FR KIERAN DEVLIN:FR KIERAN Devlin, known in Irish as An tAthair Ciarán Ó Doibhlin, who has died suddenly, was an outstanding scholar of medieval history, particularly of Ulster.
He carried out research on saints Patrick and Columba (or Colmcille). He accomplished important work on the origins of ecclesiastical placenames in Derry diocese. He had the gift of questioning accepted wisdom. Thus he did not accept there was such a race as “Celts” who conquered Ireland. He frequently expressed frustration with the attitude that Irish history started with the Plantation of Ulster.
His knowledge of Latin and old Irish enabled him to read the original medieval sources in those languages. He carried out most of his research while in parish ministry. He regularly worked on history from about 10.30pm until about 4am – the only period he was guaranteed to be undisturbed.
After retiring from parish ministry, he became archivist of Derry diocese. He had an ability to unearth material, and compiled an index of the clergy of the diocese up to the end of the 16th century. Two weeks before his death, his book, The Making of medieval Derry, went to the publishers.
He was also a scholar of French. He taught this for 10 years in St Columb’s College, Derry. At the time of his death, he was chaplain to the college.
He was a knowledgeable moral theologian. As such he liked to provoke discussion and push boundaries. Another area of his work was Accord, the Catholic marriage advisory body. He was known as approachable, a great listener and had an ability to draw people out. Thus he was much respected among his fellow priests.
He suffered permanent ill-health due to a spinal injury in a car crash when he was 14. This resulted in his spending six months in hospital. He did not allow it to restrict his life, or produce a shred of self-pity.
Fr Devlin was born in Rouskey, Co Tyrone, on January 1938, the third child to James Devlin, a primary school teacher, and his wife Sarah (née Doherty). His father was a native of the area. His mother was from Mayo. James Devlin died when Fr Devlin was young and the family moved to Mountfield. He received his education at local primary schools, then at St Columb’s College. From there he went to Maynooth, taking a degree in French and Irish.
Bhí an Ghaeilge sa dúchas aige. Bhí sé ag fás aníos go díreach agus gríosach na Gaeilge ag fáil bháis ina áit dúchas: b’as ceantar a bhí ina Ghaeltacht ina h-óige dá máthair. Bhíodh sé ag teagasc i gColáiste Bríde, Rann na Feirste, ar feadh na mblianta. Bhí sé ar na sagairt a léadh Aifreann Gaeilge achan Domhnach i nDoire.
He is survived by his sister, Carmel (McMahon), and brother, Msgr Brendan. He was predeceased by his brother Colm.
Fr Kieran Devlin/An tAthair Ciarán Ó Doibhlin: born January 4th, 1938; died August 21st, 2012