Fr. Frank MacNamara RIP

The death has occurred of Fr. Frank MacNamara, formerly of Clara, Co. Offaly, St. Finian's College, Mullingar and the parishes of Ratoath and Tullamore..

Frank MacNamara was a native of Clara parish and was born on 5 May 1931. He was educated at the Franciscan Boys National School, Clara, St Finian’s College, Mullingar, St Patrick’s College, Maynooth and University College Dublin (UCD). He was ordained to the priesthood in 1956 and was then appointed to the staff of St Finian’s College where he taught until 1984.

During his time there he was the first Director of the Schola Cantorum which was established there by the Irish Hierarchy in 1970 and he also taught periodically at Maynooth and at UCD from 1967 until 1984.

Mullingar Choral Society was founded as a concert choir in 1968. It’s first public performance was the Faure Requiem conducted by Fr Frank in 1978. He was a fine organist and choral conductor.

He was appointed Parish Priest of Ratoath in September 1984 and served in Tullamore parish also from October 1999.

Fr Frank retired due to ill health in 2007 and has resided at Newbrook Nursing Home and Cluain Lir Nursing Home where he died on 6 December 2024.

May he rest in peace.

“I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”