11/11/2023
๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐ฉ๐๐ข๐ to ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐โ๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ข๐ก๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ญ. ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ฌโ ๐๐ก๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ก, ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ, ๐ฐ๐ก๐จ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐๐ฌ๐.
The Church of Ireland Bishop of the Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe has paid tribute to Achill-based rector Reverend Maebh OโHerlihy who died after a brave battle with Motor Neurone Disease.
Reverend Maebh OโHerlihy passed away aged 75 years in the Mayo Hospice in Castlebar on Friday after a long battle with Motor Neurone Disease having been diagnosed with the disease in December 2021.
The Dublin native lived for a number of years in Brussels with her family and studied Theology and Catechetics in Louvain University. She moved to live in Achill in 2000 and later took the decision to study to become a Church of Ireland priest. She was ordained in 2020 and was appointed as Rector of St Thomas' Church in Dugort on Achill Island.
Bishop Michael Burrows paid tribute to Rev OโHerlihy following her death stating that she battled her illness with dignity and described her as an inspiration.
โHer illness (MND) had been long and extraordinarily difficult; the courage and integrity she displayed throughout its course were an inspiration. But we must at this time also take the longer view of her character and service, and give particular thanks for her contribution to the rich spiritual life of Achill, her pioneering vision for the Sacred Path, her capacity to draw others into a shared pursuit of holiness and beauty. As we approach All Saintsโ tide we rejoice despite our tears to number her among those who have been veritable saints for us in our time and context,โ Bishop Burrows wrote on the Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe page.
A memorial service will take place in St Thomasโs Church, Dugort on ๐๐ง๐๐๐๐ฎ, ๐๐ค๐ซ๐๐ข๐๐๐ง 17 ๐๐ฉ 2๐ฅ๐ข after which her ashes will be interred in the churchyard.
Bishop Burrows stated that Maebh had been 'carefully and courageously planning its contents for some time' and she has specifically requested people wear bright clothes and no black was to be worn while clergy and readers are asked not to robe, but to be part of the congregation with the rest of Maebhโs friends and family.
๐๐ฏ๐ต๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐๐ค๐๐ถ๐ญ๐ต๐บ, ๐๐ข๐บ๐ฐ ๐๐ฆ๐ธ๐ด
31๐ด๐ต ๐๐ค๐ต๐ฐ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ณ 2023
