Tributes have been paid to Co Down priest and former president of St Malachy’s College in Belfast, Canon Noel Conway, following his death this week.
The former parish priest of Strangford and Kilclief passed away “peacefully” in Nazareth Care Village in south Belfast on Tuesday.
Canon Conway was ordained as a priest in 1957 and spent the majority of his priestly career teaching at St Malachy’s College in Belfast.
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In 1983 he succeeded Bishop Patrick Walsh as president of the north Belfast grammar school.
He served as president until 1994 and then after recuperation from illness was, in 1995, appointed parish priest of Strangford in Co Down.
One of his most significant achievements was to preserve the college’s O’Laverty collections of historical papers and books that today forms an important resource for the wider history of Belfast.
Principal Paul McBride said that the school was “very saddened” by the news of his passing.
We ask for your prayers for the Family and Friends of Canon Noel Conway, who died peacefully at Nazareth Lodge overnight. May He Rest In Peace. Funeral arrangements to follow.
Posted by Downpatrick Parish on Wednesday 5 February 2025
“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 Brigid’s Primary School in Downpatrick, where Canon Conway later served as chaplaincy and member of the Board of Governors, also paid tribute to the late priest, describing “the gift of kindness and wisdom” that he brought to the school.
Social media tributes described him as a “true gentlemen and neighbour” and a “highly respected” priest who worked “tirelessly for his parishioners”.
Canon Conway was the youngest of three brothers who became priests in the Diocese of Down and Connor.
The eldest was Cardinal William Conway, then Canon Joseph Conway who also taught at St. Malachy’s College and who in 1967, was appointed the founding president of the then St. Patrick’s College, Knock.
A funeral notice said Canon Conway’s death was “very deeply regretted by his sorrowing nieces and nephews” as well as “the Bishop, Clergy and lay faithful of the Diocese of Down and Connor.”
Canon Conway will repose in O’Kanes Funeral Home on Donegall Street in Belfast until Friday, when his remains will be received for the Liturgy of Reception in Stella Maris Church, Strangford, at 5.30pm.
Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 11am, followed by interment in St Malachy’s Cemetery, Kilclief.
