Co Longford priest to receive honour for contribution in Rome

Plans are at an advanced stage to honour the contribution of a little known Lanesboro priest who travelled from his community to Rome in the 1800s and went on to become one of the best acknowledged archaeologists in this holy city.

Fr Joseph Mullooly was born in Lanesboro, County Longford, the son of Gilbert Mullooly, a farmer and his wife Brigid. In 1840 along with a testimonial letter, signed by his parish priest, Joseph left Ireland for Italy. A year later, on September 7 1841 Joseph took the Dominican Habit at La Quercia, taking his first vows in September 1842.

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Some time after becoming a priest he was sent to San Clemente, Rome and in 1850 was appointed Superior of San Clemente.
In the late summer and autumn of 1857 Fr Mullooly made the first discoveries that led to the series of excavations, under the church, for which he was responsible over the next 12 years.

When the papal commission ceased excavations, Fr Mullooly decided to continue them alone, raising the necessary funds himself and discovering the fresco of Pope Clement I. Fr Mullooly died in June 1880 and in 1912 his remains were removed from the Campo Verano cemetery and now rest in a vault in front of the altar in the excavated church.

Fr Mullooly subsequently went on to carry out excavations at the world renowned St Clemente Basilica in the heart of Rome, 5 minutes from the Colosseum and plans are now at an advanced stage for the European Parliament and the Irish State to recognise his contribution in a special ceremony on Friday, September 12. For further details on the event in Rome please contact ciaran.mullooly@europarl.europa.eu

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Before that date a special event will take place in St Mary's Church, Lanesboro at 3pm on Sunday, August 17 when Fr Paul Lawlor OP of the Dominicans will visit from Rome and present a special historical guide to the significant achievements of Fr Mullooly during his term in Rome. This event on Sunday August 17 is an open public event and all are welcome.