The death has taken place of Pat Hanrahan, Ard Aoibhinn, Limerick Road, Ennis, who was a widely known and popular retired Ennis businessman. A native of the town, he was born in 1932.
A son of Tom and Mary Hanrahan, who owned a licensed premises at Abbey Street, Pat was proud of his Ennis background. He was educated at Ennis CBS, after which he went to work in Jack Moloney’s grocery shop on Parnell Street. It was during that time that he met his wife-to-be, the former Mary Sexton from Mullagh, who worked in the nearby Dervan’s shop.
In 1953, Pat emigrated to England to take up employment with Ford’s of Dagenham and, while there, he and Mary were married by Clare-born priest, Fr Patrick Carmody. The first of their children, Deirdre, was born in England.
Always longing for his native town, Pat made the decision, in 1963, to return to Ennis and he and Mary set up their first grocery shop in St Michael’s Villas. It was well supported by the local community and they were encouraged, four years later, to build a big supermarket nearby. It prospered and became one of the best-known business premises in Ennis, attracting customers from all over the town and outlying areas.
In November 2000, Pat and Mary decided to retire from business. Many tributes were paid to them and it was said that, apart from being a successful businessman, Pat was also known to help customers who met difficult times.
He was also a keen sportsman. He enjoyed a game of golf and the social scene at Ennis Golf Club, where he was club captain in the early 1980s. He was also keen on horse-racing and looked forward every year to going to the Grand National in Aintree.
He owned a few racehorses in partnership with the late Michael Guerin, the late Gerry Tierney and Michael Fitzpatrick and they attended many point-to-point meetings.
Pat was also a big supporter and an enthusiastic member of the Spancilhill Gun Club. He enjoyed a large circle of friends throughout his life. Among them was Des Lynam, the Ennis-born British television and radio presenter, who covered many of the world’s major sporting events.
A big blow to Pat and Mary in 1971 was the death of their six-year-old son, Thomas, in a road accident while on his way home from school.
Pat did not enjoy the best of health in recent years and, for the past seven years, was in Carrigoran House, Newmarket-on-Fergus. It was there that he died on March 23.
After reposing at his home at Ard Aoibhinn, his remains arrived at Ennis Cathedral the following morning for funeral mass, the chief celebrant of which was Fr Fergal O’Neill. Among the con-celebrants was Fr Carmody, Cooraclare. The funeral took place after mass at Drumcliffe cemetery. There were large and representative attendances on both days.
Members of Ennis Golf Club paid their respects with a guard of honour on the day of the funeral.
Pat is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Pat; daughters, Deirdre and Marie; brother, Michael, from the UK; sons-in-law, Michael and John; daughter-in-law, Orla; and five grandchildren.
Motoring editor - The Clare Champion
Former Chairman and voting member of Irish Motoring Writers' Association