The opening line from the Book of Wisdom "The virtuous man, though he died before his time, will find rest," was read at the funeral mass for the late John O'Hanlon of Tullamore, Co Offaly and formerly of Dooncaha, Tarbert. This emphasised the nature of his sudden and untimely death on the morning of January 20.
The large number of people from Tarbert and the surrounding areas who made the long journey by car and bus to the Offaly town for his funeral was testimony to his popularity and the esteem in which the O'Hanlon family is held.
One of a family of six boys and four girls born to the late Patrick and Mary O'Hanlon of Dooncaha, Tarbert. Johnny (as he was known) grew up on the family farm experiencing daily, the work of nature and was imbued with a strong sense of Christian values, which he was to pass on to his own family.
Following his primary schooling at Tarmons and Tarbert National Schools, he received his secondary education with three of his brothers at St Brendan's College, Killarney.
The 'Sem' was not only a great school for the Classics but also a great nursery for Gaelic football. In later years he played as a half back on the Tarbert team where he proved to be a committed never say die, gutsy player who thrived in the heat of battle.
He played with his brother Tommy and his twin brother Paddy on the 1969 team which won the North Kerry Championship final after a lapse of 21 years. Twelve brothers drawn from four families made up the first 15 in one of the finest Tarbert teams of all time.
In a further joyous celebration for the family that year, his younger brother Tommy was ordained to the priesthood.
Johnny worked for 40 years in Offaly as an agricultural adviser with Teagasc and though not formally accredited, Kerry never sent a better ambassador to the Faithful County.
At his funeral, a local Church of Ireland clergyman paid tribute to Johnny for all the work he had done on behalf of the midland farmers in an effort to improve their livelihood over the years.
He was one of the driving forces behind the Tullamore Agricultural Show making it one of the most successful shows of its kind in the country.
When he retired from Teagasc about two years ago, he became more actively involved in the community life of his adopted parish, as was evidenced at his funeral in the guard of honour representing Tullamore Show, the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Cystic Fibrosis Society.
After the Requiem Mass concelebrated by his older brother Fr Jimmy in the Church of the Assumption, Tullamore, he was buried in nearby Clonminch Cemetery.
Sympathy is extended to his wife Hillary, four daughters and two sons, to the O'Hanlon family, Dooncaha and in particular to his sister Noirin and brother Fr Tommy in Pakistan who were unable to be present at his obsequies.
Solas na bhFlaitheas da anam uasal
- The Kerryman, February 4 Tweet

Most Read Stories