Francis McManamon. 1979 to 1996. He was born in Burrishoole, Newport, Co. Mayo on the 28th August 1913. After his secondary education in St. Jarlath's, Tuam he went in 1932 to the old Dalgan Park, near Shrule in Co. mayo, which has now completely disappeared. After his ordination there as a member of the St. Columban Missionary Society, he went to Burma in 1939 where his mission was close to the Chinese border. He was interned, along with many other Dalgan priests, by the Japanese from 1942 to 1945. He came home in 1967 for surgery but would not be allowed back by the Burmese authorities. He then went to Fiji for some years. Before 1980 her returned to Ireland where he was curate for a short time in Achonry diocese. he served in Crossna (and in Drumboylan as well after the death of Father Fannon) until his retirement in 1996. His final two years were spent in the St Columban's retirement Home in Navan. He died on the 18th October 1998.

[from: TONRA, HENRY.''PARISH OF ARDCARNE: A HISTORY''. (COOTEHALL, COUNTY ROSCOMMON: [THE AUTHOR], 2001.]

Irish and other priests, nuns, and orphan children housed in St. John's Leper Asylum, Mandalay, were safely evacuated after one priest had been killed and four, others injured by shell fire, writes Reuter's special correspondent.

The rescued party who were removed to a village north of the city consisted of 95 nuns and thirty priests, Including several Irish, French, Belgians, Americans, Italians, Germans, an Australian, two New Zealanders, and 37 Anglo-Burman orphans.

The two most cheerful priests, states the correspondent, were Father Francis McManamon (son of Mrs. McManamon and the late Mr. McManamon, of Newport, Co. Mayo), and Father Kevin Flatley, of Belfast. " We are longing for a sight of the old country." they said.

Fathers McManamon and Flatley left St. Columban's Missionary College, Navan (Maynooth Mission to China), for St. Columban's Mission, Bhamo, Burma, in 1937, having been ordained about six months previously.

Over twenty Irish priests, under Rt. Rev. Monsignor Ussher, started the Mission, which was facing good prospects when war broke out in the East.

Only Intermittent news of the mission and its staff has been received at St. Columbans', Navan, since then. Mainly from the Bhamo and Maymyo missions, the priests and nuns had been congregated in Mandalay since 1942. They were brought out of the danger zone by American service drivers in ambulances and trucks.

NOT INTERFERED WITH

The priests told the correspondent that the Japanese had not molested them, but had questioned them about. their origin and their families.

For more than a year the conditions had been good because the British left them with the school full of provisions, but when these were exhausted the food problem became difficult. Some letters were received from relatives, but they had been delayed for at least a year. Money continued to reach them In small amounts through the Church organisation.

Mother Purification, superintendent of the Asylum who is Spanish and has been In Burma for forty years, told the Exchange that the Japanese had not interfered with the working of the Asylum. "Japanese medical officers sometimes paid us a visit." she said, "and seemed impressed with the Asylum.

"There were originally 600 lepers, but 400 have died largely because their resistance was lowered by inadequate food and lack of medicines When the British left Burma they gave us a large stock of medical supplies but that has become exhausted and we could get nothing from the Japanese, although they made promises to do what they could. The Sisters lived on rice and beans." Other Irish Priests In Burma

Other priests connected with the Bhamo Mission were: Very Rev. D McAlindon. S.T.L.. Provincial Director: Rev. James Stuart, Rev. W Kehoe, Rev. B Way, Rev D Cooney, Rev T Walsh, Rev. J. Howe, D.D.; Rev C Moriarty, Rev. T. Rillstone, Rev T Murphy, Rev. T. J. Dowling, Rev M Kelly. D C.L; Rev L MacMahon, Rev J P. Cloonan. Rev. J. B Devine, Rev T McEvoy, Rev. J Kelleher, Rev. James McGonagle, Rev J Foley, Rev J. Doody, Rev M. Barry, Rev E. McGovern, Rev. L. Hickey.

Sunday Independent, March 18, 1945

Fr. McManamon received his secondary education at Jarlath's College,Tuam and was ordained to the priesthood in Dalgan Park in 1938.

He was attached to the Burma/Fiji mission of the Columban Fathers for many years.

During the Second World War he was taken prisoner by the Japanese in Burma and was incarcerated for five years, during which time he almost lost his sight. After retiring from the missions, he served in Glasgow and later in a number of parishes in the Diocese of Elphin. He is mourned by his sisters, Mrs. Sally O'Toole (Louisburgh) and Mrs. Brid Collins (Dublin); sisters-in-law, Brid McManamon (Newport) and Maud McManamon (Dublin); nephews, nieces, nieces-in-law, grandnephews, grandnieces, extended family, many friends and his Columban confreres. Just a few months ago his two brothers, Peter (England) and Joe (Newport) died suddenly in the same week. Office and prayers for the dead were given at St. Columban's Navan yesterday evening and concelebrated Requiem Mass for the repose of his soul will take place in Navan today (Wednesday) at St. Columban's. Burial will take place afterwards in the Community Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Mayo News, October 21, 1998