Fr John B. Bannon : Short Biography

Father John B. Bannon was born in Rooskey, in the civil parish of Termonbarry, County Roscommon, on the 29th of December 1829. He was sent to school in Castleknock, Dublin. Called to a life in the priesthood, Bannon entered the seminary at St Patrick's College, Maynooth. On the 16th of June 1853, Bannon was ordained as a priest. 

Not long after he was ordained, Bannon went to America where he took up a place in the Archdiocesse of St Louis, Missouri. In 1858 he built a church named St John the Apostle and Evangelist. 

During the civil war, Bannon served on the side of the confederate army. His postition was one of religious purpose. He acted as minister at a number of important battles. 

In 1863, Bannon was asked to return to Ireland on a mission of recruitment for the confederate forces. He arrived in November of that year. He began to campaign heavily in an attempt to discourge Irish men from emigrating to join the Union forces in America. He even went so far as travelling to the Vatican to seek official support for the confederacy from the Catholic church. A venture which was unsuccessful. 

After the civil war ended Banon was no longer permitted to preach in St Louis. As a result of this he decided to stay in Ireland. He died in Dublin on the 14th of July 1913 and is buried in Glasnevin cemetery.