Former newspaper reporter, literary journalist and local historian Noeleen Dowling has died aged 67 after a long illness.

Ms Dowling, from Naas, Co Kildare, was a senior reporter with the Cork Examiner in Dublin before joining the Irish Press and later the Evening Press, where she worked as a leading feature writer until the newspaper’s closure in 1995.

She subsequently worked for a time in public relations.

Her passions included drama and literature, and she was a theatre reviewer for the Examiner.

In more recent years wrote book reviews for The Irish Times, especially of books about local history, having gained a MA in the subject from NUI Maynooth.

Seamus Dooley, Irish secretary of the National Union of Journalists, said: “Noeleen was universally liked and is remembered with great affection as a kind and generous colleague.

“Her sad passing breaks another link with the Press Group. While associated with the Irish Press, she was a fine journalist with a strong social conscience and a deep commitment to journalism.”

Family
She is survived by her husband John Grindle, sister Lou, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Her funeral will take place in St Peter’s Church, Phibsborough, at 12.30pm next Monday, followed by burial in St Corban’s Cemetery, Dublin Road, Naas.