20/02/2025
On the 24th of this month it will be 100 years since the death of one of the most influential priest of Lurgan Rev Michael McConville,
(Monsignor McConville), later ( Dean McConville)
born at Ardarragh, Newry in 1847 worst year of famine.
He was appointed Parish Priest Shankill, on the 24th August 1897.Within a few years of his appointment St, Peter’s church spire, bell and façade were completed.
Being born in the worst year of the famine, Fr McConville had a special understanding and a calling to caring for the vulnerable with a chief interests in the welfare of neglected and orphaned children, he travelled abroad to raise funds to feed and clothe them, he opened a school to educate them and he gave them hope.
In 1905, a temporary boy’s industrial school was opened in 81 William Street. Two years later the property known as Irishtown House was purchased as a permanent boy’s industrial school and was built at Cornakinegar.
The Boy’s Industrial school would be known as St Michael’s. Or Mount Saint Michaels in honour of the Very Reverend Michael McConville and was opened as a Boys Industrial School on the 26th June 1908.
In 1915 Rev Michael McConville was appointed Vicar General of the diocese.
In 1922, on the occasion of his sacerdotal golden jubilee, his parishioner’s generosity were turned to have the High Altar erected as a lasting tribute to his people’s appreciation of his work in the parish., the High Altar was installed, the Sanctuary was embellished by a very beautiful array of mosaics, and a marble Communion Rail erected in memory of the Catholic dead of Lurgan and District who lost their lives during the Great War of 1914-18.
Known for his strong national sentiments as a patriotic Irishman, something he openly expressed at every given opportunity.
Monsignor Mc Conville died on the 24th February 1925 at the age of 77, in all he spent 47 years in Lurgan his remains are interred in the Dougher and at his request, any children orphaned who died in the parish were to be buried with him, ten were. A great article on Fr Michael McConville can be found in the recent local history book Heart of the Montiaghs
