The death has occurred of Fr Tim O'Riordan PP, of Abbeyside, Dungarvan Co. Waterford, and Iveragh Road, Killorglin, on Tuesday November 12th, after a short illness. Tim was born on December 23rd, 1957 at Iveragh Road, Killorglin, to Timmy (Thado) and Norrie O'Riordan (nee McCarthy). He attended Scoil Mhuire national school and Intermediate school (Carnegie) Killorglin. He left home to train as a chef in the Two Mile Inn Hotel in Limerick where he spent three happy years. He was well regarded and made many friends there but Tim spoke of becoming a priest on several occasions and maybe even heading to the foreign missions.
He obviously felt a calling and entered St. John's in Waterford in 1977 and studied there until he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Waterford on the 5th June, 1983. His first parish was St John's in Waterford city , as curate. He was next appointed Chaplain to Waterford Institute of Technology where he blossomed and made many lifelong friends. He then moved to Dungarvan where he felt very much at home. His last position began in 2005 when he was appointed PP in Abbeyside, just across the causeway from Dungarvan, where he served until his untimely passing.
Tim had three churches in his parish: Abbeyside, Ballinroad and Garranbane as well as several schools. He embraced his new position with his usual vigour, thoroughness and passion and injected new life and energy into the parish as a whole.
While there he formed links with a little place called Maramanti in Kenya, where through a partnership, great work was carried out. Essential wells for clean water supply were dug and plans for a new hospital were under consideration. On occasions when Tim visited Kenya he took a hands-on approach and just got stuck in to the work.
Tim achieved an incredible amount in his short life and what he achieved was always for the benefit of others, putting himself last at all times. He never believed in half measures; if it was going to be done, then doing it right was the only option. He was master of the one liner, was beautifully witty and had a great ability to size up a situation in one humorous line. This was always used to good affect either at drawn out meetings or when socialising if someone just went on a bit too long.
He had a special interest in history and politics but criticise The Big Fellow (Michael Collins) and Tim was off.
He was gifted in the use of words and delivered wonderful homilies which were always well received. Tim made many friends throughout his short life and they have remained friends which tells a lot about his character.
Though Tim spent the majority of his life amongst the people of Waterford, Killorglin was still home. He always made his annual trip to Puck Fair and tried to pay flying visits as often as he could in between. He remembered every special occasion of his three nieces and his nephew.
Tim was an avid reader and writer from a very early age, loved music, and was a good singer. Tim had a great interest in all sport but particularly in the GAA. He played at home as a young lad in both Gaelic football and basketball being quite handy at both. He had a keen interest in, and indeed got involved with, the local club of Abbeyside/Ballinacourty.
The outpouring of sympathy during Tim's funeral in Abbeyside speaks volumes of the high regard in which he was held. On return for Mass and burial in his native Killorglin, relatives and friends again mourned his passing in great numbers.
Tim will be sadly missed by the two communities, by his friends, relatives and by his immediate family, his brother John, his sister Catherine, sister-in-law Brid, brother-in-law John McGrath, his nieces Anna, Danielle and Grainne O'Riordan, and nephew Timothy McGrath.
His Months Mind Mass will be held on Friday, December 13th at 7.30pm in St Lawrence's Church, Ballinroad, Abbeyside.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.

Kerry's Eye, 12th December 2013 Tweet

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