Tailor-made to be 'one of a kind': tributes to Seamus Hasson

Tributes have been paid to Seamus Hasson, one of Derry’s best known tailors, who has died, aged 92. Seamus (pictured), from Dungiven, well-known for his contribution to both the Benbradagh and the Winding Roe magazines, passed away last week at Edenvale Care Home. Following Requiem Mass at St Patrick’s Church, Dungiven, he was laid to rest in the adjoining church yard. Seamus’s family were renowned for their tailoring business which spanned across six generations of the family. The family ran tailor shops in at Spencer Road in Derry, Maghera and Dungiven and Seamus, a fluent Irish speaker, was heavily involved in the business. On completing his City and Guilds in London’s East End, the Jewish Mecca of tailoring, he returned home a short time before the Hasson family had to give up their Maghera drapery shop in 1960 due to the Coleraine road realignment scheme. Prior to this, Seamus, a former pupil of St Columb’s in Derry, was studying to become a priest, however poor health forced him to give up this dream. He spent two years with the African Missions Society (S.M.A.) before moving to Dromantine College in County Down where he studied Theology. It was during his time at Dromantine College that Seamus suffered a serious breakdown in health which set him back two years. After recovering, Seamus returned to college, this time with America in his sights. Unfortunately, his health deteriorated sharply and in March 1946, aged 22, Seamus was given the Last Rites and was admitted to Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry. After making a recovery, Seamus was forced to abandon the idea of a missionary service in either Africa or America. Instead, he decided to enrol in the Medical Faculty of Queen’s University under dentistry. In an interview with Winding Roe in 2002, Seamus recalled how life in Belfast was a very different scene. There he shared a room with the late John P. McGill, of Dernaflaw, who he said was ‘never dull company’. “My first medical exams, physics and botany, were in March 1950 and I got satisfactory results,” he wrote in the publication. “I came home for a spring break – only to get very different results. My health was again a matter for concern so I spent the rest of 1950 either in bed or in hospital. That was the end of my medical/ dental career. By now I had enough of studies and exams, so I edged myself into the family business of tailoring and drapery.” Aside from the family business, Seamus had a number of other interests. He was instrumental in launching the Dungiven Handball club back in 1985. The club ran for almost 20 years with Seamus playing a pivotal role in its development. Seamus was also interested in the history of the local area and was heavily involved in the Benbradagh Magazine, and more recently the Winding Roe publication. He wrote his last article for the publication two years ago, aged 90. Aidan Farren of the Winding Roe committee paid tribute to Seamus. “Seamus will be remembered well as the driving force behind the Benbradagh Magazine which ran for 20 years,” he said. “He also made great contribution to the Winding Roe magazine which has been in existence for 14 years. “He had a wider understanding of the area and will be badly missed by everyone. “He was one of a kind,” concluded Aidan.