Our brother Ignatius Fennessy OFM died on 6th August 2024 in his 99th year, having lived 80 years as a professed Franciscan friar.
William was born in Waterford on 9th January 1926. He went to the Franciscan novitiate in Killarney friary in 1943 where he received the religious name, Ignatius. He celebrated his First Profession in 1944. After studies in Galway University and Rome he was ordained a priest in 1951.
Ignatius’ first appointment was to teach in the Franciscan seraphic college in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath for three years. Thereafter he was to minister in various friaries in Ireland and he also spent some year in St Isidore’s College, Rome.
In 1980 Ignatius was appointed to Dún Mhuire, the then Institute of Franciscan and Celtic studies in Killiney, Co Dublin. He was to live there until his decline in health required a move to Beechfield Nursing Home in nearby Shankill in 2020.
During his 40 years in Dún Mhuire Ignatius did outstanding work both as archivist and librarian.
He was unfailing generous with his time and in sharing his considerable knowledge and expertise - not only with visiting scholars and researchers but also with the many whose enquiries came by letter or in recent years by email. Academics and researchers throughout world had cause to be grateful for his keen mind and generous spirit.
Ignatius is survived by his twin sister, Mary; predeceased by his brothers, Fredrick, John, Fr Richard OFM, Frankie and Tony; his sisters, Sr Elizabeth, and Terrie, and regretted by his many nephews and nieces, and his Franciscan brothers.
May he rest in the peace of Christ
Funeral Arrangements
Reposing at Dun Mhuire, Seafield Rd., Killiney (A96 R590) on Wednesday, 7th August, from 4pm-7p.m.
Funeral Mass on Thursday, 8th August, at the Franciscan Church, Merchants’ Quay, Dublin at 10.30am. followed by burial at Shanganagh Cemetery.
