Fr Lorcán Ó Muirí, whose legacy remains closely connected with Dunleer and the promotion of Irish language and culture, will be honoured at a special ceremony in the village next week.
Comhaltas Uladh will lay a wreath at his grave at St Brigid’s Church, Dunleer, at 11am on Tuesday, 3rd November as the organisation marks its 100th anniversary.
Fr Ó Muirí was parish priest of Dunleer from 1937 until his death in 1941.
His name remains familiar locally through Scoil Uí Mhuirí and the GAA grounds Páirc Uí Mhuirí.
A life dedicated to language and culture
Born in Carlingford in 1883, Fr Ó Muirí was the son of an RIC man and later became a priest.
He had a strong interest in local history, the GAA, and the Irish language, and was involved in the early years of the County Louth Archaeological Society.
He was also closely involved in promoting Gaelic games among schoolchildren in Louth.
Fr Ó Muirí became particularly known for his commitment to the Irish language, music and culture, and also collected many Irish songs from Oirialla.
He established Coláiste Bhríde in Omeath before moving the Irish summer college to Rann Na Feirste in County Donegal in 1926, where it continued to grow.
The college recently marked the centenary with a weekend of celebrations.
His sisters also had connections with the wider Louth area. Máire was a primary school teacher in Haggardstown, while Aoife taught in Donore before later marrying Drogheda man Phil Monaghan, who became town clerk in Dundalk.
Tuesday’s ceremony in Dunleer will provide an opportunity to remember Fr Ó Muirí’s contribution to Irish language, culture, education and community life 85 years after his death.
