ONE of Ireland’s oldest men has passed away in his 105th year.
Michael Hannon, from Killaloe in Co Clare, 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.
He celebrated his 104th birthday as musicians and entertainers descended on Raheen Nursing Home in Co Clare in February.
He is pre-deceased 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 twenty one 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 had been welcomed by Clare County Council and Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien at 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.
Mourners told how Michael was an “absolute gentleman”.
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.
‘HARD WORKING 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.”
Another mourner said: “We are thinking of you all at this time.
“Michael, was a lovely, gentle, hard working man whom every time I met him displayed a practical and philosophical way of looking at life.”
Michael is reposing in Lynch’s Funeral Home in Killaloe today from 6pm until 8pm.
His funeral mass will take place in St Flannan’s Church in Killaloe at 11am on Wednesday, with burial afterwards in Reilig Lua.
The family has asked that the house remains private at this time.
