Dan O'Connor of Laharn, Valentia was born on August 2, 1977. He lived a happy and wholesome life until his untimely passing on August 26 after a short illness.
Dan's early interests in life, which he maintained until the end, included football with his beloved Valentia Young Islanders Club. He was a tight-marking and uncompromising corner back and enjoyed many great successes at underage and senior level with the club.
Dan developed a keen interest in drag hunting along with his father David and through this had many memorable wins, his most renowned dogs being Mickey Finn and Highland, both of whom won best dog titles in the local drag hunt championships.
Dan could be seen walking his dogs any time from dawn to darkness; this gave him a good stretch during the summer months. He also held the position as treasurer of the Kerry Beagle Association.
He met local girl Abina Sugrue in the summer of 2000 and resulting from this, they married in September 2003 in what was a great celebration in the Waterville Lake Hotel.
They built their home on the site previously owned by Dan's grandfather, Davey Dan. Dan invested a lot of his time in the building of the house and he was ably assisted by his family and friends. Dan was gifted with his hands with tiling and stone work his particular strengths.
Dan and Abina were delighted with the arrival of their first child Emma in September 2004 again when Kevin arrived in April 2006 and once again with the birth of Aidan in January 2009. Dan took great pride in his wife and young family and was a truly dedicated husband and father.
He worked locally at Delpac in Ballinskelligs for thirteen years in print and stock control. He enjoyed this job very much and had many close friends here also.
Dan was waked at Daly's Funeral Home in Cahersiveen. Requiem Mass was said at Chapeltown Church on Wednesday, August 28 and he was buried following this at Cill Mor Cemetery on Valentia Island.
He is survived by his wife Abina, children Emma, Kevin, and Aidan, parents David and Maureen, brothers John, David, Patrick and Gerard, sisters Mary, Noreen, Anne and Margaret, nieces and nephews, in-laws and friends.
He will be forever missed by many in the locality and beyond. Dan O'Connor - family man, beagle man, football man, handy man and gentleman.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.

Kerry's Eye, 26th September 2013 Tweet

Most Read Stories