Michael Byrne

I remember your gentle nods and slow steps. One day my children saw you and asked me who are you I told them that your appearance makes me feel happy even in toughest days. You will always be remembered Michael Byrne.

Rest in peace.

RIP Old Man Belfield. I have many fond memories surrounding Michael throughout my time in UCD. I hope one day that our paths cross again. A great loss to the community. Rest gently.

Michael was one of the true quiet constants in Belfield who would every so often emerge from the shadows. It was wonderful to meet him and now to know that he was treated with such kindness. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Thankyou to the family who looked out for Michael you all did a kind wonderful thing taking him in to your lives the way you did with care and compassion may he rest in peace and my you take comfort knowing people appreciated all you did for him Thankyou

Thinking and praying for you. ...... RIP Michael.

Rest easy Michael

Rest in Peace Michael, a true gentleman.

Deepest sympathy to all the McCarthy family who were really Michael's next of kin. Your mother Miriam was a remarkable woman and showed such kindness to Michael. It was lovely to hear the story in your tribute at end of Mass. The funeral Mass was very moving with beautiful singing. . Thank you to all in UCD who organised it. I had never heard of Michael til I read the story in paper but I was captivated by his gentleness and his ability to live life as he wanted. You all made him feel at home in UCD. He has taught us a lot. Slán abhaile Michael.

Sleep easy

Rest Easy Michael, from college days to returning to live locally there was always something calming to seeing you around!

May you rest in peace.
You have such dignity and character. I hope you knew how much you were loved and respected by those who passed you each day.
You must have felt safe in the campus as you lived there for so many years.
The scholars recognized a man of class, character and quiet dignity amongst them.
May you meet your loved one in Heaven.

my son a student of St Michael’s told me you once stepped in to save a young girl.
Your gentle presence will be missed - dignity is the word that was clearly associated with you as many have expressed - Rest in Peace unknown saintly Michael

UCD will never be the same without you again.

RIP Michael - campus won’t be the same now you’ve left us

RIP To a gentle soul, your kind presence will be deeply missed on campus

Always so dignified with such a warm presence. I would try to catch your eye to chat but you would quickly turn with the gentlest of smiles. You will be missed Michael. Rest In Peace.

Michael Byrne RIP Thanks also to the McCarthy family and all those who were kind to Michael . Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

As a mother of a student in UCD, having heard of the mystique surrounding this man, Michael Byrne, held in affection by students, staff and residents of the surrounding area and cared for so genuinely by the McCarthy family, I offer sympathy to each of you.
The story surrounding this gentleman who found his home on Campus is an inspiring one of the goodness of humanity and a reminder of how education is more than Degrees, Masters and Doctorates. His funeral Mass was a most meaningful and fitting tribute to a person who touched so many lives, each of you associated with organising it, who participated in and contributed to it did both yourselves and your dear friend proud. A few lines from a poem, "The Unknown Shore" captures the gentle and unassuming manner in which he left this world, "But I shall have peacefully furled my sail In mooring sheltered from storm and gale, And greeted friends who had sailed before O'er the unknown sea to the unknown shore.
"Old Man Belfield", go mbeadh leaba agat i measc na Naomh ar Neamh agus go bhfanfaidh tú i suaimhneas i ngairdín an Tiarna.

I was very saddened to hear you’ve left us. I remember you as a student in the early 90s and found it reassuring and steadying to see you again when I returned years later as staff. You were throughout gentle and dignified and were a reminder of the importance of compassion towards others and gratitude for what we ourselves have. I’ll miss seeing you around.

Sincere sympathy to the McCarthy Family the students and staff of UCD ye were so good to Michael . I feel he was very happy in Belfield . May Michael
Rest in peace,

RIP Michael

Rest in Peace gentle Michael. Condolences to the McCarthy family & all who helped Michael. A beautiful service today. Very fitting. You will be missed by many.

May your gentle soul rest in peace.

We will miss you, Old Man, every day between 11 and 12. You were very welcome in our lives and we thank you.

Rest easy Michael.

Well done to everyone who looked out for Michael over the years, especially to UCD who allowed him to make the campus his home.

Rest in peace Michael, I remember seeing you around whenever I finished late in the lab you always seemed like a very interesting person. Thanks to the McCarthy family for looking after Michael, sad to hear of your passing.

Without saying a word you spoke to so many. You are fondly remembered by us all. Rest in peace Michael. God bless.

I saw you many, many times in UCD Engineering. I never knew your name. I never heard you speak. You have left a lasting memory. Rest in peace Michael.

Rest in Peace Michael. Your gentle and kind personality leaves a legacy to be proud of. Deepest sympathy and thanks to those who looked out for you.
- Muriel, a former UCD student

RIP Michael. UCD will never be the same without you.

Michael, you were such a remarkable and peaceful person. You will forever hold a very special place in every UCD student's memory ❤ Rest in peace.

A lovely mass today as a parting for a gentleman from this earth. Such a tribute from everyone from Fr Bourke , McCarthy friend who said beautiful and appropriate words about Michael. Lovely hymns thanks to singer and organist. And a word also to Masseys and all local people who came in contact with Michael and looked out for him. God wouldn't one love to know what went through his mind about people down the years. If the streets could only talk? Rest in peace Michael.

Rest in Peace Michael. We will miss you on the Belfield Campus.

May Michael Rest in Peace and thank you for your kindness to everyone.Your gentle presence will be greatly missed.
A special word of thanks to the McCarthy Family and all the people who looked out for Michael

Rest in Peace Michael
I Remember seeing Michael in the 1970’s in O'Connell Street while waiting for the bus with my elderly Mother and she said to me that gentleman with the the long grey beard was a very respectable man who was a Professor or person of high standing in one of the University’s she thought it was TCD

Rest in peace, Michael. I never knew your name during my time in UCD but your smile, nod and warm presence isn’t forgotten.
Student - 1998-2003

Rest in peace Michael♡
I remember those days when I used to stay back in the library till late night, whenever I see Michael I felt calm, safe, with just seeing you passing. Your presence brings me calmness. I wish I could turn back time so that I can give/talk to you more. I wish I could say to you I appreciate your presence. I wish you know how much people are caring and loving about you. Thank you Michael, you're truly our silent/secret guardian angel. Thank you to the McCarthy family too.

Love from Malaysia♡

Rest in peace Michael.

Michael Byrne RIP

I've seen Michael many times over the years quietly strolling around Nutley/Ailesbury Rd and was so sorry to hear of his passing. He had a quiet gentle and dignified way about him and was held in huge affection by the UCD students and staff. May his gentle sould rest in peace.

Always used to see him around windy arbour he was greatly respected everybody knew him.. we would say hello and he would just nod,. Such a gentle soul.. may he rest in peace x

Rest in peace Michael. We passed many times on campus and said hello but just got a smile. My sons and daughter-in- law remember you during their years in UCD-the gentle giant who loved the campus.

It was lovely to see you around the campus from time to time, silent guardian of UCD is a fitting title. Rest in Peace Michael

Sincere condolences to the McCarthy family and all who remember Michael with fondness. Michael was a truly amazing person. A great educator who has left such a legacy of kindness, gratitude, humility & appreciation of life. He may not have taught in the lecture room but his ability to communicate by his quiet actions was immense and no doubt his presence around UCD will be truly missed. Rest in peace Michael in your new home in heaven.

"the ultimate touchstone of friendship is not improvement, neither of the other nor of the self: the ultimate touchstone is witness, the privilege of having been seen by someone and the equal privilege of being granted the sight of the essence of another, to have walked with them and to have believed in them, and sometimes just to have accompanied them for however brief a span, on a journey impossible to accomplish alone."

-David Whyte

Micheal Byrne, touchstone.
With huge gratitude for your quiet friendship; the campus will never feel the same again.
May God be good to your gentle, giving soul.

Thank you for your gentle look and nod as folk passed by . You had a lovely presence .and brought a warm smile to my face whenever I saw you . You have gone to your just reward . Thanks also to the McCarthy family and all those who were kind to Michael . Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die. Go well, go peacefully, Michael.

Unfortunately I never knew you Michael. I wish I was one of those many people whom got to see that gentle presence the nod of the head and gentle smile you extented to others. I am overwhelmed by the beauiful stories and messages people have written about you. I really hope you knew how much people cared for you. I would like to sincerely thank each and every person who looked out for Michael especially the Mc Carthy family . I am so touched by your generosity to michael xx RIP "Old Man Of Belfield"

My UCD days are long behind me and I've forgotten much of what I learned there but I will never forget Michael and his gentle presence around the place.
May he rest in peace

For years we passed each other out walking, whether it be on Nutley or in UCD. I used to smile to myself in wonder ... would today be the day he might say hello back, only now and again I would get the quickest of a slight nod... it always put a big smile on my face. I will miss you Michael on my walks and I know you will never be forgotten. Rest quietly in peace our dear old friend.

Rest in Peace Michael. We will all miss you.

Rest in Peace Michael. You have touched the hearts of so many scholars xxx

Read Michael's story in the Sunday paper and just watched the lovely fitting Service for him on You tube, thank God for the good people who helped him along life's journey. R I P.

Michael was a calming presence reminding us to take time to reflect . RIP

Your greeting of a nod early each morning lifted my spirit. Rest in Peace Michael x

You lived your life on your own terms and now may you Rest in Peace.

Rest in peace Michael, you will be missed.

Rest in Peace, Michael.