People and Places
Michael Commins
A KILTIMAGH priest is celebrating the golden jubilee of his ordination. Fr Cormac O’Hora, formerly of Treenagleragh, Kiltimagh, and currently serving in a parish near Paris, France, was joined by family, friends and neighbours for a special celebration in Kiltimagh last Saturday evening week.
Fr Cormac (formerly known as Aidan) was the chief celebrant at a Mass in Kiltimagh Church at 6pm, assisted by local PP, Fr Paddy Kilcoyne . Afterwards, he was the guest of honour at a dinner and party in the new Park Hotel in the town.
Fr Cormac was ordained as a member of the Passionist Order and has been based in France for 30 years.
Son of the late James and Alice O’Hora of Treenagleragh, he was born in January, 1932, the year of the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin. He was the fourth-youngest in a family of 12, seven of whom have gone to their eternal reward. One of his brothers, the late Willie O’Hora, was a former national censor in Dublin.
His brother Vinnie resides in the home village of Treenagleragh, while Nathy lives in England. Fr Cormac’s sister, Sr Mary, is also resident in England while another sister, Kathleen, lives in Kiltimagh.
Educated at Treenagleragh NS and later at St Nathy’s in Ballaghaderreen, he entered the Passionist Monastery at the Graan, Enniskillen, in 1950, the year Mayo won the All-Ireland final. He was later to spend three years studying for the priesthood at Preswich, completing his studies at Mount Argus in Dublin.
Ordained by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid in 1957, he was associated with ‘The Cross’ magazine for the first year and later served as Provincial Bursar for ten years. In September 1978 – the very same month that fellow Kiltimagh native Tom Byrne scored two memorable goals for Mayo to win an All-Ireland minor game against Dublin – Fr Cormac was heading across to Paris where he was to serve until his retirement a few months ago.
Fr Cormac has recieved many messages of goodwill and congratulations during his visit home. Indeed he was overwhelmed with the welcome and has extended thanks to all who made his journey back to Kiltimagh such a memorable one on this special occasion.
A fond farewell to Brendan O’Brien
IT was late on Thursday night last when I heard of the sudden death of showband legend Brendan O’Brien in Cork.
I have to say that, along with country singer Big Tom, he was one of the nicest people I ever met in the business. There was a lovely human quality about Brendan, and if he had a problem with drink now and again ... so what ... he had more nature in him than many of the so-called big names in the business.
The Dixies were huge during the showband years and were always synonymous with Cork. Cork people loved them. I only got to know Brendan in the mid-1980s when the Dixies reformed for a number of shows. Since then, I met him on several occasions and spoke to him on the phone many more.
In many ways, life was not too kind to Brendan, and he died alone. But to me, he was a true star in the best sense of that often misused word. I don’t mind admitting that I shed a few tears on Thursday night. To me, Brendan was salt-of-the-earth, a very special person, and one who always raised my spirits when I talked to him. He spoke with that lovely accent that is found by the banks of the Lee. Brendan, you truly were special…and one of the very best.
