Social Affairs

Hundreds turn out for removal of Christy O’Connor Jnr

Taoiseach, Ben Dunne and Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh pay respects to family of late golfer

Ann O’Connor, wife of the late Christy O’Connor, and their daughter Ann, at the Church of Saint John the Apostle, Knocknacarra, Galway. Photograph: Joe O’Shaughnessy.
Ann O’Connor, wife of the late Christy O’Connor, and their daughter Ann, at the Church of Saint John the Apostle, Knocknacarra, Galway. Photograph: Joe O’Shaughnessy.
John Fallon
Tue Jan 12 2016 - 07:22

Taoiseach Enda Kenny, businessman Ben Dunne and former GAA commentator Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh were among the mourners who queued throughout Monday to express their sympathy to the family of golfer Christy O'Connor Jnr in Galway.

O’Connor’s uncle and mentor, Christy O’Connor Snr (91), was unable to attend his removal to Galway Cathedral and sent his condolences from his Dublin home.

A family member said Christy Snr, who had nurtured his nephew and had helped develop him into a Ryder Cup player like himself, was extremely upset at the sudden death of his protégé.

Albert O’Connor carries a montage of photograps of his late brother Christy O’Connor Jnr, into the Church of Saint John the Apostle, Knocknacarra, Galway. Photograph: Joe O’Shaughnessy.
Albert O’Connor carries a montage of photograps of his late brother Christy O’Connor Jnr, into the Church of Saint John the Apostle, Knocknacarra, Galway. Photograph: Joe O’Shaughnessy.

Hundreds queued for over four hours at St Anthony’s Room within the Church of St John the Apostle in Knocknacarra, Galway, to express their sympathy to the O’Connor family.

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The church is adjacent to the land which was home to Galway Golf Club for the early decades of the last century. This was where Christy O’Connor Snr was introduced to the sport, and he, in turn, brought his nephew to follow in his footsteps.

The golfer’s wife Ann, son Nigel, daughter Ann, and extended family greeted mourners throughout the afternoon and early evening at the church in Knocknacarra where the Ryder Cup hero lay in repose.

Thousands of people are expected to attend his funeral mass at noon on Tuesday when his lifelong friend, former mayor of Galway John Mulholland, will deliver a eulogy.

Late son

The golfer, who died suddenly while on holiday in Tenerife last week with his wife, will be laid to rest with his 17-year old son Darren, who was killed in a road crash in 1998.

O’Connor Jnr was a regular visitor back to Knocknacarra and Salthill and maintained friendships which begun when he was growing up and attending national school in the Claddagh.

Hundreds of neighbours from Knocknacarra, Salthill, Clybawn, Ballymoneen and Barna, were among the mourners to pay respects to the O'Connor family throughout yesterday afternoon and evening, with the mayor of Galway, Cllr Frank Fahy, expressing his sympathy on behalf of the city.

Mr O'Connor, who had been awarded the freedom of his native city and was the recipient of an hororary degree at NUI Galway and who was a Freeman of Galway, will be laid to rest in Rahoon cemetery.