Dentist, philosopher and devoted priest dies in his 89th year

THE death occurred after a short illness on Sunday, September 6 of Fr. James (Jimmy) Ryan at Falcarragh Community Hospital in Donegal.

The late Fr Jimmy was a native of Lower Cork St, Mitchelstown.

He was the youngest of nine children born to the late Willie Ryan and Julia (Nee O’Donoghue) who ran a very successful footwear business in Lower Cork St.

Born in 1926, he received his early education at Mitchelstown CBS before moving to Secondary School to St. Colman’s, Fermoy. He later qualified as a dentist from U.C.C. The late Fr. Jimmy was a keen sportsman, being very interested in GAA, tennis and fishing.

Three of his sisters had entered religious life and he too felt a strong call from God, which he answered at the age of 30. Initially he thought of joining Mount Melleray but finally chose the Capuchin Franciscan Order.

He was received into the Capuchins at Rochestown Cork in October 1956. It was customary in those days to take the name of a saint as a religious name. He chose the saint associated with Mitchelstown - St. Fanahan.

He studied philosophy at UCC under Dr James O’Mahony, another Mitchelstown Capuchin.

He studied theology at the Capuchin Seminary at Ard Mhuire, Creeslough, Co Donegal and was ordained at Ard Mhuire on May 28, 1964.

The late Fr James spent his 51 years of priesthood in three different Capuchin houses, in dublin and 24 years in Creeslough, Co Donegal.

He was known as a man of constant prayer. He never sought the limelight, preferring the quiet life. He was a very friendly man, who was very interested in people and known for his daily visits to the sick when he was on parochial work.

He enjoyed good health up to a month before he died. He died peacefully in his 89th year at Falcarragh Community Hospital.

His funeral was held in the Church Grounds. His remains reposed at the Capuchin Friary, Ard Mhuire with Liturgical Reception to the Friary Church on Tuesday.

Funeral mass was held on Wednesday with burial to the Friary Cemetery.

To his sister Sr. Teresita, a Loreto sister in Arizona (aged 97), his sister in law, Nora, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, cousins relatives friends and his Community in Creeslough we tender our sincere sympathy.

THE LATE EILEEN KENNY

THE death occurred on September 7 of Eileen Patricia Kenny (Nee Heffernan) Glenduff Upper, Mitchelstown.

The late Eileen was very well known locally. There was a large attendance at the removal on Wednesday evening from O’Brien’s Funeral Home to the parish Church and also at the Requiem Mass and burial on Thursday. Interment took place to the adjoining cemetery. To her husband Tim, daughter Bernadette ( Walsh) extended family, relatives and friends we tender our sincere sympathy.