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HEARTFELT tributes were paid this week following the passing of Canon Pat Horgan. Hundreds are expected to attend the funeral Mass which takes place this morning, at 10.30am, in St Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney.

Canon Horgan celebrated the diamond jubilee (60th anniversary) of his ordination with a Mass at The Church of the Resurrection, Killarney, last year.
A native of Dromtariffe in north Cork, Canon Pat was one of the most respected clerics in the Kerry diocese.
He passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning in Marymount Hospice in Cork.

Canon Horgan was ordained on June 19, 1955, after completing his studies in Maynooth. He started off his life as a priest in Salford Diocese in Manchester.
He went on to serve in Rathmore parish before moving to Moyvane in north Kerry.

After spending time in Ballyferriter he took up a teaching post at St Brendan’s College in Killarney. He would go on to spend 21 years teaching French and Maths at the college.

In 1978 the canon was appointed principal of St Michael’s in Listowel and during his seven years there oversaw the building of an extension to the school.
He returned to parish work in 1985 and was the parish priest at Our Lady of St Brendan’s in Tralee until 1996. In July 1996 he became the parish priest of Rathmore.

Canon Pat was involved in many community organisations including Kerry Mental Health Association. He retired from fulltime ministry a decade ago but remained very active in the diocese.

Canon Pat was a founder member of the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society. His friend and colleague on the committee, society chairman Jerry O’Grady, described Canon Pat as “inspirational”. “No one has put more energy and passion into achieving our objectives, than Fr Pat,” said Mr O’Grady.
“In his 85th year, his drive and enthusiasm were undiminished and he was a shining example to us all.”
Mr O’Grady added: “We have lost a friend, a colleague and a leader. May he rest in peace.”
 

 
The late Canon Pat Horgan. PICTURE: EAMONN KEOGH