Dr Barry Cullen, ophthalmologist, Cavan Town, RIP

Late last year, the family of internationally renowned ophthalmologist Dr Barry Cullen bade farewell to a man who made an indelible mark on his chosen field.

Dr Cullen died, aged 92 years, on September 23 last, peacefully, in his sleep, in Edinburgh, where he worked as senior consultant at the Edinburgh Eye Pavilion for 30 years as an NHS doctor.

Born in Cavan in 1928, Barry was the son of GP Dr Bernard Thomas (‘Bertie’) Cullen who practiced at 5 Farnham Street, Cavan Town. Bertie was married to Maura Cullen (nee Martin), who studied at University College Galway. Barry’s older brother, Brian, became a monk and later Abbot of Glenstal. Brian died in 2019.

The Cullens were stalwarts of Cavan Golf Club and big bridge players, a pastime Barry participated in right up to his death.

The popular ophthalmologist played golf on his 90th birthday with his son Stephen and retained all his faculties into old age, playing bridge up until Covid restrictions came into place in Edinburgh.

Barry was a world-renowned ophthalmologist. After his Edinburgh health service career, from 1998-2015, he started a second career in Singapore. In the island city-state in Southeast Asia, his passing was marked in an online memorial ceremony last December.

The Foreign Minister of Singapore, Vivian Balakrishnan, made an address at the memorial. Dr Balakrishnan is a qualified ophthalmologist, who trained under Dr Cullen. The Singaporeans marked Barry’s passing with a tribute to his contribution to the establishment of neuro-ophthalmology as a sub-speciality at the Singapore National Eye Centre, which was founded in 1990 and whose expertise is now much sought after in South East Asian countries.

Barry went to an Irish speaking school in Cavan before going to Glenstal, where he enjoyed cricket and rugby as well as excelling in his studies. Barry’s love of sport saw him organise the Cavan tennis tournament of 1950. His career first took him to Dubin, then Newcastle with a one year training sting at the John Hopkins University in Baltimore along the way.

Barry’s wife, Ann Cullen (nee Black) continues to lives in Edinburgh. Ann is from Clones, daughter of JP Black, the renowned solicitor. They were married for 66 years.Ann taught sports in Ireland and the UK but gave up tennis when the demands of family life took over.

Barry is deeply missed by his wife and five children.