UNION NEWS
Date : Friday, 13th December 2013Fr Séan P. Farragher, CSSp (1922-2013)
 
Fr Séan P. Farragher, CSSp was born in 1922 in The Neale - An Éill  in South Co Mayo. After completing his studies in Ballinrobe CBS and Rockwell College, Co Tipperary, he joined the Holy Ghost Congregation in 1939. Studying at Kimmage Manor and UCD, he was awarded a BA, MA, and H.Dip.Ed (and later a Sarah Purser Scholarship in the History of European Painting). He was ordained in 1948 and was appointed to Blackrock College where until 1987 he taught Religion, Irish and English and organised and ran a very successful photography club.
Having researched the history of both the Holy Ghost Congregation and Blackrock College, he began publishing his significant findings in 1954. In 1957 he was appointed archivist and his meticulous research has continued to this day. His published works are many and varied and include books on the founders of the Congregation and of Blackrock College, on Bishop Joseph Shanahan CSSp and Éamon de Valera, as well as a collection of short biographies of members of the Irish Spiritan Province and biographical material on notable past students. He was a welcomed contributor to publications relating to these subjects and to Irish history. In 1988 he was awarded a Ph.D. from UCG for his work on Père Leman, CSSp, Educator and Missioner, and founder of Blackrock College.
His photography club yielded remarkable results. His students over the years have won numerous awards in both Ireland and England, and in the German-sponsored European Young Photographers Competition. Many of his students have gone on to become well-known photographers. He himself won several Photographic Society of Ireland competitions and in various open competitions, notably in Irelands Eye.
Above all, however, Father Séan was a man of the Spirit and the heart. His dedication to things of the Spirit, his gentle presence and his deep authenticity impressed all his students. It is not surprising that during his time teaching in the College many students followed his footsteps and became priests; a good number of them joined the Holy Ghost Congregation. All over the globe, particularly in Developing World countries, among the poor, these past-students speak with great fondness of their former teacher, Fr Séan Vicky Farragher.
Father Séan was also a great upholder of the dignity and rights of women and had a very special place in his heart for the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Thérèse of Lisieux, patroness of the missions.
His love and dedication to his own family was a very big part of his life. They were never far from his mind and heart.
Fr Séan was as fully occupied as he ever was, despite increasing bouts of sickness and suffering, right up until the week before he was hospitalised. For him there were no half measures. He eminently fulfilled the motto of the College, Fides et Robur. The College has been so fortunate to have had this treasure for so long, and he will be sorely missed. In many ways his death signals the end of an era. His going leaves an immense gap. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal dÃlis.
We offer our prayerful sympathies to his family, relatives, confrères and friends.
Funeral Arrangements:
Remains reposing in the Blackrock College Chapel from 3.00 pm on Sunday, 15th December, followed by Evening Prayer at 5p.m.
Funeral Mass in the College Chapel at 10.30a.m. on Monday 16th December, followed by burial in Shanganagh Cemetery.
