In The News

Funeral takes place of Fr Alec Reid

Funeral takes place of Fr Alec Reid

THE Funeral has taken place in Belfast of Fr. Alec Reid, who played a major role in brokering the peace process in Northern Ireland.

Fr. Reid, was a member of the Redemptorist Order, passed away in Dublin on November 22. The 82-year-old, who was from Nenagh in County Tipperary, had spent 40 years based at Clonard Monastery in the Falls area of Belfast.

He initially acted as a go-between to arrange talks involving the Republican movement and politicians, which formed the first steps to bringing about an end to the I.R.A.’s activities.

The Funeral Mass was held in Clonard Church in Belfast. Burial followed in Milltown Cemetery. To view the death notice for Fr. Reid, click here.

Among the hundreds of mourners were representatives from all the main political parties and churches. They were joined by former Irish President Mary McAleese.

The Archbishop of Armagh, Cardinal Sean Brady, was among the clergy attending.

Following the service Fr. Reid’s coffin was carried from the church by his four nephews.

An Ecumenical Service of Gratitude for the Priest’s life and ministry was held at the Church on Tuesday (November 26).

When the peace process eventually resulted in the I.R.A. decommissioning its weapons in 2005, Fr. Reid was entrusted to be one of the independent witnesses to the process. 

In recent years Fr. Reid had turned his peacemaking efforts to the Basque region of Spain.

To view an excerpt from the R.T.E. programme, The Secret Peacemaker, click here.

View previous In the News items: Former Manchester United footballer passes away, Belfast writer is honoured at Westminster Abbey, Tributes are paid to Nobel winning scientist Frederick Sanger, Broadcaster Ray Gosling passes away, Immunologist William Pollack passes away, Oldest person in UK passes away, Tributes are paid to former rugby star Steve Prescott, Hundreds attend the funeral of Eddie McGrady, Hundreds attend funeral of former RAF man, Former broadcaster John Cole passes away, Tributes are paid to pianist Bernard Roberts, Scottish singer Jack Alexander passes away, Jazz musician Frank Wess passes away, Actor Graham Stark passes away, Memorial is unveiled to hero priest, Actress Marcia Wallace passes away, Tributes are paid to Augusto Odone, Tributes are paid to jazzman Tommy Whittle, Singer Noel Harrison passes away, Former US politician Tom Foley passes away, Tributes are paid to actor Kumar Pallana, Character actor Ed Lauter passes away, Chemist Malcolm Renfrew passes away, Campaigner for child proof packaging passes away, Writer Oscar Hijuelos passes away, Former astronaut Scott Carpenter passes away, Veteran actor Paul Rogers passes away, Former Aussie criminal Chopper Read passes away, Tributes are paid to chemist Ruth Benerito, Photojournalist Bill Eppridge passes away, Tributes are paid to author Tom Clancy, Wolves football legend Peter Broadbent passes away, Tributes are paid to Australian author CJ Koch, Actress Jane Connell passes away, Photographer Harry Goodwin passes away, Tributes are paid to singer songwriter Jackie Lomax, Former car company chief Eiji Toyoda passes away, Tributes are paid to singer Joan Regan, Audio engineer Ray Dolby passes away, Tributes are paid to Susan Fitzgerald, Cancer remains the number one killer, Appeal to find grave in China, Broadcaster David Jacobs passes away, Funeral takes place of poet Seamus Heaney, Tributes are paid to broadcasting legend Sir David Frost, Former rugby international Cliff Morgan passes away, Tributes are paid to comedian Mike Winters, Actress Julie Harris passes away, Furniture designer Charles Pollock passes away, Tributes are paid to actor Lee Thompson Young or Dispute over burial plans for King Richard III continues

If you have a relative or a friend who has passed away and feel they should be mentioned in our In the News section, then please email us.