03-07-2025
Tributes paid to ‘caring' Capuchin centre founder Brother Kevin Crowley
President Michael D. Higgins has led tributes to Brother Kevin Crowley of the Capuchin Franciscans, who passed away yesterday at the age of 90. The order said that Br Kevin, who devoted over five decades to serving the poor and marginalised, died at Mount Desert Nursing Home in his home county of Cork.
He founded the Capuchin Day Centre, a homeless service in Dublin, in 1969, which was visited by Pope Francis in 2018. Br Kevin's funeral Mass will be held at St Mary of the Angels on Church Street in Dublin at 11 am on Saturday.
President Higgins said Br Kevin was a 'warm, caring, yet fearless man', while the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, said he was saddened to hear of the death of his 'good friend'. Mr Higgins said Br Kevin 'made an invaluable contribution' to the people of Dublin city. Br Kevin Crowley. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin.
'The hot meals, food parcels, clothing, showers, family services, and medical and dental services have not just extended care of the most vulnerable but has been exemplary in showing a fundamental respect for the dignity of each person and allowed so many of those who have availed of the services to rebuild their lives,' he said.
'It was extremely appropriate that Pope Francis visited Br Kevin and the Capuchin Day Centre during his visit to Ireland in 2018 and met with those present and volunteers. I was deeply honoured to meet with Br Kevin on many occasions throughout the years and to share in his company.
'Brother Kevin was a warm, caring, yet fearless man, who dedicated his life to living his Christian faith in dedication to those most in need.' Mr Martin said Brother Kevin was 'a tireless and passionate advocate for justice, dedicating his life to helping those in need'. Br Kevin Crowley shakes hands with Pope Francis. Pic: Damien Eagers/WMOF18/Maxwell Photography/Pool via
'In 1969, he founded the Capuchin Day Centre, where he worked selflessly and with good humour for 53 years, providing help to vulnerable people. He truly lived the gospel. His compassion, devotion, and non-judgmental approach to helping the marginalised was unwavering.
'He was an inspiring and humble man who I always enjoyed meeting. He was a proud Cork man who never lost touch with the home place that nurtured him in his early years. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time.'
Tánaiste Simon Harris said Br Kevin was 'one of life's true heroes'. 'A proud Cork man, he made an enormous contribution to assisting vulnerable Dublin people with the foundation of the Capuchin Day Centre,' he said. Brother Kevin Crowley. Pic: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos
'While the centre is well known for its distribution of food parcels to people in need, I visited with Brother Kevin as health minister and know its work went beyond that, providing a range of medical services and family supports… Br Kevin will never be forgotten for the immense charitable contribution he made to people experiencing poverty and suffering.'
The Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell said Br Kevin's work 'transformed the lives of the poor and marginalised in our city from misery and despair to hope and love'.
Br Kevin Crowley was born on 24 February 1935 in Inniskeen in West Cork. He was one of five children. His father was a farm manager. When he finished school at 18, Br Kevin went to work for CIÉ, answering telephones. He was 23 by the time he finally followed his religious calling, entering the Capuchin monastery in Kilkenny on Easter Monday, 1959.
He came to Dublin in 1969 and founded the Capuchin Day Centre. Later, as a superior, he spent six years in Cork and seven in Donegal before returning to the capital in 2000.
