I heard of the death of Fr Ronan Drury with great sadness. Even though I had known him since my days as a student in Maynooth in the nineteen sixties, it was only in more recent years that I got to know him fairly well and to appreciate his great qualities. He had been Professor of Homiletics (Preaching) in Maynooth. He was also editor of the widely read pastoral journal, The Furrow, up to the time of his death, a position he inherited from the founding editor, Canon J.G. McGarry in 1977.
Though a native of Mullagh in the diocese of Kilmore, Fr Ronan was a priest of the diocese of Meath. This is explained by the fact that he had received his secondary education in St Finian’s College, Mullingar. Apparently the scholarships to the Diocesan College were more generous in Meath than in Kilmore! He never forgot his home town and returned often to visit and take part in important occasions. He came faithfully each year to celebrate the Christmas Mass. He did this, uninterrupted, for an incredible 68 years. The parishioners of Mullagh will miss this Christmas tradition which goes back further than even most older people can remember.
Fr Ronan was a warm and witty, genial in company and extremely generous. He had a wonderful way with words and was gifted preacher. He was thorough in his preparation and accomplished in delivery. He was a great raconteur and very quick on the riposte when the occasion presented itself. On one occasion when we were exchanging banter in company I reproached him for having deserted Kilmore diocese for Meath, he replied in a flash and with a mischievous smile, “You could have had me for a fiver!”
His stewardship of the Furrow for 40 years was admirable. As a pastoral review it never failed to be topical, was sometimes prophetic, frequently provocative but always interesting and stimulating. He managed to attract a great variety of contributors from far and near, and encouraged many a hesitant author to take up the pen. He was always guided by the Furrow’s motto, taken from the prophet Jeremiah, ‘to plough a new furrow’, to be at the cutting edge of pastoral reality, and to help his readers to recognise and engage with that reality as they endeavoured to sow the seed of the Gospel in the soil of the world today.
Fr Drury was a great man and a much loved priest. He will be sorely missed by family, friends and colleagues alike. May he rest in peace.

26 November 2017