Dominican priest Finian Lynch celebrates his 100th birthday

In recent years this blog publishes obits on the deaths of Dominicans and former Dominicans, if their death  is brought to the attention of the

Finian Denis Lynch OP

blog writer.

But today is a special day in the Irish Dominican Province as a member of the province reaches the noble age of 100.

On Thursday, October 7, 1926 Denis Lynch was born on Valentia Island in Co Kerry. 

Up until approximately two years ago Finian was living in the Dominican Priory on Pope's Quay in Cork; he is currently in a nursing home in the city.

He made his first profession in the Dominicans in 1947, when he was given the name Finian, and was ordained a priest on July 13, 1952.

He was a much sought after man in the province, was prior in many communities, assistant to Flannan Hynes during his time as provincial, provincial bursar. 

In middle age he went to South America and worked in Argentina, where he worked for a number of years.

He is a man who  often comes up in conversation over the years; I've often heard wonderful funny stories about him. Obviously he has a great sense of humour. There's a famous story about black paint, unfortunately I do not have all the details. He has a lovely gentle smile. But that does not mean that people always agree with him.

He lived through significant changes in the church and had little or no difficulty moving with the times.

Surely the province must raise a toast today to our centenarian from Valentia Island in Co. Kerry.

Congratulations Finian, well done and thank you.