Obituary – Fr Barney Maxwell

The late Fr Barney Maxwell, late of Emper, Ballynacargy, who died on Monday May 27, was a man who gave a lifetime of service to the Catholic church in a career that saw him minister in three continents.

Aged 84 at the time of his death, Fr Maxwell’s passing came peacefully at Newbrook Nursing Home, to which hie had moved only in latter months.

A native of Emper, Fr Maxwell was educated at St Finian’s College, following which he went to the seminary in Carlow to be ordained for the Diocese of Adelaide.

His ordination took place in 1959, following which he set off for the distant shores of Australia, where he spent several years in the service of the Adelaide Diocese.

Fr Maxwell then transferred to another distant location, Palm Springs in Florida, and he served there until 1993, when he was transferred back to Ireland.

Here at home, he was appointed by Bishop Michael Smith to serve in the parish of Kilbeggan and Rahugh, which he did for 15 years, ministering alongside the late Fr Lauri Halpin who, sadly, passed to his eternal reward in March 2016.

The two men retired in 2008, upon which Fr Maxwell moved back to his native Emper.

Known as a great raconteur, Fr Maxwell was also a talented footballer and indeed, he held a Leinster Minor medal, having been a member of the legendary 1952 Westmeath Minor team – of which, interestingly, seven went on to be priests.

Also worth noting is that in Fr Maxwell’s decision to enter the priesthood, he was following in the footsteps of two uncles, the late Frs Barney Plunkett and Jim Plunkett, who were brothers who served in the Meath diocese.

Fr Maxwell also had two sisters who entered religious life – Sr Rita RSM, Tullamore, and the late Sr Emmanuel RSM.

As well as being predeceased by Sr Emmanuel, Fr Maxwell was predeceased by his brother PJ, sisters Phyllis (Grennan), Bernadette (O'Roarke) and Rose (Kelly).

He is survived by his brothers Willie, Tom and Frank (John), sister Sr. Rita RSM (Tullamore), brothers-in-law Jackie Grennan and Paddy O'Roarke, sisters-in-law Elsie, Mary and Helen, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, and other relatives. Fr Maxwell’s remains reposed at Grennan's Funeral Home, Milltownpass, on Wednesday May 29 followed by removal to St Matthew's Church, Emper, arriving at 7pm.

The Funeral Mass on Thursday May 30 was celebrated by Fr Willie Fitzsimons, PP Milltown, and the homily was delivered by Fr Brendan Corrigan, PP, Kilbeggan.

Burial took place at Milltown Cemetery with Fr Fitzsimons officiating.