1877 - Death of Rev. Peter Waldron, Parish Priest of Annaghdown

DEATH OF REV. PETER WALDRON, P.P., ANNADOWN.

We deeply regret to announce the decease of this estimable priest which sad event recently took place. On this day week High Mass de requiem was celebrated in the parish Church of Annadown. There was a numerous attendance of the pious parishioners. The celebrant was the Very Rev James Canon Waldron, P.P., Ballyhaunis; deacon, Rev P Kilkenny, St. Jarlath's College; Sub-deacon, Rev James Killeen, and master of ceremonies, Rev R Prendergast. In the choir were - The Most Rev Dr MacEvilly, Rev Thos McDonagh, P.P.; Very Rev Canon U J Bourke, Rev Patrick Ryan, P.P.; Rev Austin O'Dwyer, P.P.; Rev Peter Dooly, P.P., V.G., Galway; Rev John Charles, C.C.; Rev. James Ronayne, C.C.; Rev. John Flatley, C.C.; Rev. Thomas Hosty, C.C.; Rev. John McGreal, and Rev Martin Commins, C.C.

Tuam Herald, January 27, 1877

Dean Michael Waldron (1774-1869), Parish Priest of Cong, was the brother of Fr Peter Waldron, Parish Priest of Annaghdown from 1859 until his death in 1877.

DEATH OF DEAN WALDRON

We deeply regret to have this day to include in our obituary notices the death of the Venerable and truly Venerated Pastor of the Parish of Cong, the Very Rev. Michael Waldron, P.P., and Dean of the Archdiocese of Tuam. Few men have had allotted to them by an all-wise providence such a long life, he having reached the patriarchal age of 95 - and fewer still have spent such a life of sanctity, Christian piety, and usefulness, for up to the period of his fatal illness, some few months since he was, as ever, the faithful sentinel on the Watchtower, actively engaged in the discharge of the onerous duties of his sacred ministry. It is over sixty years since his ordination, forty-one of which were passed as parish priest of Cong.

His remains were this day deposited in the vault at the foot of the altar in the parish church. At 12 o'clock High Mass was celebrated, the Rev. J. O'Malley, C.C., Cong, officiated as High Priest, and the Rev. M. Brenan, and J. McEvelly as deacon and sub-deacon. Rev. P. Lavelle, P.P., preached the funeral oration; the following clergymen were also present at the funeral: - Rev. T. Hardin, P.P.; Rev. P. Conway, P.P.; Rev. E. King, P.P.; Rev. R. Hosty, P.P.; Rev. James O'Rourke, P.P.; Rev. Mr. Goode, P.P.; Rev. E. Coyne, P.P.; Rev. T. Ronayne, C.C.; Rev. H. Cahill, C.C.; Rev. Geraghty, C.C.; Rev. C. Burke, president St. Jarlath's College; Rev. Mr Keville, C.C.; Rev Mr Ralph, C.C.; and a vast concourse of the inhabitants of the parish and neighbourhood.

Ballinrobe Chronicle, September 4, 1869.

THE LATE VERY REV. M. WALDRON, V.F., P.P.

It is with every regret we have to record to-day the death of the above venerable dignitary of this great diocese, which too place at his residence, near Cong, well known as the "Royal" or "King's Rock," at an early hour on Thursday morning last, at the advanced age of ninety-five. It would almost be a waste of words to detail the many sterling priestly qualities of the venerable deceased. Kind, affectionate, tolerant, zealous in the extreme discharge of his spiritual functions, he has consummated the long career of sixty-one years in the sacred ministry, not alone without blot or blemish the very least on his upright character, but advancing with age in the paths of Christian and priestly virtue. During forty years he presided over the famous parish of Cong, of which he was the first parish priest, his predecessor being its last mitred abbot. The venerable and truly benevolent dean had been ailing for some months back, and, we need hardly add, bore his illness with true Christian resignation and fortitude. His obsequies were celebrated at the Catholic Parochial Church of Cong on Saturday, amid the sobs and tears of his bereaved parishioners, to the greater part of whom he opened the gates of the church in the waters of baptism, and edified by example. High Mass was celebrated by his zealous, indefatigable curate, the Rev. John O'Malley, who from the date of the deceased's first attack, continued to watch over him more with the affection of a child than the attachment of a friend, hardly ever parting the bedside of his venerable pastor day or night for the last few weeks. Rev. M. Brennan acted as deacon; Rev. Jeremiah McEvilly as sub-deacon; and Rev. Father Lavelle as master of ceremonies. The following clergymen assisted in the Mass: -Rev Thomas Hardiman, P.P.; Rev. Eugene Coyne, P.P.; Rev. James O'Rorke, P.P.; Rev. Edward King, P.P.; Rev. Richard Hosty, P.P.; Rev. Peter Conway, P.P.; Rev. John Goode, P.P.; Rev. H. Cahill, C.C.; Rev. Thomas Ronayne, C.C.; Rev. Martin Ralph, C.C.; Rev. Peter Geraghty, C.C., &c. Several of the leading gentry of the neighbourhood also attended the funeral -Mayo Examiner.

Freeman's Journal, September 8, 1869.