Fr Val Hynes, SMA, died peacefully in the St Theresa’s Nursing Unit at the SMA House, African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork, Ireland on Friday afternoon, 15 March 2024. He was 78 years of age and had been in failing health for some years. Ar dheis lámh Dé go raibh a anam dhÃlis.
Val Hynes was born in the Parish of Ballintubber, Archdiocese of Tuam, on 18 September 1945, one of eight children born to John and Mary Ellen [née Barnicle]. He was educated in the local National School and the SMA Secondary school: Sacred Heart College, Ballinafad, Belcarra, Co Mayo. He then entered the Society of African Missions in Cloughballymore, Kilcolgan, Co Galway, to train for the missionary priesthood. He was ordained a priest on 16 December 1970. Arriving in Western Nigeria in 1971, he was to spend the next 42 years working in the Diocese of Ondo and the Archdiocese of Lagos.
Fr Val returned to Ireland in 2013, and joined the SMA community in the SMA Zimmermann House, Cloonbigeen, Claregalway, Co Galway, which gave him the opportunity to help out in neighbouring parishes as well as in his home parish at Ballintubber. It is there, alongside his late parents and other family members, that Fr Val will be laid to rest on Tuesday, 19 March. In 2021, Fr Val transferred to the SMA Motherhouse at Blackrock Road, Cork. Until recent months, he participated in the daily community exercises.
In his youth, Val was a member of the Ballintubber CLG and played at different age levels for the Club. He also served as Club President for some years, an honour he was immensely proud of.Â
Fr Val was predeceased by his parents, his sisters Rose O’Gorman and Frances O’Reilly and three of his brothers, Patsy, David and Jimmy. His sister Bridie O’Toole and brother Noel as well as a large number of other relatives survive him.
Fr Val will repose in the Ballintubber Resource Centre from 5pm to 7pm on Monday, 18 March, after which his remains will be brought to Ballintubber Abbey. His Funeral Mass will take place at 2pm on Tuesday, 19 March, followed by burial in the Abbey cemetery.
For those who cannot attend, View Fr Val’s Funeral Mass here.
Solas na bhflaitheas agus leaba i measc na naomh duit, a Athair Val.