Funeral today of first TCD Catholic chaplain

The first Catholic priest to serve as a chaplain at Trinity College, Dublin, Father Brendan Heffernan (71), will be buried today in Portmarnock, Co Dublin, where he was parish priest. He died at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, after a short illness.

Father Heffernan was appointed chaplain at TCD in November 1970 by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid. He had been chaplain at University College, Dublin, from July 1963 until then, and was chaplain at TCD until July 1978.

The Church of Ireland rector of Howth, Canon Cecil Hyland, who was also a chaplain at TCD during Father Heffernan's period there, described him as "a lovely man, a gentle person, and a tremendous pastor in the college". He said he introduced the idea of chaplains being available during exams, and "was very much respected by the staff".

During Father Heffernan's tenure the practice of celebrating daily Mass at the college's inter-denominational chapel was also begun. "He was an excellent appointment as the first chaplain. There were no problems afterwards," Canon Hyland said.

Father Heffernan, who was parish priest in St Anne's, Portmarnock, since 1986, had also served in Ballyfermot, North William Street, and Foxrock. He will buried today at Portmarnock following 11 a.m. Requiem Mass.