By Dan Walsh
The death has occurred of Very Rev. Canon Seamus S de Vál, affectionately known as Fr. Wall, retired teacher, priest, historian and friend to all who made his acquaintance, who lived in retirement at Irish Street in his native Bunclody. He was aged 97 years.
Fr. Wall retired from his position as Parish Priest of Oulart in 1997 and moved back to Bunclody where he has lived for the last 26 years. He was involved in the Bunclody parish regularly saying Mass in the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, and often doing holiday cover for his brother priests throughout the diocese. On occasions he would celebrate Mass ‘as Gaeilge’.
Paying tribute on behalf of the community, Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy told WexfordLocal.com today; “Fr Wall wrote ‘Bun Clóidí A history of the district’ published in 1966. ‘Father Wall’s book’, as it is often referred to, is regularly consulted in many homes as a source of accurate historical information in the locality.
“Fr Wall was much loved and appreciated by the local people in Bunclody. His quick wit, sense of fun and general good humour will be greatly missed by his many friends in the parish and beyond,” concluded Cllr Murphy.
At dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Ní beidh a leithéid arís ann.
Séamus S. de Val was born in Bunclody in 1926, son of Annie Wall (née Sheridan) and John Wall, who was a noted footballer and figured on the record-breaking Wexford teams of the 1916-1918 era.
Educated at Bunclody Boy’s National School, he studied at St. Peter’s College, Wexford (1932-1943), St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth (1943-1950) and University College Dublin (1950-1951) where he received a Higher Diploma in Education and he was ordained to the priesthood at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, on June 18th, 1950.
Canon de Vál was on the teaching staff of St. Peter’s College from 1951 and served as President from 1973 to 1976 when he was appointed parish priest of Oulart. He retired in 1997.
He was a well-known Irish language and history enthusiast and edited and contributed many works. He was editor of The Past, dubbed “The Organ of the Ui Ceinnsealaigh Historical Society since 1970. He was appointed to An Coimisiún Logainmneacha (The Placenames Commission) in 1981 and was appointed to the Diocesan of Ferns Archives in 1997.
He had a long association with the Legion of Mary having been appointed spiritual director of South Ferns Curia in 1961, and from 1992 was spiritual director of North Ferns Curia.
FAMILY NOTICE; The death has occurred of Very Reverend Canon Seamus de Val (Wall), Irish Street, Bunclody, Retired Parish Priest of Oulart and retired President of St. Peter’s College, Wexford. Sadly missed by his relatives, Bishop Ger Nash DD, the priests of the Diocese of Ferns and a wide circle of friends. His fond sister Lucy and her husband Nicholas predeceased him. May Canon Seamus’s gentle soul Rest In Peace
Reposing at Church of The Most Holy Trinity, Bunclody from 12pm on Saturday, September 16th with lead prayers at 3pm. Funeral Mass on Sunday at 2pm with live streaming. Burial afterwards in Calvary Cemetery, Bunclody.
WexfordLocal.com 