There has been deep sorrow following the death of local priest Fr. Brendan Shannon (88) on December 9, with his family leading tributes to the selfless figure who helped many people around the world.

Although his roots were firmly in Fermanagh, Fr. Brendan's ministry brought him to many parts of the globe, including Africa, the USA and The West Indies.

Paying tribute to the popular priest on behalf of his surviving family, his nephew, Eamon Shannon, said: “He was ordained in 1962; his first vocation was in Zambia, where not only did he attempt to spread the word of God, but he also spent eight years as an English teacher in St. Aloysius’ Secondary School.

"He spoke fondly of those years and how his young students loved learning.

“He recalled teaching Shakespeare under a banana tree while listening to a vinyl record of Richard Burton reading Macbeth.

"He took great pride in the fact that many of his students, who came from mud huts in the bush, went on to university and became high academic achievers.

"Indeed, some of those same students kept in contact with him throughout the years."

Fr. Brendan’s missionary work took him all over the world, his family said.

“Fr. Brendan was a very practical and energetic man. If he wasn’t building better housing in Zambia, or riding his motorcycle through the bush, he could be found working in a soup kitchen in Miami, or digging drains for water pipes in Uganda.

“In the early 1970s he went to Florida, where he initially worked with the homeless. This progressed to looking after people who were battling various addictions, and those who suffered from AIDS.

"In the 1990s, his calling brought him to the West Indies, where again he worked among the poorest.”

Although he was a devoted priest, he was also a devoted family man. He returned to Fermanagh in the year 2000 to support his older brother, who was ill at the time.

During this time, Fr. Brendan became actively involved in many parishes throughout the county and bordering areas, spending many summer days with the pilgrims at Lough Derg.

His family added: “However, the call of Africa echoed loudly in his ears, and periodically he returned to Uganda.

"He undertook a variety of new projects, many of which were made possible through the generosity of individuals and groups in Fermanagh. All of these projects were life-changing for the local people.”

Speaking of how his early life influenced some of the projects he undertook as a missionary, his family said: “Fr. Brendan was born in Curragh, Lisnaskea to Eddie, a tailor, and Mary-Anne, a dressmaker, and one of his projects he undertook was the building of a dressmaking school for young women."

A young woman from the Tailoring School In Uganda, another project that Fr. Brendan was involved with, paid a fitting tribute to the late priest following his death.

She said: “Here in Uganda, we feel very sad for the loss of our beloved Fr. Brendan. He was an angel; a hero to everyone here. He helped us a lot.

"May he rest in the eternal peace of Jesus Christ, our Saviour whom he served, so generously through supporting the education of thousands of children in Uganda, and for supporting all of those who reached him for any kind of help.

“Remembering his wonderful and gentle soul, he will forever remain in our hearts. May he rest in peace. We still remember his smiles.”

Fr. Brendan Shannon’s funeral mass took place on Saturday, December 11 at St. Mary 's Church, Coa.

He was buried in St. Mary's Church Cemetery, Maguiresbridge. He was predeceased by his siblings, Kevin, Eamon, Rory, Peb, Katie, and Effie.

Funeral arrangements were carried out by John McKeegan Funeral Undertaker.