Book of condolence for founder of Capuchin Day Centre, Brother Kevin Crowley, to be opened
The 90-year-old Cork native who died on Wednesday morning in a nursing home is to be laid to rest on Saturday.
Advertisement
Brother Kevin's remains will arrive at St Mary of the Angel's, Church Street, Dublin at 5pm on Thursday, reposing there all day Friday with solemn evening prayer at 6pm.
Requiem Mass will be held at 11am on Saturday with burial afterwards in Dardistown cemetery.
President Michael D Higgins led tributes to Brother Kevin, saying he 'made an invaluable contribution' to the people of Dublin city, calling him a 'warm, caring, yet fearless man'.
The President added: 'It was extremely appropriate that Pope Francis visited Brother Kevin and the Capuchin Day Centre during his visit to Ireland in 2018 and met with those present and volunteers.'
Advertisement
Brother Kevin founded the Capuchin Day Centre in 1969, located on Bow Street in Dublin and he became synonymous with helping the poor of Dublin city down through the decades.
In 2018, Pope Francis paid a visit to the centre, which provides food and shelter to an average of 800 people every day. He met Brother Kevin as well as people who use their essential services there.
He was bestowed with the Freedom of Dublin City in 2015 by then Lord Mayor Independent councillor Christy Burke.
In 2018, the Cork man was presented with the fourth Oireachtas Human Dignity Award by the then ceann comhairle of Leinster House Seán Ó Feargháil TD for his tireless work with the homeless and those in need.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Genealogy: New virtual records unveil lost history of Ireland
Genealogical riches from every county of the island of Ireland feature among 175,000 new historical records which are now available the first time there are now 60,000 names on the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland from the 1821 census which was destroyed in 1922. The Four Courts blaze destroyed the Public Record Office of Ireland, and with it seven centuries of Irish of the virtual records, Dr Ciarán Wallace said handwritten copies of records have enabled the archives to expand. "What we've learned is that in the days before photocopiers and scanners, humans with pens or quills wrote tonnes and tonnes of copies of records, they could make copies for all sorts of reasons, for administrative reasons or for a court case, or for family research," he 1821 portal was compiled by hand, from transcriptions and notes preserved in the National Archives of Ireland and Public Record Office of Northern recovered transcripts of census returns revealed ordinary lives across the island of Ireland in the decades before and after the Great Famine, that were previously lost. Nine thousand new names for Co Armagh Dr Brian Gurrin, Census and Population expert, explained: "The 1821 census recorded the names of 6.8 million people and those names were contained in the public record office in 479 massive volumes. "Four volumes survived out of that and one of them is for a part of County Fermanagh, that's one of the original surviving volumes."County Armagh is one of the most documented counties across the island of Ireland. "We have introduced for some counties, a very small number of names, but for County Armagh we've introduced over 9000 names available in the Virtual Record Treasury. It is the largest number of names for any county in Ireland," Dr Gurrin said. Irish genealogy The portal has been made possible because of the personal notes made by 20th century Gurrin said: "I think it's 24 boxes of Tenison Groves' papers in Belfast. And we've worked through the Gertrude Thrift and Phillip Crossley's papers down in Dublin working page by page, by page, trying to identify census extracts that were taken by them that don't exist anymore in the originals."Dr Gurrin believes that this is the most extensive trawl that was ever conducted on these genealogical papers in order to extract "every scrap of census information". "I think we've looked at over 150,000 individual pages searching down through them to try to find the various census extracts that they would have taken."He said: "They were always available, but what we've done is we've made them available in one convenient place." The team works with 72 different archives and libraries across the UK, Ireland and the world to identify copies of material that may be of use."We make nice lists of them and where we can get digital images, we do."It's not just genealogy, but all sorts of records, local history stuff and everything there for the whole island of Ireland," Dr Wallace paved the way for census taking, as Great Britain did not start recording the names of all people until 1841, twenty years County Museum is a partner with the Barden, curator at the museum, said: "Digital platforms like this are essential tools for museums, they allow us to share rare and valuable material, such as our transcript of the 1821 Kilmore parish census fragment, with a much wider audience."He said by hosting it online, the Virtual Treasury will help researchers and shine a light on the strength and significance of the museums collections. Though many parts of Ireland at the time spoke and wrote in Irish, names and places in the census were recorded in English. Dr Gurrin said the census of the Aran Islands has been added "and even though it was 100% Irish speaking in 1821, there's not a single mention of the Irish language in the census."The enumerator doesn't say that the people here speak a different language. "And there's not a single Sean, or any sort of Irish first name recorded in it at all. "They're all recorded in English, so any anybody who is Padraig will be Patrick."Dr Wallace said: "It is just fascinating to be able to track back and find records of ancestors, in court cases or in dealing with the state in some way, sometimes positive, sometimes negative, but it sort of fleshes out their lives, gives us a sense of what their lives were like."
The Independent
9 hours ago
- The Independent
Brother Kevin Crowley gave ‘life's service' to the poor, funeral told
Brother Kevin Crowley had a simple mission to feed and house the poor, his funeral has been told. Brother Kevin, who died on Wednesday at the age of 90, founded the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin in 1969 in response to seeing homeless men eating from rubbish bins. Throughout a 55-year history, he oversaw much of its development in response to the needs of homeless people. The centre offers two hot meals per day Monday to Saturday, as well as food parcels and a range of services including clothing, showering facilities, and medical interventions. It provides more than 1,000 hot breakfasts and dinners each day. Brother Kevin was said to be grateful to be awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin in 2015 and for the visit of Pope Francis to the centre in August 2018. He retired in 2022 to Cork, where he was born and died earlier this week. His funeral took place at St Mary of the Angels on Church Street in Dublin on Saturday. President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins were among guests in an 'overflowing' church, which the service heard was receiving guests from all over the island of Ireland. Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell and former primate of Ireland Diarmuid Martin attended the mass alongside Capuchin Franciscans and staff at the day centre. Also present were Commandant Joe Glennon representing Taoiseach Micheal Martin, who is concluding a trade mission in Japan, Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam, and other public representatives from the city council and Oireachtas. Leading the service as provincial minister, Brother Richard Hendrick welcomed Brother Kevin's 'two families' – his natural family as well as the staff, volunteers and guests of the Day Centre. 'You are all welcome here today. While Brother Kevin was the inspiration and face as it were of the work of the centre, without all of you there would be much less reason for our gathering. 'We thank you for all you were to Brother Kevin, for all you are to us Capuchin Friars and for all you do to keep that vision alive of a place of refuge and Franciscan welcome in the heart of the city open to all.' Brother Richard said they had been 'inundated' with stories of the care and love Brother Kevin shared to others, as well as the love shared to him. He said Brother Kevin vision was that no one would go hungry and that all would fall a place of inclusive welcome and peace. Brother Richard said the day centre 'will continue and grow' as long as there are guests who need its services. Recalling recent queries from visitors if the centre would stop operating, he added: 'I think Kevin would haunt us all if there was even a thought of that.' Brother Richard thanked all those who had gathered, as well as all those worked at the day centre. 'Yesterday, we heard that there would be two minutes of silence – one in Dublin and one in Cork before the GAA matches take place. 'It is probably Kevin's greatest achievement that as a Cork man he has finally silenced Dublin.' In a homily, Brother Patrick Flynn said Brother Kevin gave a 'life's service' to the poor. He said the proud west Cork man was a 'very, very good Capuchin friar', a 'man of God', a 'disciple of Jesus Christ', and a 'humble, devout son of St Francis of Assisi'. 'He was a Capuchin to his fingerprints. Most people didn't know his family name of Crowley, but they knew of 'Brother Kevin'.' Brother Patrick said Brother Kevin was known the length and breadth of the country as a 'tireless advocate for those with no voice', acting as the nation's conscience to remind the public of their obligation to help others out of the trap of poverty. 'He was fearless, relentless in his pursuit of justice for the poor. I've no doubt that his great spiritual father St Francis is embracing him today for the love and compassion he extended throughout his religious life for God's poor.' He added: 'Kevin had a mission in life, it was very simple: Feed and house the poor. 'He couldn't understand why in our country we couldn't solve this problem.' Brother Patrick said Brother Kevin was a man who enjoyed the company of friars and friends, had a love of the GAA marked by a hurley placed beside his coffin during the service, and who had a great sense of humour demonstrated by his ability to laugh at himself. Remembering his friend for over 60 years, he concluded: 'He wasn't perfect, he could be feisty and challenging when he disagreed with you. 'But what he did have in abundance was a generous, compassionate heart and that is what made the man. 'Kevin, thank you for your good example.' The service was also read letters containing tributes from the Apostolic Nuncio of Ireland Luis Mariano Montemayor and General Councillor Brother Marek Miszczynski. Brother Kevin's burial site is at Dardistown Cemetery.
Powys County Times
10 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Brother Kevin Crowley gave ‘life's service' to the poor, funeral told
Brother Kevin Crowley had a simple mission to feed and house the poor, his funeral has been told. Brother Kevin, who died on Wednesday at the age of 90, founded the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin in 1969 in response to seeing homeless men eating from rubbish bins. Throughout a 55-year history, he oversaw much of its development in response to the needs of homeless people. The centre offers two hot meals per day Monday to Saturday, as well as food parcels and a range of services including clothing, showering facilities, and medical interventions. It provides more than 1,000 hot breakfasts and dinners each day. Brother Kevin was said to be grateful to be awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin in 2015 and for the visit of Pope Francis to the centre in August 2018. He retired in 2022 to Cork, where he was born and died earlier this week. His funeral took place at St Mary of the Angels on Church Street in Dublin on Saturday. President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins were among guests in an 'overflowing' church, which the service heard was receiving guests from all over the island of Ireland. Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell and former primate of Ireland Diarmuid Martin attended the mass alongside Capuchin Franciscans and staff at the day centre. Also present were Commandant Joe Glennon representing Taoiseach Micheal Martin, who is concluding a trade mission in Japan, Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam, and other public representatives from the city council and Oireachtas. Leading the service as provincial minister, Brother Richard Hendrick welcomed Brother Kevin's 'two families' – his natural family as well as the staff, volunteers and guests of the Day Centre. 'You are all welcome here today. While Brother Kevin was the inspiration and face as it were of the work of the centre, without all of you there would be much less reason for our gathering. 'We thank you for all you were to Brother Kevin, for all you are to us Capuchin Friars and for all you do to keep that vision alive of a place of refuge and Franciscan welcome in the heart of the city open to all.' Brother Richard said they had been 'inundated' with stories of the care and love Brother Kevin shared to others, as well as the love shared to him. He said Brother Kevin vision was that no one would go hungry and that all would fall a place of inclusive welcome and peace. Brother Richard said the day centre 'will continue and grow' as long as there are guests who need its services. Recalling recent queries from visitors if the centre would stop operating, he added: 'I think Kevin would haunt us all if there was even a thought of that.' Brother Richard thanked all those who had gathered, as well as all those worked at the day centre. 'Yesterday, we heard that there would be two minutes of silence – one in Dublin and one in Cork before the GAA matches take place. 'It is probably Kevin's greatest achievement that as a Cork man he has finally silenced Dublin.' In a homily, Brother Patrick Flynn said Brother Kevin gave a 'life's service' to the poor. He said the proud west Cork man was a 'very, very good Capuchin friar', a 'man of God', a 'disciple of Jesus Christ', and a 'humble, devout son of St Francis of Assisi'. 'He was a Capuchin to his fingerprints. Most people didn't know his family name of Crowley, but they knew of 'Brother Kevin'.' Brother Patrick said Brother Kevin was known the length and breadth of the country as a 'tireless advocate for those with no voice', acting as the nation's conscience to remind the public of their obligation to help others out of the trap of poverty. 'He was fearless, relentless in his pursuit of justice for the poor. I've no doubt that his great spiritual father St Francis is embracing him today for the love and compassion he extended throughout his religious life for God's poor.' He added: 'Kevin had a mission in life, it was very simple: Feed and house the poor. 'He couldn't understand why in our country we couldn't solve this problem.' Brother Patrick said Brother Kevin was a man who enjoyed the company of friars and friends, had a love of the GAA marked by a hurley placed beside his coffin during the service, and who had a great sense of humour demonstrated by his ability to laugh at himself. Remembering his friend for over 60 years, he concluded: 'He wasn't perfect, he could be feisty and challenging when he disagreed with you. 'But what he did have in abundance was a generous, compassionate heart and that is what made the man. 'Kevin, thank you for your good example.' The service was also read letters containing tributes from the Apostolic Nuncio of Ireland Luis Mariano Montemayor and General Councillor Brother Marek Miszczynski.
