‘A long life well-lived’
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Funeral of one of Ireland’s oldest men, Michael Hannon in his 105th year on his final journey in Killaloe last Wednesday. Photo: James Treacy James TreacyImage 2 of 4
Michael Hannon at the celebration of his 104th birthday last February. James TreacyImage 3 of 4
Michael Hannon. RIP. rip.ieImage 4 of 4
The late Jackie Hannon of Scarriff, brother of Michael. He lived to be 94 and died in an accident in 2013. James Treacy PhotographyMichael Hannon, from Killaloe, died peacefully in the care of the staff at Raheen Community Hospital just a few months after turning 104.
Michael was one of Ireland's oldest men before his passing on Sunday, July 13.
He celebrated his 104th birthday as musicians and entertainers descended on Raheen Nursing Home in Co Clare in February.
He is predeceased by his beloved wife Nancy and daughter Geraldine, his brothers Neil, Jackie, Matthew, Tim and sister Maura. Michael is sadly missed by his loving daughter Anne, son John, daughter-in-law Sighle, sons-in-law John and Martin, ten grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.
Many of the Hannon family lived to be well into their 90s, including Michael's brother Jackie, who died following an accident in his home. Jackie and Michael had lived on a simple diet of bacon and cabbage for dinner their whole lives.
Michael had been invited to attend the official opening of the Shannon bridge crossing on the Killaloe bypass in May.
The 104-year-old was welcomed by Clare County Council and Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien to the event. He said he felt “honoured and thankful to everyone who invited me”, and spoke of how proud he was to see such progress for the local community.
Fiona Levie, from Scariff Bay Community Radio, told how Michael had agreed to let her interview him about the opening of the bridge on the spur of the moment.
‘HARDWORKING MAN’
She wrote: “It was such a pleasure to talk with him. He was so excited about the new bridge and so happy to be there - we had a lovely few minutes together.
“Condolences to all the family, and at the same time, congratulations to Michael on a long life well-lived.”
Mourners told how Michael was an “absolute gentleman”. Another mourner said: “We are thinking of you all at this time. Michael, was a lovely, gentle, hardworking man who, every time I met him, displayed a practical and philosophical way of looking at life.”
His funeral Mass took place in St Flannan's Church in Killaloe at 11am on Wednesday last week, with burial afterwards in Reilig Lua Cemetery.