Fr Jim Forristal, St Canice’s Parish, Kilkenny, died peacefully at the home of his sister Alice Mahony, Kellsgrange on Sunday, October 3 2010 at the age of 66 years.
Fr Forristal, a priest of the Diocese of Ossory, was a native of Dunnamaggin parish, Co Kilkenny and, with the exception of one year abroad, spent his entire ministry in his native county.
Born in November 1943, he attended Dunnamaggin National School before going to St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny, for his secondary education.
Following his studies for the priesthood in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Fr Forristal was ordained by Bishop Peter Birch on June 15 1969.
His first appointment was to the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle in England where he served until he came back to the staff of St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny, in September 1970. The following year he returned to St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, to complete a higher diploma in education. He was then transferred to St Brigid’s Secondary School, Callan, Co Kilkenny, to become spiritual director to the students and chaplain to the Sisters of Mercy, a position he held during the following two decades.
In August 1992 Fr Forristal became spiritual director to the seminarians at St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny. He held this post until the seminary closed in 1994 whereupon he was appointed chaplain at Kilcreene Hospital and Aut Even Hospital, Kilkenny. His final appointment was to St Canice’s parish, Kilkenny where he became curate in November 2005.
Fr Jim is survived by his sisters Alice Mahony, Kells, and Maudie O’Neill, Dunnamaggin, and his brothers Richard, Dunnamaggin, and Tom, Dublin, his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, and many friends.
Concelebrated Requiem Mass took place at St Canice’s Church at midday on Tuesday, October 5 and interment afterwards in the Forristal family plot in the Old Cemetery, Dunnamaggin. May he rest in peace.
