Fr John Molloy was born on 20th June 1936 at Birch Hall, Oughterard, Co. Galway. He was educated at Roscahill NS and St Mary’s College, Galway. His brother Michael was a legendary long-distance runner and John also loved to run.
He came to Dalgan in September 1955 and was ordained priest on 21st December 1961.
John was appointed to the Philippines and after language studies in Ozamis City served for the next fourteen years in various parishes in Mindanao.
He served in Mambajao (1963-1964), in Gingoog City (1964-1966) in Pagadian City (1966-1970), in Dinas (1971-1973), in Lanipao (1974-1976) and in Bonifacio (1976-1977).
In 1978, suffering from indifferent health, he was appointed to the Region of Ireland. He did occasional short supplies as his health permitted and was always willing to help out with confessions during the summer months at Knock Shrine.
His hobby was to care for the Dalgan woodlands and he also tended the gardens attached to St Columban’s Nursing Home.
A quiet and shy man, John suffered many periods in various hospitals in recent years. He bore all of these with great patience and resignation.
He died peacefully in St Columban’s Retirement Home on 21st February 2026.
May he rest in peace.
