Mayo college honours Monsignor John O’Boyle for sterling service

Monsignor John O’Boyle arrived in St. Colman’s College, Claremorris, in late September 1967 and he has been involved with the south Mayo school, in various capacities, ever since.

His appointment by Archbishop Joseph Walsh would shape the trajectory of the college for the best part of the next six decades.

As a young priest, who originally hailed from Lacht, near Moylough, in Co. Galway, Fr. O’Boyle was first and foremost a teacher of French and he introduced Commerce as a teaching subject to the College shortly after his arrival.

He also saw the need for career guidance in those early days and he oversaw its development into a sanctuary of pastoral care for students in St Colman’s.

Under his direction, all students were given opportunities to clarify their future pathways in life because he saw the need to direct each student onto his own unique journey.

Monsignor O’Boyle qualified as a barrister and became an expert in Canon and European Law throughout his career.

This expertise would see him take up very important positions in the Archdiocese of Tuam in later years – he served as Director of Education and Child Protection for many years while also acting as president of St. Colman’s College and chairman of its newly formed board of management.

Outside of his professional duties Monsignor O’Boyle’s other passion has always been swimming.

In the early 1970’s he was instrumental in building a swimming pool in Claremorris and the club which emerged has been tremendously successful ever since.

Despite his accomplishments in so many areas Monsignor O’Boyle’s name will always be synonymous with St. Colman’s College.

His connection with the school has been productive, visionary and accomplished. His presence over so many years has impacted students, colleagues and indeed the very fabric of the institution that is Coláiste Cholmáin.

On November 25, 2022, the college acknowledged his enormous contribution over so many years by celebrating Mass in his honour.

The chief celebrant was His Grace, Archbishop Francis Duffy of Tuam and concelebrating were Fr. Peter Gannon, Fr. Shane Costello, Fr. Des Walsh and Fr. Michael Murphy.

Many of Monsignor O’Boyle’s retired teaching colleagues returned to the college for the occasion and there was a lovely afternoon of reminiscing and nostalgia in his beloved St Colman’s.

Cinnte, ni bheidh a shamhail arís ar fail. Go mba fada buan é!