Deceased
Parish Of Birth
Schull
Colleges Attended
St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth Co Kildare, Ireland
Details Of Ordination
Church of the Ascension, Gurranabraher, Cork.
4/6/1955
Appointments
Carraig na bhfear PP : 7/9/1985 – 24/2/1994
The Lough CC : 14/9/1981 – 7/9/1985
Cathedral CC : 25/8/1973 – 14/9/1981
Dunmanway CC : 24/1/1970 – 25/8/1973
Diocesan Inspector Cork : 1/9/1964 – 24/1/1970
Inchigeela CC : 1/9/1962 – 14/8/1964
Chaplain, Vocational Schools : 5/10/1957 – 1/9/1962
Clontead AP : 5/10/1957 – 1/9/1962
Ministry Abroad/ Birmingham : 1955 – 1957
Date Of Death
23/2/1994
Place Of Death
Cork Regional Hospital (C.U.H), Cork
Place Of Burial
The Church Immaculate Conception Grounds, Carraig na bhFear, Co. Cork
Obituary
On the 24th of February, the sad news began to spread throughout the dioceses that Fr. Vincent Daly had died unexpectedly the night before. I found it hard to accept as I had been speaking to him on the day of his death and he seemed to be in good form. His death ended a friendship lasting nearly 35 years.
Fr. Michael Cleary, C.M., one-time spiritual director in Maynooth, used to say that a priest should aim at being “a saint, a scholar and a gentleman”. In his priesthood, Vincent tried to follow that advice. Few, however, in his lifetime would have the courage to say this to his face.
He was a man of many talents, and shared these generously with the dioceses and with his people. As a student in Maynooth, his musical talents were recognised when he was appointed Senior Cantor. Later on, at Stations, and clerical gatherings, he would encourage sing-songs while he accompanied on the piano.
He loved a good Munster Final or an All-Ireland, especially if Cork was playing. While never aspiring to a single handicap in golf, he liked the companionship, the fresh air and exercise, and the ‘switch off’ from life’s problems which are part of the game.
Above all, in his priesthood, Vincent tried to follow the example of His Lord – lending a helping hand to those in need; a listening ear to those who were troubled; a word of wisdom and hope to the despairing. The many tributes paid to him in the FOLD after his death are proof of this.
Finally, the words written by him on New Years Day, 1988, give us a glimpse of his attitude towards his vocation to the priesthood, and his attitude to those whom he served:
“I thank God for my health and I realise that each day I depend on Him for every movement of my body, and I pray that I may continue in good health. I thank God for my people, I love them and I feel humble in serving them. They have shown me by their lives and their faith how to live – decently, honourably and simply in God?s grace. I thank God for my friends and my family, and I hope we shall always be true to one another in love and support.
I hope I shall live in God’s grace and die in His grace. Life is good to me, and I pray that I shall be worthy of God’s protection. My priesthood means everything to me and I feel happy and peaceful today”.
May God console his relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.
-Gerard Collins, P.P.
[Published in the Cork and Ross Diocesan Directory 1995.]