Big celebrations as legendary Waterford canon and priest marks 100th birthday

There was a special day for one of Dungarvan Community Hospital’s residents on Sunday 11th of January, as the 100th birthday of Canon Donal O’ Connor was marked by residents, staff, family, fellow clergy and friends.

Following prayers, a celebration at the residential care centre featured the Most Rev. Bishop of the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore Alphonsus Cullinan present Canon O’ Connor with a letter of congratulations and bounty cheque issuing from the President of Ireland marking the occasion.

Canon Donal O’Connor was born in Modeligo in Co. Waterford on the 11th of January 1926. Having received his secondary education at the North Monastery school in Cork, Canon O’ Connor began studying Theology at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth in 1944. Canon O’ Connor went on to Rome three years later, where he completed his post graduate studies.

Canon O’ Connor returned to Ireland in 1954 and served as a curate in St. Patrick’s parish in Waterford City. In 1957, Canon O’ Connor joined the teaching staff in St John’s College in Waterford.

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In 1967 Canon O’ Connor moved on to St. Patrick’s College/Maynooth University, where he continued to teach Theology until his retirement from academic life in 1985.

Canon O’ Connor was appointed as Parish Priest in Ardmore and Grange, Co. Waterford, serving there between 1985 and 2001. During his time there, and affectionately known as “Fr. Danny”, Canon O’ Connor loved every minute of his tenure and took a keen interest in local archaeology, writing articles regarding some of the old ruins in the area.

Canon O’ Connor subsequently moved to Dungarvan, where he worked as a Curate until finally retired eight years later in 2009.

A keen musician, Canon O’ Connor loved to play the violin and piano. Canon O’ Connor donated his very valuable piano to the parish of Ardmore and it now holds pride of place and is in daily use in the local primary school.

Cainteoir Gaelainne isea an Canónach Ó Conchubhuair agus ana shuim aige i gcúrsaí cultuartha agus staire. Le linn dá thréimhse i gColaiste Phádraig Má Nuad, ba cuairteoir rialta go Gaeltacht na Rinne i gCo. Phort Láirge an Canónach Ó Conchubhuair. Bhí TG4 i láthair ag an gceiliúradh i nDún Garbhán ar an Domhnach, áit gur cuireadh agallamh ar an gCanónach le h-aghaidh mír a craoladh ar Nuacht TG4 an tráthnóna sin.

Appropriate to the milestone being marked, in her letter to Canon O’ Connor Uachtarán na hÉireann Catherine Connolly noted:

“You have lived through remarkable times in the history of Ireland and the world. You have witnessed remarkable changes, in lifestyle and technological developments, unimaginable at the time of your birth in January 1926.”

The Asst. Director of Nursing at Dungarvan Community Hospital/Dunabbey House, Ms. Mary Reilly, said:

“We are delighted to mark this day with the remarkable Canon Donal O’ Connnor, his family, Bishop Cullinan and fellow clergy, fellow residents and friends. On all of our behalf, we wish Canon O’ Connor very happy birthday!”