Monsignor played key role in development of schools
A FORMER Springfield parish priest, who was instrumental in the development of local schools, sadly passed away on January 12.
Monsignor Richard Sherry was the founding parish priest of St Mark’s from 1972 to 1982, before leaving for Donnybrook parish where he served for the rest of his life and was appointed Pastor Emeritus and addressed formally as Monsignor.
Despite serving for a relatively short time in Tallaght, Mons Sherry was known for his commitment to local schools, according to councillor Charlie O’Connor (FF).
Cllr O’Connor, who is from Springfield, said: “He pushed for funding for St Mark’s School, Scoil Ard Mhuire (now known as Solas Chríost National School and based in Belgard Heights) and St Anne’s Primary School in Fettercairn.”
According to Cllr O’Connor, Mons Sherry had a reputation as parish priest who was ‘prepared to get things done’.
“There was a myth that he would go into the Department of Education with his lunch and said he would sit there until a senior official met with him,” he said.
Pat Keogh is the former principal of Solas Chríost, where Mons Sherry sat on the board in 1977 when the school was based in St Mark’s Parish and known as Scoil Ard Mhuire.
According to Mr Keogh, Mons Sherry was an honorary guest at the opening of the school in Belgard Heights in 2013.
He said: “He was an honorary guest along with Bishop Eamonn Walsh, then-TD Pat Rabbitte and St Mark’s Parish priest Pat McKinley.
“After, we had a reception in a marquee on the school grounds and he commented on how taken aback he was by the development of Tallaght.
“I’m very saddened to hear of his death.”
Mons Sherry passed away in the care of Little Sisters of the Poor in Roebuck, D14
His funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook and he was buried in Deansgrange Cemetery.
Mon Sherry was the son of the late Peter and Elizabeth Sherry, beloved brother of the late Jack, Celine, Maureen and Sr. Josephine R. S. M.
He is deeply regretted by his sister, Rita Leonard and is deeply regretted by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, the bishops and priests of the Diocese, extended family, friends and parishioners.
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