Funeral takes place of popular former Athlone priest

The funeral has taken place of Fr Seán O'Dowd, a Kiltegan Father, who worked and lived in Ss Peter and Paul parish in Athlone for some twelve years.

John Joseph (always known as Seán) O'Dowd died on Monday night last, at the age of 87. He was laid to rest today, Thursday.

The late Fr O'Dowd served as a Kiltegan missionary priest in Nigeria for some 25 years, before working to promote the work of the Kiltegans (St Patrick's Missionary Society) for 21 years across England, Wales and Scotland where he conducted mission appeals in over 700 parishes from Penzance, in the South, to John of Groats in the North

He returned to Ireland and served in the parish of St Peter and Paul, Athlone, from 2011. He took responsibility for the Clonown area of the parish and the area around Deerpark Road, where he resided for some time.

In 2016 Seán became the Chaplain to the Mercy Sisters in Athlone and in 2017 he went to live in the Divine Master Convent, Athlone. He remained there until he retired to Kiltegan in the summer of 2023.

After retiring to Kiltegan, Seán took an active part in the community until his health began to decline. He endured a few challenging months and was admitted to hospital for long periods. He bore his illness with great fortitude and without complaint. He died in Tallaght Hospital just before midnight on December 2.

"Seán was a very committed missionary who was always prepared to go where the Society needed him. During his days in Nigeria, he devoted himself to his students and was keen to develop their academic side as well as encouraging them in playing games and adopting a healthy lifestyle,” the St Patrick's Missionary Society said, a statement.

Fr. Sean O’Dowd SPS, St Patrick’s Missionary Society, Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow and formerly of Aughnacross, Newtowncashel Co. Longford and the diocese of Calabar, Nigeria, died on December 2. He was [redeceased by his parents Patrick and Mary, his brother Michael, his brother-in-law Ray and sister-in-law Maureen. He is sadly missed by his brothers PJ, Gerry and Brendan, his sisters Mary and Collette and sisters-in-law Teresa, Carmel and Frances, his nieces and nephews and their families, his wide circle of friends and his Society family in Kiltegan.

His Funeral Mass took place in St Patrick’s Chapel, Kiltegan, today, Thursday, followed by burial in the Society Cemetery.