Cullohill priest who left a lasting legacy in Laois passes away

There was deep sadness around Laois, in particular Camross, Borris-in-Ossory and Cullohill, at the passing of Rev Canon Laurence 'Lar' Dunphy in his 90th year.

The retired Parish Priest passed away on February 9 in the care of the staff of the Sacred Heart Nursing Home Crosspatrick.

Ordained in 1961, the native of Bunlacken, Cullohill, served Ossory parishioners in Laois and Kilkenny until his retirement.

He was Borris-in-Ossory / Killasmeestia parish curate from 1962 until 1964, when he was transferred to Camross. In 1977, he was transferred as Administrator to St John's Parish, Kilkenny, and, in 1986, was appointed as Parish Priest of Glenmore parish.

In 1993, he was appointed as Parish Priest of Urlingford and Graine, where he ministered until his retirement.

Apart from his religious duties, he was active in the GAA in both counties. He made a major contribution to Gaelic games in Camross, where, apart from his involvement in hurling, he helped found the Camogie club, which reached the promised land in 2025 by winning an All-Ireland Club final in Croke Park.

Another vital contribution to Camross was his role in setting up the Comhaltas branch. Since its founding in 1974, the branch has brought traditional music and culture to every home in the community leading to national success at the Fleadh Cheoil.

He returned to Camross in 2014 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its founding. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Celebrating Camross Comhaltas 40th in 2024 were: (front) M. Delaney, Fr. Lar Dunphy; (back) M. Higgins, P. Collier, P Redmond, B. Culleton, L. Culleton. Pic: Kevin Byrne

Camross man Pat Delaney recalls 'Fr Lar' as a man whose hurling was in his blood. He recalls that during his time in Camross, he trained in Brennan’s field up Clonin Hill.

Mr Delaney said the young curate got to know every player in the training ground, following the games around the county with Camross players holding him in great respect. Pat recalled meetings with Cullohill and Durrow as "great entertainment”.

Mr Delaney also recounted the pride the reverend had in 1976 when Camross were crowned Leinster Champions.

“The Reverend said it was his proudest moment, having lowered the colours of a Kilkenny club,” said Pat of the man who always kept in touch with Camross after departing the community to take up appointments in Kilkenny.

Many tributes were paid to the priest on RIP.ie

“He sure did leave a legacy in the village (Camross),” Brendan and Deirdre Bredin, Mountrath.

Joe and Breda Doran from Camross also extended their condolences.

"He was a great servant to Camross Parish & spearheaded many organisations. He was very involved with the GAA and used to pack his green Triumph Herald with juveniles going to matches. He never left anyone behind. He founded our Camogie Club and the Comhaltas," they said.

Alice Dowling also paid tribute from Camross.

"He will be remembered by many with great fondness for starting a Camogie Club in the 1960s for the young girls in the Parish of Camross. It couldn’t have been an easy task at the time, but he persevered. He was our trainer and mentor back then and sixty years on, the Camogie Club is still going strong," she wrote.

Ollie and Hannah Cuddy from Camross also had praise.

"We had the pleasure of knowing him during his years in Camross Parish, where he gave so much of his time and energy to the hurling and camogie teams and particularly to the fundraising for the construction of the new Church," they said.

The were a poignant farewell from Mary Martin, who also hails from Canon Dunphy's homeplace of Bunlacken.

"An old neighbour and friend to our family over the years. My sincere condolences to his wonderful family and friends…he will get a great welcome home from all his sisters and brothers. Rest in peace, Fr Larry," she said.

Rev Dunphy was predeceased by his brothers Liam, Jim, Mick, Paddy, John and Kieran, his sisters Sheila, Mary, Kathleen, Nancy and Agnes.

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He is deeply regretted by his 42 nieces and nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, sisters-in-law Annette, Marette, Breeda and Mary, cousins, extended family, his many friends and parishioners and the priests of the Diocese of Ossory.

His remains reposed in St Patrick's Church, Graine, on February 11 and the Church of the Assumption, Urlingford, on Thursday, February 12.

Requiem Mass was celebrated in Urlingford with interment in the adjoining Churchyard.