Death of popular Mayo musician and composer Philip Dunlop

The death of Philip Dunlop, Hawthorn Lodge, Castlebar, is widely mourned.

He died peacefully in the wonderful care of the staff at Cuan Chaitriona Nursing Home, Castlebar.

He will be sadly missed by his wife Anna, sons James (Turlough) and Sam (Seoul), daughters Gráinne (Bangkok) and Agatha (Chester), grandchildren Laura, Niamh, Sarah, Méabh, Finlay, Alex, Angus and George, son-in-law Ian, daughters-in-law, Maria and ji Hyun, his brothers Charles (Montreal) and Bede (Oxford), nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends, to whom sympathy is tendered.

Philip was predeceased by his parents, Colin and Mary, nee O’Malley, and his brother Francis (Norwich).

After a career as a Classics teacher in Repton, Derbyshire and Manchester, Philip and his wife Anna Maria took early retirement and moved over to Castlebar in 1992 to renovate and make a home in Hawthorn Lodge, once home to the family of Philip’s mother, Mary O’Malley.

Hawthorn Lodge would be well known to generations of musicians who visited the house over the years to sit music exams, many with Philip accompanying them.

Philip had several musical strings to his bow including conductor for the Castlebar Town Band, founder of The Mayo Strings, accompanist to Cill Aodain Choral Society, as well as composing numerous pieces including Pride of Castlebar.

Remains will repose in Kilcoyne’s Funeral Home, Thomas Street, Castlebar, on Tuesday from 6 to 7.30 p.m.

Funeral Mass takes place at the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, followed by cremation in Shannon Crematorium.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.