Popular historian Stephen McNeill to be laid to rest on Thursday

The sudden death of Offaly Historical & Archaeological Society President Stephen McNeill has caused shock and sadness throughout the county today.

Tributes were paid to the immensely popular historian on Offaly History’s Facebook page this morning.

The society said: “We are sorry to convey the news of the death of our President, Stephen McNeill, who died suddenly this morning 9 May. Stephen’s life was marked with enthusiasm and energy for his many projects. Above all else he was a devout Catholic, family man, a historian and so much more.Our sympathies to his wife Celestine, his children and his extended family of friends and correspondents around the world.”    

Local historian Michael Byrne described Mr McNeill’s death as a huge loss and said “we will miss him terribly.”

Mr McNeill was well known in Tullamore and had been living in the town since 1982. He was active in many areas. In the 1980s and 1990s he played rugby until the club could no longer get insurance for him when he reached 56. He took a very active role in local and family history and was chairman of the Offaly Historical & Archaeological Society from 1999.

His time as president coincided with his retirement from the bank. In fact it was another job, as he was the face of the society meeting those who came to its lectures and always on hand to welcome them. Only once did he miss a meeting and that was a few months ago when he had a health issue.

Mr McNeill came to Tullamore as a staff member of the Bank of Ireland. He joined the bank in the 1960s and had postings in Dublin, Navan, Crossmaglen and Mullingar. He married Celestine (nee Cuffe) and is survived by her and eight children. A great family man he was also a devout Catholic and was very much involved in the liturgy and generally attended to the rota of lay readers for the weekend masses.

He was a regular lecturer in local history and would travel around the county to events. He was greatly supportive of those involved in research who wanted to publish their findings. His lectures took him as far away as New York, which he generally visited once a year to speak and meet people interested in family history. Mr McNeill was also a juryman at inquests and was a keen committee member of the Friends of the Hospital.

Mr McNeill’s funeral arrangements were announced this afternoon. He will be reposing at his home at Collins Lane, Tullamore from 4pm to 8pm on Wednesday. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at the Church of the Assumption in Tullamore on Thursday at 12 noon with burial afterwards in St Mary’s Cemetery, Navan at 3pm.

Mr McNeill is predeceased by his son Philip, daughter Marie-Louise and brother Martin. He is survived by his loving wife Celestine, sons Brian, Dermot, Stiofan, David and Ciaran, daughters Sinead, Eimear and Catriona, sons in law, daughters in law, grandchildren, Hannah, Ciara, Conor, Liadh, Priya, Aaron and Jack. brothers Dermot and Liam, sisters Maureen and Mairead.