Heavenly céad míle fáilte for Br Michael, 94, after a life of teaching and supporting GAA

WHEN BROTHER Michael Muiris Cunningham reached the gates of heaven on Palm Sunday evening, the gatekeeper said to him, céad míle fáilte, and he went straight in, said his fellow Christian Brother, Br James Dormer at his funeral Mass.

Br Cunningham, aged 94, from Doon was laid to rest on Wednesday, March 27, after a life full of teaching, religion and GAA.

Br Dormer, in his eulogy, said Michael was a special person, both to his family and his second family of the Christian Brothers.

The Mass in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Ennis Road, was celebrated by Fr Des McAuliffe and concelebrated by Fr Joe Hayes, Fr Jimmy Donnelly, Fr Tom Carroll, Canon John Daly, Fr Tom Ryan and Fr Sean Sexton.

Born in Croughafoile, Doon, in 1934, Br Cunningham began his early education at the local Foilacleara National School and later continued his education at the Christian Brothers Primary and Secondary School, in Doon.

“In his early years at secondary school Michael decided he would like to become a Christian Brother. Seventy nine years ago he left home for the Christian Brothers Juniorate in Baldoyle, Dublin. A big move for a young boy in those days, in the middle of the last century, just after the second world war,” said Br Dormer.

His teaching career began in September 1949 at Blarney St CBS. He also taught at Christian Brother schools in Dun Laoghaire, Portlaoise, Templemore, Crumlin, and spent the last twenty years of his teaching career as principal of Midleton CBS Primary School.

He wrote a handbook for parents on many aspects of the primary school education curriculum, which is still in use today.

Br Cunningham officially “retired” in 1996 after 47 years. However, after moving to Ennis he began working in conjunction with the Sisters of Mercy with members of the Travelling community.

In 2010, Br Cunningham moved to his native Limerick, and took up residence at St Teresa’s, North Circular Road in the city,

“As can be seen by the condolence messages, Muiris was a committed teacher and had a passionate interest in Gaelic Games and during his time in Limerick he attended nearly every Harty Cup, Dean Ryan Cup, White Cup, (now Fr O’Dowd Cup) and Rice Cup games that Ardscoil Ris were involved in.

“His interest in GAA was acknowledged when in 2018, he was the recipient of a Sean Gael Award from the East Limerick GAA Board for his attendance and enthusiasm for GAA in Limerick,” said Br Dormer.

Br Cunningham took great pride in members of his family and relatives being involved in the GAA, whether it was a club officer, team mentor or referee, and in recent years it delighted him to see Limerick win Munster and All-Ireland hurling titles and relatives of his being members of the team panels.

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Great grandnephew, Barry Murphy, is a current member of the Limerick senior hurling panel; grandnephew, David Stapleton, won an All-Ireland Under 21 medal with Limerick in 2002 and played senior while grandnephew, Eamonn Stapleton, is a current inter-county referee.

These are just some of his relations who have been involved with Limerick, Doon and Oola GAA, both on and off the pitch.

Br Cunningham’s strong faith was the cornerstone of his life and was at Mass every weekday morning for the 9.30am rosary and Mass afterwards. In recent years when he was unsure of walking he even would drive the short distance to Mass.

Br Cunningham returned to his homeplace for the final time where he was laid to rest in Doon Cemetery. May he rest in peace.