Brother Kevin remembered for his kindness, funeral hears

The funeral of Brother Kevin Crowley, the founder of the Capuchin Day Centre who died earlier this week at the age of 90, has taken place.

Traffic restrictions are in place in Dublin city centre following the funeral Mass which began at 11am.

The Mass was celebrated by Brother Richard Hendrick, Provincial Minister of the Irish Capuchin Franciscan Friars.

It began with the hymn Here I am Lord.

The Homily led by Brother Patrick Flynn heard that Brother Kevin was the kind of man who did not see problems, he only saw challenges.

He said he was a deeply religious man who would be remembered for his generosity and his kindness.

Brother Kevin was remembered as a Capuchin to his fingertips whose mission in life was to feed the hungry and the poor.

He was immersed in the Capuchin way of life and he received many honours, including the Freedom of Dublin, but he never took any of those too seriously.

Watch: Mourners remember Brother Kevin Crowley

He had a gift for spotting people in distress and taking them under his wing.

Prayers of Intercession were said for Brother Kevin's family and his parents, while his brothers and sister Seán, Donie, Jerry and Eileen were remembered.

Thanks were given to the Fraternity of Holy Trinity Friary, Cork and the staff at Mount Desert Nursing Home who had cared for him in his final days.

Applause and people lining the streets as the funeral Mass of Brother Kevin Crowley concludes on Church Street in Dublin @rtenews - it will now pass the Capuchin Day Centre pic.twitter.com/Y7JrbW6fGR

— Eleanor Burnhill (@ElMcM) July 5, 2025

There was also a hope expressed that more young people would be inspired to follow brother Kevin’s path as a Capuchin Franciscan Friar.

Prayers were said for the staff, volunteers and guests of the Capuchin Day Centre in the hope that his spirit of service, compassion and kindness would live on.

It was noted during the Mass that there would be a two minute silence at the Cork-Dublin All Ireland hurling semi-final this afternoon at Croke Park.

The funeral procession of Brother Kevin Crowley passing by the Capuchin Day Centre this lunchtime. He will be buried at Dardistown Cemetery this afternoon. @rtenews pic.twitter.com/DSNAIgSc4u

— Eleanor Burnhill (@ElMcM) July 5, 2025

There was laughter as the congregation heard that as a Cork man he would pleased to know he had finally silenced the Dubs.

The Mass concluded shortly after midday, with Brother Kevin's coffin passing by the Capuchin Day Centre this afternoon, where he served for more than half a century.

A procession of people from the Capuchin Day Centre arrived earlier at St Mary of the Angel's Church to pay their respects.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin's aide-de-camp has arrived, as well as the former Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin.

Speaking to RTÉ News, he said: "I remember Brother Kevin, for what he did and for who he was.

"He ran a big undertaking, but when you went to visit him, there was no big CEO's desk, and there was no sitting room, if you wanted to say you met him with his people.

"And that was the great thing about that. He was a real Capuchin in the best sense of the word."

President Michael D Higgins and Sabina Higgins arrived earlier at St Mary of the Angels church.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is also in attendance.

Br Kevin reposed all day yesterday at St Mary of the Angels on Church Street, with a steady stream of people coming to pay their respects.

An evening prayer service was held at 6pm.

Members of the public are also expected to line the streets.

Br Kevin devoted his life to serving the poor, helping countless people in need from when he joined the Capuchins in 1958.

Following over half a century of service, he retired to his birthplace of Cork in 2022, where he passed away peacefully this week.

He will be remembered not only by his family and friends, but by the many volunteers, helpers, staff and guests at the Capuchin Day Centre, as a man who in the words of President Higgins was a "warm, caring, yet fearless man" who made an invaluable contribution.

Senator Aubrey McCarthy said he has now written to Dublin City Council and the Lord Mayor to ask that a street be named after Brother Kevin.

Speaking on his way into today's service, he said: "The Capuchin centre was always open during the day, and then my Lighthouse cafe was open in the evening, so the people would always come and just say, the amazing work, the amazing food, the amazing hospitality that brother Kevin showed."

Asked about the growing level of homelessness in the capital city, he said: "He never got involved politically. And one thing I wrote to the head of the Council and the Lord Mayor yesterday, asking for a street to be renamed in his honour.

"I think this man, he would possibly not like it but I just do think we need to pay tribute to Brother Kevin, who really made a difference to the people of Dublin."

TD Marie Sherlock was in attendance at the Mass on behalf of the Labour Party.

Alice Leahy, Director of Services at the Alice Leahy Trust, said she had known Brother Kevin from the very early days of working with homeless people in the city over the past five decades.

She said many of the people she works with are missing him deeply.

Ms Leahy said she was invited to the Capuchin centre when the late Pope Francis had visited in 2018.

"We had different views on maybe how we would do things but we were great friends," she said.

"He was a great man and I just hope people will continue to be inspired by him.

"I knew the Capuchin Centre when it had just one room, a tiny room ... He was a wonderful man and I'm glad our paths crossed and I will always remember him with great affection," she added.

She said his passing was a huge loss and she said Br Kevin he would have loved to have seen the Dubs play in Cork today.

"We have to believe that he's looking down on us and inspiring us and egging us on," she added.