Tributes are paid to Canon Conway (93) who died peacefully

Tributes are paid to Canon Conway (93) who died peacefully

12 February 2025

TRIBUTES have been paid to Canon Noel Conway, the former parish priest of Kilclief and Strangford, who died last week.

Canon Conway, who was 93, passed away peacefully in Nazareth Care Village, Belfast, on Tuesday after a lifetime of dedicated service to the church and to education.

Canon Conway was educated St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School in Belfast before entering St Malachy’s College, also in Belfast, as a seminarian and later Queen’s University.

He took a science degree, specialising in physics, and then studied theology at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.

Ordained to the priesthood in 1957, he spent the greater part of his career as a teacher in St. Malachy’s College, Belfast.

In 1983 he succeeded Bishop Patrick Walsh as president of St Malachy’s College. One of his most significant achievements was to preserve the O’Laverty collections of historical papers and books that today forms an important resource for the wider history of Belfast.

He served as president until 1994 and after recuperation from illness was, in 1995, appointed parish priest of Kilclief and Strangford where he was hugely respected and much loved.

Canon Conway was the youngest brother of the late Cardinal William Conway, the former Archbishop of Armagh and All-Ireland Primate.

Another brother, Canon Joseph Conway, also taught at St. Malachy’s College and was the founding president of the then St. Patrick’s College, Knock.

The principal of St Malachy’s College, Mr Paul McBride, said that the school was “very saddened” by the news of Canon Conway’s passing.

“Canon Conway had many years of distinguished service in the college, firstly as a teacher and then as president,” he said.

“His work here not only built on our great traditions and values, but secured a firm foundation for our success since his retirement.

“When living in Co Down, he continued to take a deep interest in college life, occasionally visiting us for public and celebratory events. May he rest in peace.”

St Joseph’s Primary School in Strangford said in a Facebook post: “As a school community we are deeply saddened to learn of the death of our much loved former Parish Priest, Canon Conway. We have very fond memories of his time spent here in our school. May he rest in peace.”

St Brigid’s Primary School in Downpatrick, where Canon Conway served as chaplain and was a member of the board of governors, also paid tribute, describing “the gift of kindness and wisdom” that he brought to the school.

Requiem mass for Canon Conway was held in Stella Maris Church, Strangford, on Saturday morning. Among the clergy taking part were Bishop Alan McGuckian, Canon John Murray,  Fr Aidan Brankin, Fr Eugene O’Hagan and Deacon Jackie Breen.

Following the mass Canon Conway was laid to rest in St Malachy’s Cemetery, Kilclief.