Patrick J. O’Brien, P.P.,Glennamaddy, relative of the deceased; the Rev. Peter Jennings, P.P., the Rev. Geoffrey J. Bourke, C.C., Dunmore; the Rev. Patrick Horgan, P.P., , Annagh; the Rev. Jeremiah McEvilly, C.C., Knock; the Rev. M. Ralph, C.C., Aughamore; the Rev. T. Curran, P.P., Ballindine; the Rev. E. Griffin, C.C. Claremorris, &c., &c..

Directly after the mass had terminated the remains of the departed priest were borne by hearse, and followed by a vast wake of vehicles, horsemen, and pedestrians, to the railway station at Tuam; and thence conveyed by train for interment in the family burying-place, in the old Abbey of Athenry, with his deceased relatives, according to his own express and written wish. The coffin was carried from the station at Athenry to the parish church, where it was left till Wednesday morning. Low masses were celebrated on that morning from a very early hour by his brother priests; and at 11 o’clock there was a solemn high mass presente cadavere, at which the Very Rev. John O’Grady, P.P., Athenry, officiated as celebrant; with the Rev. James Magee, C.C., Tuam, as deacon; the Rev. Coleman Galvan, P.P., Foghanagh (Clonfert), as sub-deacon; and the Very Rev. Patrick J. O’Brien, P.P., Glan, as the master of the ceremonies. In the choir were the Rev. John J. Noone, P.P.,Menlagh; Rev. Patrick Duggan, P.P., Cummer; Rev. Thomas Haddican, P.P., Abbey: Rev. Patrick Heney, Tuam; Very Rev. Anthony Blake, Prior Esker Convent; Rev. Jolm Hughes, O,S.D., Esker Convent; Rev. John Deely, C.A.,Ballymacward, (Clonfert); Rev. John McGough, P.P., Lacka; Rev.John Cavanagh, P.P., Killererin; Rev. John Madden, C.C., Craughwell (Kilmacduagh); Rev. Thomas Ronayne, C.C., Headford;Rev. Henry Cahill, C.C., Becan; Rev Patrick McNamara, P.P., Donaghpatrick; Rev. John Barrett, C.C., Caherlistrane, &c. At one o’clock, p.m., immense crowds of his native townsmen and parishioners assembled to attend his funeral from the parish church of Athenry to the historic abbey of the Dominicans in that town, within whose mouldering but yet majestic ruins all that was mortal of the saintly Father Barrett was rendered back to dust, amid the tearful regrets and the united supplications of the priests and people that thronged to mourn and pray around his grave.