Date Coincidence on the Late Con O’Connor Photograph

Denis Lyons, Paddy O’Connor and Con O’Connor after mass meeting on a Sunday morning in 2002. ©Photograph: john Reidy 4-8-2002

Eleven years ago to the day: The late Con O’Connor (second from right) with neighbours from left: Denis Lyons, John Buckley, Paddy O’Connor and Tom Horan at their traditional meeting place on McGaley’s wall on Church Street after Sunday mass. ©Photograph: John Reidy 15/05/2005

I met the late Con O’Connor’s brother, Hugh on the sad occasion of Con’s reposing at Tangney’s Funeral Home yesterday evening.

Hugh pointed out one of life’s little coincidences to me concerning the date on the photograph which appeared with the notice here in The Maine Valley Post on Friday.

I took that photograph of Con and his four friends: Denis Lyons, John Buckley, Paddy O’Connor, and Tom Horan at their very regular after-mass gathering on Ger McGaley’s wall – opposite the church on 15/05/2005.

That’s 11 years ago to the day. And to the hour – on which Con will be embarking on his final journey when his remains will be taken for burial in Kilbanivane Cemetery after 11-30am mass at the Church of Saints Stephen and John this morning.

I knew I had another photograph of him from a different morning, from a different year. I went rooting back to 2002. And, on an August Sunday morning, Con was there with Denis Lyons and Paddy O’Connor in their usual dáil setting.

May God be good to him and to the family and friends mourning his loss.