A mass will be held this Friday, February 21 in the memory of Fr. P.J. Brady, OFM, the former rector of Multyfarnham Agricultural College.

Fr. Brady passed away on December 16, 2024 in the Fatima home in Tralee, Co. Kerry. The mass held will take place in the Franciscan abbey, in Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath at 8:00p.m.

Born in the parish of Ballintra, Co. Donegal in 1951, Fr. Brady's family had close links with the nearby Franciscan friary in Rossnowlagh. He joined the Franciscan order in 1969 and celebrated his first profession the following year in Killarney, Co. Kerry.

After studying in University College Galway and in Rome, he was ordained into the priesthood in July 1977 in Balilintra, his home parish.

Fr. Brady's first appointment was to the fraternity in Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath, and he remained there until 1993.

He worked as a chaplain and teacher in the agricultural college and served as dean of the college from 1978 to 1989. He also served as guardian and rector from 1989 to 1993.

In a social media post Franciscans Ireland stated that Fr. Brady was held in high esteem by students and staff alike at Multyfarnham or 'Multi', as it is affectionately known by the locals.

He later served in the friaries in Co. Louth and Co. Limerick, and also held various posts in the Franciscans provincial office. In 2014 Fr. Brady was appointed to the friary in Killarney and though suffering from ill health, he continued his ministry "with kindness and dedication".

"With his quiet presence, gentle wit and distinctive deep laugh – PJ had a capacity for friendship and will be deeply missed by family, community and his numerous friends throughout Ireland and in Italy," the post stated.

Many of the former Multyfarnham students shared fond memories of spending their time with Fr. Brady at the college on rip.ie.