Fr Austin McGuinness was born on 25th November 1940 at Clonard, Co Meath. He was educated at Clonard N.S. and Belcamp College, Dublin. He entered Dalgan in September 1959 and was ordained priest on 21st December 1965.
Austin was appointed to Korea in 1966. Over the following thirteen years, after language studies, he served in Hampyeng, Kwanju Archdiocese; in Kyung Dong, Mokpo; in Pang Nim Dong, Kwangju; and in Sasang, Pusang.
From 1979 to 1981 he studied at the Richmond Fellowship in London. He was then appointed to three years on Mission Promotion, followed by two years as assistant in Navan Parish. He returned to Korea for a further three years, serving in Inchon.
Austin returned to Ireland in 1990 in poor health. His studies at the Richmond Fellowship, his social skills and his own sufferings prepared him to be a sympathetic and helpful chaplain to the sick.
Over the following years he served as chaplain successively in Ballinderry, Mullingar, at the Mater Hospital in Dublin, at St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin, at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin. From 2003 to 2005 he was pastor at Drumlion, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Roscommon.
From 2005 onwards he served as chaplain at St Joseph’s Hospital, Trim, Co Meath until ill-health confined him to the Dalgan Nursing Home where he died unexpectedly on 29th December 2022.
Austin had a warm personality. He was very generous in supporting various Columban mission projects, was at ease in relating to people and had a wide range of interests. He is buried in the Dalgan cemetery.
May he rest in peace.