Fr John O'Mahony

Born: 12 December 1872, Adelaide SA
Attended Christian Brothers College, Wakefield St, Adelaide
Surveyor
Ordained Priest: 13 June 1897, Rome
Diocesan Consultor 1921
Worked in Port Augusta 1897-1904; Port Pirie 1905-1922
Died: 19 February 1922, aged 49. Buried in West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide.
Front fence and entrance gates to St Mark’s Church and future site of the Cathedral were built in his memory.
First Australian-born to be ordained for the Diocese (cf. James Redden).

Memories of Father John Mahony

Sister Carina Flaherty IBVM (niece)

Fr John’s brother was the station master at Oodnadatta until 1912. My mother remembers that Uncle John would come to visit the family once each year when they would have the privilege of going to Mass. No other priest ever came anywhere near Oodnadatta. His brother later left the railways and took over the International Hotel, Port Pirie, while Father John was stationed there. John O’Mahony was born John Mahony (no ‘O’). My mother would tell us children that when Uncle John was ordained, he decided to change his name to O’Mahony. The reason for this is not really clear. Maybe it sounded more Irish!!! Thus, there has been certain confusion in the family name ever after!