Dr Joseph Cunnane, the former Archbishop of Tuam, died yesterday in Tuam, aged 88. He was born in Knock, Co Mayo in 1913. Ordained to the priesthood in 1939, Dr Cunnane joined the staff of St Jarlath's College, Tuam, where he taught Irish until 1958. Between 1958 and 1969, when he was appointed archbishop, he served as a curate in Balla, Co Mayo, and later in Clifden, Co Galway.
Dr Joseph Cassidy, who succeeded Dr Cunnane as Archbishop of Tuam on his retirement in July 1987, last night described him as a bishop who was very familiar with the documents of the Vatican Council: "In the spirit of Vatican II he lived out his role as bishop in areas such as the reform of the liturgy and in the relations he developed with priests and people."
Dr Cunnane's remains will be brought to the Cathedral of the Assumption, Tuam, today at 8 p.m. for evening prayer. He will be buried in the cathedral grounds on Sunday after solemn requiem Mass at 2.30 p.m.