Arva and Cavan mourns passing of late Fr Hannon who always worked for the betterment of his parishioners

The area was saddened when news spread on Sunday10 November last of the death of Fr Donald Hannon P.E. Parochial House, Arva which occurred at Esker Lodge Nursing Home, Cavan.

While he had been in indifferent health for some time news of his passing was greeted with much sadness and regret among the wider community.

Fr Donald Hannon was born on 2 May 24, 1938 to James and Agnes (nee O’Reilly) Hannon. His father was a Sergeant in An Garda Síochána and was moved to Granard where Fr Hannon attended National School.

He then attended St Patrick’s College, Cavan and from there he went on to Maynooth to study for the Priesthood. He was ordained on 23rd June 1963 and his was the last big class to be Ordained in Maynooth.

After that Ordinations took place in the priest’s own Diocese. Following Ordination Fr Hannon was assigned to Denn as Curate and after 5 years he moved to Knockbride.

It was there he started Cavan’s involvement in Community Games when he spent over 3 months drawing up plans for the County Games and as a result he registered 20 young people to take part in the National Community Games in Dublin.

Barry Mc Guigan had his first Boxing Match there when he was just 12 years old and ended up fighting against his older brother in the Final.

In 1973 Fr Hannon moved to Ballaghameehan, North Leitrim where he spent 8 years and then in 1981 he arrived to Ballyjamesduff where he ministered for 12 years.

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He was appointed Parish Priest in Kinawley and resided in Swanlinbar for 20 years. Having reached the age of 75 Fr Hannon retired as Parish Priest but came to Arva as Curate in 2013.

He had lost none of his energy when he arrived to Arva and was soon immersed in the life of the area. He visited all the homes in our end of the Parish and indeed visited homes outside it when he got to know some people who would regularly come to Mass in Arva.

He was elected President of St Patrick’s GAA Club, Arva Agricultural Show Society, Arva Area Development Association, St Patrick’s Day Parade. He was involved in many family occasions and supported many personal achievements.

He showed great love for the people in Arva and this was returned in spades as they loved him dearly also.

His regular visits to St Mary’s National School had such an impact on the pupils that when the new Walkway that links the School to the new GAA pitch – Páirc Naomh Padraig – was completed they unanimously agreed to call it Hannon’s Way and it will be there as a monument to him forever.

The pupils loved to see him visiting the school and he knew each of them by name. He would chat with them about many subjects including Religion, Sport and in particular GAA.

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He was so proud to attend the homecoming of the Arva team after their County, Provincial and All Ireland victories and although the weather was cold he said you must celebrate these wins as they don’t come that often.

Fr Hannon’s other great love was golf and he was a very good player. He was very friendly with the Maguire family and encouraged Leona and Lisa Maguire in their younger days and always kept in touch with them.

Everywhere he went Fr Hannon had the life of the community at heart and he worked with his parishioners for the betterment of the area.

Fr Hannon will always be remembered in Arva particularly for the renovation of St Patrick’s Hall, He kept quietly encouraging those involved, secured a grant from the Parish Funds of €75,000 and this enabled the committee to secure €200,000 in Leader Funding to get the project underway.

He got €75,000 as a Grant from The Gubay Foundation in England and also helped secure another Loan of €60,000 for the committee.

During this time he commissioned a detailed Survey of the Church of the Sacred Heart and only for the deterioration in his health the work would have started on that some years ago.

He would have been delighted to know that this work will commence within the next couple of weeks and the first phase will be finished before Christmas. Fr Hannon is survived by his sister Carmel; nephews (Ryan, Paul, Philip and Julius); nieces (Caroline, Ayesha and Tara); cousins (Bosco, Helen, Kathleen and Marian); grandnieces, Bishop Martin Hayes, Bishop-Emeritus Leo O’Reilly, and his fellow clergy of the Diocese of Kilmore, his extended family, his beloved parishioners in Arva and the others parishes where he ministered; and his large circle of friends, especially Anne and Bill as well as his devoted carer, Norma who looked after him so well over the past couple of years.

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Fr Hannon reposed at Lakelands Funeral Home, Dublin Road, Cavan following which he was taken to his home in Arva. His removal on Tuesday to the Church of the Sacred Heart was via Hannon’s Way, around the new GAA Pitch, Broad Road and Main Street to repose that evening in front of the Altar. His Cortège was accompanied by a Guard of Honour from many local organisations led by the GAA Club who’s members carried his coffin from his house to the Altar.

His Funeral Mass on Wednesday was Concelebrated by Monsignor Liam Kelly V.G. who was deputising for Bishop Martin Hayes assisted by Fr Andrew Tully P.P. Killeshandra and Fr Hannon’s class mate and constant friend Fr Johnny Cusack P.E., Lavey.

There were over 30 priests present from the Diocese of Kilmore - including Bishop Emeritus Leo O’ Reilly - and Priests from other Diocese.

Also present was his good friend Archdeacon Hazel Hicks, Church of Ireland, Priest in Charge of the Arva Group of Parishes.

It was a beautiful Mass and Homily which was added to by the singing of the Church Choir. Following Mass interment took place in Coronea Cemetery. Kilmore Diocesan Pioneer Association held a Guard of Honor for Fr Hannon after his funeral Mass
Typical of Fr Hannon his request was that donations in lieu of flowers be given to the Sacred Heart Church Arva Renovation Fund. Last June Fr Hannon celebrated 61 years as a priest for the Diocese of Kilmore and people of Arva are thankful that they had him with them for some of that time.

Go mbeidh Fr Hannon í measc na nAingeal go deo – ní beidh a leithéid ann arís.