Funeral of Patrick McArdle brings ’Blayney to standstill

- Brendan Ó Dufaigh-

It is with regret that we note the death of Patrick McArdle, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan. His funeral Mass was concelebrated in St Mary’s Church last Saturday with local curate, Fr Jeremiah Munyoki wa Zalekye as chief concelebrant. The other concelebrants were Fr Micheal Daly, PP Donaghmoyne; Fr Stephen Joyce, PP Tydavnet and Fr Jason Murphy, Kilmore Diocese and Deputy Principal Breifne College. Deacon Gary Carville was also present.

Patrick McArdle received his post primary education in Ardscoil Lorgan, now Castleblayey College, where his wife, Mary, is principal. After third level education in Limerick, he went to Beech Hill College in 1993, where he taught Technology (Metalwork and Engineering), transferred to Inver College, Carrickmacross in 2002 and returned to Beech Hill College as Deputy Principal in 2011. He was later appointed principal in 2016 and in the subsequent years, played an integral role in progressing and developing the school for the good of the community. The major extension that is well underway was his brain child and it is regrettable that Patrick will not be around to see its official opening. He interested himself in the progress of the extension up until a day or two before his death.

Patrick cycled from Mizen to Malin in 2021 and all proceeds went to Castleblayney Cancer Society, hence the presentation of a cycling helmet as one of the symbols before the start of Mass. A spirit level to represent his teaching subjects and also his measured approach to life was a further symbol; a family photograph – as family meant everything to him; and a hurley and sliothar representing his sporting interests. While his four sons - Caleb, Zachary, Nathan and Tim - all played for the Faughs, Patrick himself was more a hurling man and made an immense contribution to the local club, one of the few senior hurling clubs in Co Monaghan.

In Beech Hill College, Patrick McArdle left a lasting impression on all his students as he genuinely cared for the entire school community. His leadership, wisdom, warmth and friendship were appreciated at school level and at fellow principals’ level. Many past students have commented that he showed a keen interest in their welfare and wellbeing and that he encouraged and inspired them to strive for the best in later life.

The last 18 months had necessitated regular visits to St James’s Hospital and St Luke’s Hospital. He did, however, return to his leadership role in Beech Hill College after the Easter holidays this year.

Patrick’s funeral on Saturday was one of the largest seen in Castleblayney for some time. The remains and funeral cortege appropriately proceeded on foot from St Mary’s Park to the nearby church. Students from Beech Hill College and Castleblayney College along with sporting and community organisations formed guards of honour along the route.

The music and appropriate hymns and songs were performed by Beech Hill College choir and orchestra assisted by Castleblayney College choir. The arrangement of the psalm was truly unique and the ceremony also included music from Coldplay with particularly poignant lyrics and aptly culminated with an instrumental version of Liverpool’s anthem, ‘You Will Never Walk Alone.’

Two of Patrick’s sons read the first and second readings, while his wife, Mary, read the reflection after Communion. He was then laid to rest in the adjoining ceremony with an extensive guard of honour from church to his place of rest for his very final journey.

We extend our sympathies to his wife Mary, sons, Caleb, Zachary, Nathan and Tim, his mother, Kathleen and his siblings, Brendan, Raymond, Dermot, Cathriona, Michelle and Evanne. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

Suaimhneas síoraí dó agus go dtuga Dia sólas dá chlann agus muintir ar fad.