Former ‘Irish Times’ letters editor Seán Hogan laid to rest

CONOR KANE

The former letters editor of The Irish Times, Seán Hogan, was buried yesterday in his native Cashel.

His brother, Frank Hogan, told mourners Seán had a "long and exciting career" with The Irish Times, having started in the library and then moving to the advertising department before becoming letters editor and then obituaries editor before his retirement. He was known for his tenor voice and "pitched in with his beloved Rathmines & Rathgar Musical Society" many times, as well as playing bridge "with some noted luminaries".

An inspiration to him for many years was his "lifelong friendship" with author and former Irish Times journalist Maeve Binchy, who died last year. Seán is survived by his mother Kitty, brother Frank and sister Alicia and was pre-deceased by his father, John.

Mr Hogan retired from The Irish Times in 2003, and was 65 when he died. He had suffered with ill health for several years.

'Productive life'
A large crowd was present at the Church of St John the Baptist in Cashel yesterday for the funeral Mass which was concelebrated by a number of priests while the chief celebrant was Fr Jack Meade, president of Rockwell College, where Seán Hogan had been a pupil.

Mr Hogan joined The Irish Times in the early 1970s and had "a productive life and a full life", Fr Meade said in his homily. During his career Mr Hogan was involved in the initiation of The Irish Times Newspaper in the Classroom project, as well as Music in the Classroom and The Irish Times literature prizes and Irish Times debates , including a series at Harvard University.

Among those who attended yesterday were former deputy editor and director of The Irish Times Pat O'Hara, former director Séamus McCague, journalist and author Kevin Myers, Eileen Lynam and Rita Hughes from The Irish Times editorial office, Síle Sheehy from the education section, and former staff members Jackie Gallagher and Seán Mac Cárthaigh. The editor, Kevin O'Sullivan, was represented by Eoin McVey. Also present were pianist John O'Conor and his wife Mary O'Conor and conductor Gearóid Grant.