Société des Missions Africaines - Province d’Irlande

né le 15 mars 1921 à Belfast dans le diocèse de Down & Connor, Irlande membre de la SMA le 1er juillet 1942 prêtre le 15 juin 1946 décédé le 25 avril 1993

1946-1950 Cork, études 1950-1951 Londres, études 1951-1961 archidiocèse de Lagos, Nigeria 1961-1988 diocèse d’Ilorin, Nigeria 1988-1990 paroisse sma, Blackrock Road, Cork 1990-1993 Blackrock Road et Dromantine, retiré décédé à Belfast, Irlande, le 25 avril 1993 à l’âge de 72 ans

Martin Conboy was born in Belfast (the home address was at 'Cairn Dhu', Carnlough, Co Antrim), in the diocese of Down and Connor, on 15 March 1921. He died, following a car accident, on Sunday 25 April 1993, in the Royal Victoria hospital, Belfast.

Martin was raised in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim. He received his secondary education at St. Mary's Christian Brothers schools, Belfast (1934 1940), before joining the Society's novitiate and house of philosophy, at Kilcolgan, Co Galway, in September 1940. Two years later he commenced his theological formation in the Society's seminary, at Dromantine, Co Down. Martin was received as a member of the Society on 15 June 1945. He was ordained a priest in St. Colman's cathedral, Newry, by Bishop Eugene O'Doherty of Dromore diocese, on 15 June 1946. He was one of a group of fourteen ordained on that day.

After ordination Martin studied in the science faculty at U.C.C., receiving an honours B.Sc. degree in 1949. A year later he was awarded an M.Sc. degree for work in bio chemistry. Martin spent the academic year 1950 1951 at London University where he received a teaching diploma. On 6 December 1951 Martin set sail from Liverpool for Nigeria on board the M.V. Accra. On his arrival in the archdiocese of Lagos, he was appointed to the staff of St. Gregory's college, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria's first Catholic secondary school opened in 1928. St. Gregory's had 320 pupils when Martin came to teach science in the college. In December 1954 Martin was invalided to Ireland with a duodenal ulcer. He was able to return to St. Gregory's in August 1955, remaining there until 1960. For most of the years Martin spent in St. Gregory's the principal was Tommy Moran. Other members of staff included Patrick J. Carroll, Hugh McKeown, John McAndrew and Pedro Martins (a Nigeria priest, who was ordained in 1943 and studied at U.C.C.).

In January 1960 the prefecture of Ilorin was erected (originally it had been part of Lagos jurisdiction) and Martin was released by Archbishop Leo Taylor to serve on the founding staff. His first appointment, given to him by the new prefect, William Mahony, in September 1961, was to teach science in the community grammar school at Oro. In 1967 Martin was the founder principal of a Catholic community college at Ekan Meje, Ilorin (Fatima college). The Ilorin jurisdiction was erected as a diocese in 1969, and Martin was appointed vicar general. In 1970 Martin he took up residence at New Bussa, teaching in the secondary school. His final teaching appointment was to St. Anthony's secondary school, Ilorin. In 1986 Martin became administrator of the cathedral at Ilorin. Two years later deteriorating health forced him to leave Nigeria. After a period of convalescence Martin was appointed assistant priest in the S.M.A. parish at Blackrock Road. In 1990 he retired from active duty, taking up residence at Blackrock Road. He spent his last year in Dromantine.

John Olurunfemi Onaiyekan, bishop of Ilorin (now archbishop of Abuja) wrote of Martin shortly after his death: 'Father Conboy made a great contribution to education in Nigeria. Those whom he taught at St. Gregory's college, Lagos, will never forget his sense of duty. He created an unbeatable record as a priest teacher in Oro grammar school. In Fatima college his death was received with the greatest sorrow. His humility and availability were the virtues most evident to his students'. His obituary in the African Missionary paints the following portrait of Martin: 'I had only just arrived in Nigeria as a fledgling missionary in 1962 when I visited the Society's house in Ibadan. I couldn't help but notice this man dressed in shorts and white shirt who strode purposefully into our company. A most imposing bronzed figure with dark wavy hair and the look of a man who was in control of things. As we exchanged the usual pleasantries I remember very well being tremendously impressed by the richness of his deep Northern Ireland accent and though I didn't catch his name I knew it must be Martin Conboy and so it was. The next time I really met him for any length of time was in 1988 when he became assistant priest at St. Joseph's parish, Blackrock Road. He wasn't well then and had deteriorated a great deal physically but he still cut an impressive figure. Though it took me quite a while to get to know him I was able to appreciate a man of many fine qualities. He was a great conversationalist with a rich personality and a tremendous sense of humour. He was a companion whose ready wit and ability as a raconteur enlivened many an otherwise dull evening. He revelled in opportunities to recall happy days spent in classrooms and parishes in Lagos and Ilorin'. He was a younger brother of Joseph Conboy, who was ordained for the Society in 1938.

He is buried in Wilton cemetery.