Sad passing of Irish teacher and long-standing ‘Journal’ columnist Liam Mac Lochlainn

Liam died at the Foyle Hospice on Saturday, January 14, surrounded by his family.

The committed gaeilgeoir had contributed to the Derry Journal over many, many years.

Brendan McDaid, Derry Journal editor said: "It is with deep sadness and a real sense of loss that we have learned of Liam's passing.

"Liam was not only our long-standing Irish columnist and the author of the weekly Irish lessons, which he continued right up until recent weeks, but he was also a friend to us here in the ‘Journal’, someone who would call in to the office regularly for a chat.

"He was a fantastic writer and his passion for the Irish language and for teaching others extended well beyond his teaching years, meeting regularly with others to converse in Irish in the local library and through the popular Irish lessons for beginners he initiated in the ‘Journal’ during lockdown.

"He never lost that passion and was indeed, in every way a gentleman and a scholar. Our thoughts are very much with Liam's family and friends at this time."

His An Bhfuil Gaeilge Agat? (Do you have Irish?) column was a staple of the paper with his last piece Scéal na Nollag (The Christmas Story) appearing on December 16.

In recent years his Gaeilge agus Fáilte (Welcome to Irish) series was popular with those learning the language.

Liam taught Irish to generations of young men at St. Columb’s College where he worked as a teacher.

Liam is mourned by his wife Irene, children Carol Anne, Catherine, Neil, Michael and David, children-in-law Conor, Niamh and Siobhan, grandchildren Lewis, Aoife, Callum, Leah, Ciara, Molly and Naoise and siblings John and Anne. He was predeceased by his later brothers James and Gerald.

His remains will leave his home at 53 Belvoir Park on Thursday, January 19 at 1.30 pm for a prayer service in W J O’Brien & Son’s Funeral Home at 110 Clooney Road, Eglinton, at 2pm.

His Requiem Mass and interment will take place in Glasgow at a later date.