Fr Brian Flynn, Ballinearla, Kilmacow, was known for his kindness, his humility and his homilies

Brian Flynn was born in Ballinearla, Kilmacow, to Willie and Eileen Flynn on 17th July 1939.

He attended St Patrick’s National School, Strangsmills where his mother, Eileen, was a teacher. He completed his secondary education at De La Salle College in Waterford. He excelled at hurling and gaelic football during his time there.

After his Leaving Certificate he went to the Diocesan Seminary at St Kieran’s College. In St Kieran’s he won awards for his knowledge of Scripture while on the sports fields he greatly enjoyed playing hurling and soccer. It was however, at table tennis, that he became best known among the student body.

He was ordained a priest on 2nd June 1963. His first appointment in August 1963 was to Windgap. He subsequently served in Urlingford (1965), in Freshford (1966-1967) and in St John’s Parish, Kilkenny (1968).

He was asked by Bishop Peter Birch if he would take up the position of Curate in the Sacred Heart Parish in Aston, Birmingham. There he was to develop a deep love for Birmingham and the people of the parish of Aston where he worked tirelessly to develop services locally.

His work included the local schools, the parish social centre and the provision of facilities for the local community, many of whom were part of the Irish Diaspora. During that time he was a great support for the Irish community in Birmingham at a most difficult period.

He was known for immersing himself in the activities of the parish, visiting the sick in their homes, residential or care homes or in hospital, calling into schools and performing his pastoral duties whenever and wherever needed. He was known too for his quiet manner and gentle ways. This formed a template for the conduct of his duties in all the places in which he served in future years.

People there recalled his kindness, his humility and his homilies, which were mainly brief in nature but effective in messaging. For his work he was presented each year with a season ticket for Villa Park, just down the road from him, and Aston Villa’s home matches. He continued to support Aston Villa and maintained a keen interest in their results all his life.

While in Aston he continued to make the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. Fr Brian had a personal devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes and was knowledgeable of the events associated with the apparition of Our Lady in 1858 and of that area of South-West France in the foothills of the Pyrenees.

He guided many of tours himself and in fact he often drove the mini-bus from Birmingham to Lourdes. He made 51 pilgrimages to Lourdes in his lifetime and many long-lasting friendships were made there with people from all over Ireland.

He loved his time in Aston but was asked in 1977 to return to Ireland to serve as administrator in St Patrick’s Parish, Kilkenny. He spent the next 13 years to 1990 there heavily involved in all aspects of his vocation spiritually and pastorally. He was hugely involved in the planning, fund-raising and supervision of the construction of the new St Fiacre’s Church in Loughboy.

He returned to Kilmacow, the parish of his birth, in October 1990. Straightaway he became actively involved in the life of the parish, visiting people in their own homes, in Rosedale and in hospital. His great empathy for people at difficult times especially in times of sickness and bereavement was a great comfort to them. He showed a quiet compassion to those who came to him and was wise with his counsel for those who sought it out.

He greatly enjoyed the community life of Kilmacow including participating in concerts which raised funds for Rosedale, Sports, Complex, Community Centre, Opportunity Knox and for Kilmacow Share 2000.

He loved music, song, story-telling and comedy. He was a member of Waterford Golf Club and a regular card player. In his time groups and organisations flourished in Kilmacow and there was none prouder of their many achievements than Fr Brian.
Sunday Mass was always a joyful celebration of the Eucharist and included a musical response from the choir and congregation in St Senan’s Church, the Marian Hall, Rosedale or elsewhere in South Kilkenny where he was often at hand to help out a colleague by saying Mass.

He continued to say Mass when requested even after he had retired. He had a love for Irish which he often incorporated into the Mass. Many will recall the Ár nAthair or the response A Thiarna Déan Trócaire which were part of the liturgy when Fr Brian said Mass. His love of sport, especially of hurling, was often referred to in his homilies.

He retained the friends made throughout his lifetime and he was happy to return at least once a year to parishes in which he had previously served and maintained contact with many people in Aston, Birmingham.

He retired in 2015. Despite having suffered with asthma all his life and from Parkinson’s Disease in his later years he continued to say Mass in the Marian Hall, Strangsmills.
People rallied to him in those later years and there was a network of people who ensured that he could still fulfill his visits to the sick at home or in nursing care.

Fr Brian left us in 2022. A lifetime of service of giving to others. A legacy left and valued by all who had the privilege to know him.
Ní imithe uainn riamh ach romhainn.