New walkway honours local priest

Hannon’s Way is a new walkway linking St Mary’s National School to the new football pitch at St Patrick's Park Arva.

Following a competition among the 6th class children in St Mary’s National School to name this Walkway it was unanimously agreed to call it "Hannon’s Way" after our beloved former Curate Fr Donald Hannon. Ordained on June 23, 1963 Fr Hannon served in Denn, Knockbride, Ballaghameehan, Ballyjamesduff, Kinawley where he retired as Parish Priest.

In all those parishes he continually worked for the betterment of the people. Fr Hannon has given his life to the Diocese of Kilmore and after he reached retirement age, he agreed to come to Arva as a curate where in 2023 he celebrated 60 Years of priestly ministry.

He was the person mainly responsible for the refurbishment of St Patrick’s Hall with his gentle persuasion and probing. Only for Fr Hannon the hall would not have been refurbished at that time. His knowledge of grants available was unparalleled and took a huge burden off the community. Since his arrival in Arva he has endeared himself to everyone in the area. None more so than the pupils in St Mary’s National School where he was a regular visitor. He knew every student by name, and they could talk to him in an easy manner. Sport was a big topic, and he could converse on GAA, Soccer, Athletics and of course Golf – of which he was an avid player for much of his life. We are so pleased that he has remained a resident in our community to the present day. A big community thank you to you, Fr Hannon.

The sign on the walkway was purchased by Arva Area Development Association, and was made by Carroll Print and Arva Custom Engineering. Big thank you to them, to Niall Gormley who initiated the walkway porject and to Barney Cully for his lovely words about Fr Hannon.

Hannon’s Way is a new walkway linking St Mary’s National School to the new football pitch at St Patrick's Park Arva.

Following a competition among the 6th class children in St Mary’s National School to name this Walkway it was unanimously agreed to call it "Hannon’s Way" after our beloved former Curate Fr Donald Hannon. Ordained on June 23, 1963 Fr Hannon served in Denn, Knockbride, Ballaghameehan, Ballyjamesduff, Kinawley where he retired as Parish Priest.

In all those parishes he continually worked for the betterment of the people. Fr Hannon has given his life to the Diocese of Kilmore and after he reached retirement age, he agreed to come to Arva as a curate where in 2023 he celebrated 60 Years of priestly ministry.

He was the person mainly responsible for the refurbishment of St Patrick’s Hall with his gentle persuasion and probing. Only for Fr Hannon the hall would not have been refurbished at that time. His knowledge of grants available was unparalleled and took a huge burden off the community. Since his arrival in Arva he has endeared himself to everyone in the area. None more so than the pupils in St Mary’s National School where he was a regular visitor. He knew every student by name, and they could talk to him in an easy manner. Sport was a big topic, and he could converse on GAA, Soccer, Athletics and of course Golf – of which he was an avid player for much of his life. We are so pleased that he has remained a resident in our community to the present day. A big community thank you to you, Fr Hannon.

The sign on the walkway was purchased by Arva Area Development Association, and was made by Carroll Print and Arva Custom Engineering. Big thank you to them, to Niall Gormley who initiated the walkway porject and to Barney Cully for his lovely words about Fr Hannon.