Father Edward O'Hara was born in Granard, County Longford, in July 1917. After studying at St. Mel's, Longford, and St. Patrick's, Carlow, he was ordained priest on 7th June, 1942, for the archdiocese of Glasgow.
From ordination until his retirement to Knock, County Mayo, Father Ned served the "people of God" in Scotland in a dedicated and generous manner. He was appointed to Saint Augustine's, Coatbridge, in 1942, for five years. He gave of his best to young and old in that parish where his name is still, after forty years, a "household name". Because of his work those good people adopted him as a good young Irish priest determined to preach by word and example the good news of the Gospel. From 1947-1948 he continued his good work in St. Mark's, Carntyne, before being asked with the late and respected Father O'Sullivan to open the new parish of the Good Shepherd in Dalbeth. What a "half back line": O'Sullivan, Ryan and O'Hara who are all now gone to their eternal reward. They, although different in age and temperament, all had the same goal, to establish this new parish on a solid foundation by knowing the people; by visiting their homes and by showing a love and concern for them. After seven years he moved on to Saint Ninian's, Kirkintilloch, where, for twelve years with seasoned campaigners Doctor Tennant, Father McGhee, Father Gerard Dunn and Father John McGinley (all again gone to their reward), Father Ned again established himself as he continued his generous work and concern in the school, hospital and parish of the area. In 1967 he came back to one of his past loved parishes as parish priest of Saint Mark's where he was only to spend three years—short years—but as ever fruitful ones, before moving on to Saint Joseph's, Tollcross.
In 1970 he was transferred to Saint Joseph's where the immediate task was to build a church. This parish was in existence from 1893 but circumstances were such that their school and church were contained in one building. This building for years gave the opportunity to thousands for education and worship—an opportunity which was availed of eagerly and earnestly and as history shows, produced good and exemplary men and women. However the remit given to Father O'Hara by the late Bishop Ward was to build a church for these good people. With his usual zeal and enthusiasm Father Ned got things moving. Here, let it be said, he found good friends in the nuns at Saint Vincent's school. They gave him a site on which to build a church and house. By 1976 the beautifully designed church was dedicated to Saint Joseph. It contains relics of the old "school church" in the retaining of the crucifix (in the sanctuary) and the Stations of the Cross. This was Father Ned's idea and it gave him great pleasure to marry the old with the new and give the people a place of worship in keeping with their faith and loyalty. Father O'Hara will be remembered in Saint Joseph's for the beautiful church and house but he will also be remembered gratefully for his leadership and example. He was a people's priest, a priest of the people, one who did not seek popularity at the expense of church teaching. He was strict in his own life and expected a good standard from all for whom he was responsible. He did not take easily to change. This characteristic was not due in any way to stubbornness or insubordination but because of his highly disciplined understanding of his position as pastor of the flock, feeding them on good nourishing food.
After spending the most of seven years from 1979 working at Our Lady's shrine at Knock, Father Ned's health began to show the signs of strain and he was forced to retire. The last two years or so he spent commuting between Granard and Spain where his sister Ellen had made a home for him when he felt in need of a change.
Father Ned had many outstanding qualities—too numerous to mention—but if one in particular were to be noted it would be his sincerity. So often we will say sincere sympathy or sincere thanks but in this case we use the word in its true meaning when we say that Father Ned O'Hara was a sincere friend to all of us.
Father O'Hara died suddenly in April 1988 in his own beloved church in Granard saying his rosary with his own folk in preparation for Mass—the Mass for vocations. The Master surely said to Ned that evening "Well done good and faithful servant, come and enjoy your rest".
Mass was celebrated in the local church by Father Sheridan, the chancellor of the archdiocese, representing Archbishop Winning. In a touching panegyric, Father Sheridan recounted many of the good things accomplished by Father Ned in the archdiocese and recorded the sincere appreciation and thanks of the archbishop, priests and people of Glasgow to a good priest. R.I.P. |
