Former Feis Ceoil president dies at 96

Mr Robert McCullagh, who has died at the age of 96, was president of the Feis Ceoil, a respected tenor and was secretary-manager…

Mr Robert McCullagh, who has died at the age of 96, was president of the Feis Ceoil, a respected tenor and was secretary-manager of St Patrick's Hospital, Dublin.

Born in Dublin, the son of a building contractor, Mr McCullagh began his singing career before the First World War. He sang with the St Ann's choir, Dawson Street, St Patrick's Cathedral choir and the Christ Church Cathedral choir.

From Howth Road National School he went to Skerries College to learn business skills. He first worked with the Great Northern Railway and then became secretary-manager at St Patrick's Hospital. He became fascinated with Jonathan Swift who founded the hospital and gave monthly lectures about Swift to patients.

His feis career spanned five years from 1928 to 1933. He won tenor solo in 1929 and took 11 runner-up positions. He was treasurer for over 20 years and was appointed president in the 1990s. Mr McCullagh also had a 60-year association with the Rathmines and Rathgar Musical Society.

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Mr McCullagh is survived by his wife Betty, daughters Joan and Meriel and sons Derek and Ian. Derek McCullagh is director-production in The Irish Times.