Fr Seán F. Doherty was born on 22 March 1935 at Knockagulla, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare.
He was educated at Rathbane NS, Lisdoonvarna and St Mary’s College, Galway. He came to St Columban’s, Dalgan Park Navan in September 1953 and was ordained priest on 21 December 1959.
Seán was assigned to Korea and, after initial language studies, he served as assistant on Huksan Island, then in Jang Seung and later in Muan – all in the southern Diocese of Kwangju.
On returning to Korea after his first home visit to Ireland in 1967, he served as pastor in Shin Chang, on Cheju Island, and later in Tjang Heung in Chollanamdo Province.
In May 1971 he returned to Ireland. Over the next four years he did supply work in a variety of locations such as Glengormley Parish in Belfast; in Killavil, Cloonloo; Foxford in the Diocese of Achonry, and in Castleisland, in the Diocese of Kerry.
There followed a further four years in Korea, from 1975 to 1979 serving as pastor in Hwa Sun near Kwangju.
Returning to Ireland, he served as chaplain to the Sisters of Charity in Donnybrook and spent periods in the Cathedral in Monaghan; in Beleek, Co Fermanagh; in the Cathedral in Newry; in Latton, Co Monaghan; in Dromard, Skryne, Killala; in Scotshouse, Co Monaghan, in Lahinch, Co Clare, and in Belcoo, Co Fermanagh.
In between these many assignments he spent six months with the Irish Army at the Curragh; a summer as temporary chaplain to the US Army in Frankfurt, Germany; six months with the Irish Army in Gormanstown, Co Meath; and a two-year period with the Irish Army at Finner, Co Donegal.
Seán had a particular gift for working with men and seemed to have enjoyed these assignments. He was very intelligent, well-read, and with a wide range of interests. It could be said that he did not suffer fools gladly, but he was also a very kind person. He had to suffer long bouts of illness during the course of his life and particularly in his final years.
Seán died on Mission Sunday 21 October 2018 at St Columban’s Nursing Home in Dalgan Park.
May he rest in peace.
