THE former head of music at a north Belfast school has been remembered as someone who helped nurture a "vast number of first-class musicians throughout these islands and beyond" following his death.
Fr Kevin McMullan, who led the music department at St Malachy's College from 1963 to 1995, died on Saturday at Belfast's Nazareth House Care Village.
Tributes have been paid to the dedicated educator, who returned to the school in 2018 to perform at an alumni recital, and has been described by colleagues as a "true inspiration" to his former pupils.
St Malachy's principal, Paul McBride, described Fr McMullan as an "accomplished pianist and an outstanding teacher".
"He was responsible for the College’s enviable reputation in the world of music-making and played a leading role in forming a vast number of first-class musicians throughout these islands and beyond," he said, adding that Fr McMullan had often astounded his classes with "virtuosic performances" throughout the years.
"As a teacher and person, Fr Kevin took a genuine interest in all of his students and encouraged them to give of their best through his gentle, calm and generous approach."
A former pupil of Fr McMullan himself, Mr McBride said he "was not only the best teacher I ever had, he was also a very dear friend who played such a role in my formation as a person and teacher".
He added: "He was always on hand to listen, advise and nudge me gently in the right direction – right to the end. He was simply an exceptional person and brilliant musician, and he will be sorely missed.”
A spokesperson for Kilmore & Killyleagh Parishes also praised Fr McMullan's role as a parish priest following his retirement from St Malachy's.
"He brought back congressional singing at masses and would practice the singing of the Alleluia Acclamation before mass with everyone present," they said, adding parishioners would remember his "calm, gentle nature and his exhilarating homilies".
Following his retirement in 2010, Fr McMullan continued to help out in various parishes across Belfast.
A death notice described the popular priest as the "dearly beloved son of the late Michael and Phoebe, brother of Father Brendan, Mícheál, Fergus and the late Roisin, and much-loved uncle of his nephews and nieces."
A funeral will take place on Wednesday at Downpatrick's Holy Family Church, before burial in the adjoining cemetery.
The notice added his death was "deeply regretted by Bishop Donal McKeown and the clergy of the diocese of Down and Connor".
