Glenmore Co. Kilkenny
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From Danny’s Files: Master and Mrs. Murphy, of Glenmore National School
Today, we are going to highlight two National School Teachers who with their service combined taught for 90 years in local schools educating and influencing hundreds of students. Danny Dowling in his vast Glenmore files, had a copy of the newspaper article covering their joint retirement from Glenmore National School in 1964 (New Ross Standard, Fri. 24 July 1964, p. 5). Michael Murphy retired after 45 years of teaching (New Ross Standard, Fri. 24 July 1964, p. 5) as did his wife Ellen Murphy (New Ross Standard, Sat. 19 June 1971, p. 3).
Master Michael Murphy (c. 1896-1988)
Michael Murphy was a native of the Co. Cork Gaeltacht area of Inchigeela. According to his obituary he was a native Irish speaker and was active in the Cork/Kerry region during the War of Independence and later took the Republican side with de Valera in the Irish Civil War. He qualified as a national teacher in his mid-twenties (Munster Express, Fri. 12 Aug. 1988, p. 16).
Master Murphy was first appointed to teach at Listerlin, Tullogher, in 1919. After being appointed to Listerlin National School, Michael married Ellen Kavanagh of Glenpipe, Tullogher. For 28 years Michael remained at Listerlin then taught for 7 years at Ballyfacey National School. Among other activities Michael was involved with the Tullogher Athletic Club and was the Chairman in 1938 when his father died (New Ross Standard, Fri. 9 Dec. 1938, p. 8). Unfortunately his father’s name is not recorded in the article and efforts to locate Master Murphy’s birth records were not successful.
In 1954, Master Murphy was appointed principal of Glenmore National School (New Ross Standard, Fri. 24 July 1964, p. 5). In 1958, under Master Murphy the new Glenmore National School was opened. A remarkable feature of Michael Murphy’s career was that during his 45 years’ service he never missed one day of work through illness (New Ross Standard, Fri. 24 July 1964, p. 5).
Mrs. Ellen Murphy née Kavanagh (1896 -1971)
Ellen Murphy née Kavanagh was born on 10 October 1896 in Glenpipe to Patrick Kavanagh (farmer) and his wife Mary Quinn. Ellen’s parents were married on 2 May 1879 at Rosbercon. Patrick Kavanagh was from Tinnicarry, Borris, and Mary Quinn was from Glenpipe. Information recorded on the marriage record reveals that the bride’s father was James Quinn (deceased farmer) and the father of the groom was Arthur Kavanagh (farmer).
The known children born to Patrick Kavanagh and Mary Kavanagh née Quinn included:
[1] Arthur Kavanagh (b. 20 May 1882); [2] Anne Kavanagh (b. 10 July 1884); [3] Catherine Kavanagh (b. 1 May 1886); [4] Bridget Kavanagh (b. 1 Jan. 1889); [5] James Kavanagh (27 Nov. 1890); [6] Johanna Kavanagh (b. 1 Aug. 1893) and [7] Ellen Kavanagh (b.10 Oct. 1896). According to Ellen’s obituary she was the last surviving member of her family. Her brother James became the “Very Rev. James Kavanagh, P.P. Leeds, who helped in Eamonn de Valera’s release from Lincoln prison by sending messages in Latin” (New Ross Standard, Sat. 19 June 1971, p. 3).
Ellen Murphy née Kavanagh began her teaching career in Listerlin and Tullogher. She was appointed to Glenmore National School in 1947. “During her association with Glenmore her pupils won the Ossory Plain Chant Cup on two occasions, and also took a prominent part in the Feile na Scoil annual programme in Waterford city. She also conducted the local parish choir in an outstanding manner, which earned for her the appreciation of the priests and people of the parish” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 24 July 1964, p. 5).
When the couple retired, gifts were presented, and “Very Rev. William Brennan, P.P. manager of the school paid a glowing tribute to Master and Mrs. Murphy for their excellent work in education and social spheres in the parish, and wished them many happy years to enjoy their well-earned retirement. Mr Murphy thanked Father Brennan for his kind remarks regarding the couple’s long association with Glenmore, of which they had many happy memories. They had always the happiest relations between the reverend manager, teachers and pupils of the parish, and thanked all concerned for their generous gesture to make their retirement” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 24 July 1964, p. 5).
In the retirement article it was recorded that the couple had five children who all became professionals. Two of their sons, Michael and Timothy were doctors, a third son, Patrick was a vet and both their daughters, Maureen and Peggy became National Teachers. At the time of their retirement in 1964, Dr. Michael Murphy, was in Northern Rhodesia; Patrick Murphy, was a VS in New Ross; Timothy Murphy, was at University College Dublin; Mrs. Peggy O’Dwyer, N.T. at Carlow and Mrs. Maureen Kervick, N.T. at Enniscorthy (New Ross Standard, Fri. 24 July 1964, p. 5).
Top or Fifth Row (left to right): Kathleen Roche, May Cashin, Alice Aylward, Betty Walsh, Kitty Kirwin, Jimmy Kirwin, Willie Green, Peter Doran, Neddie O Keefe, Mikey Power, John McDonald, John Ennett.
Fourth Row: Kathleen Ryan, Mary O Connor, Mary O Keefe, Mary Ryan, Nellie Dowling, Eily Doolin, Eily Ready, Mary Kirwin (Robinstown), Marguerite Ennett, Mary Kirwin (Gaulestown), Kathleen Linegar, Anna Kirwin, Kathleen Kirwin, Master Murphy.
Third Row: Bridget Hoynes, Breda Hartley, Eily Kirwin, Peter O Connor, John Murphy, Micheal Hoynes, Tom Dunphy, Michael Green, Willie Walsh, Tom Kirwin, Mary O Hanlon, Pat Walsh, Willie Ennett, Teachers- Mrs. Murphy, Miss Eileen Kearney.
Second Row: Johnny Halligan, James Ennett, Mary Hoynes, Alice Kirwin, Michael Ryan, Michael McDonald, Neddie Long, Noel Kehoe, John Walsh, Neddie Roche, Billy Boland, Eamon Walsh.
Front Row: Ann Linegar & Pat McDonald. (10 year old Billy Boland (bottom row) caught a wild hare on his way to school)
After Retirement
In 1971 while Dr. Michael Murphy and Dr. Tim Murphy were home on holiday from Zambia they were with their parents visiting Inchigeela, County Cork when Ellen became ill and suddenly died. She was noted as a talented musician and many of her former pupils had found their places in key positions in church and lay professions and trades in Ireland and abroad. She was survived by her husband and five children and interment took place in Mullinarrigle cemetery after Requiem Mass in the adjoining church (New Ross Standard, Sat. 19 June 1971, p. 3).
Michael Murphy survived his wife by 17 years. He died at the age of 92 on 19 July 1988. His retirement interests included history and his obituary noted that he weekly met with friends in Mullinavat to play cards. One former student now in his late 60’s recalled that Master Murphy wasn’t excitable and spent a lot of time trying to explain vowels to his young students. Mrs. Murphy could make the old piano sing and the children loved it when she sat down to play.
In addition to the years of service Master Murphy and Mrs. Murphy provided in educating local children they reared a distinguished and accomplished family. [1] Dr. Michael Murphy at that time of his father’s death was living in Saudi Arabia; [2] Dr. Tim Murphy (c. 1939-1999) died in London at the age of 60 (New Ross Standard, Wed. 2 June 1999, p. 90); [3] Patrick Murphy died in late 1989. He attended St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny and qualified as a veterinary surgeon from U.C.D. He practiced with Tony Murphy, New Ross then went on to work for the Dept. of Agriculture. He was the veterinary inspector at Callan Bacon Factory, Clover Meats, Waterford and later at Dawn Pork and Bacon complex at Granagh, Kilmacow (Munster Express, Fri. 5 January 1990, p. 14). [4] Maureen Murphy N.T. in 1961, married William Kervick (c. 1920-1976) of Enniscorthy, Wexford (New Ross Standard, Fri 11 Aug 1961, p. 2). William died suddenly at the age of 56 in 1976 (Munster Express, Fri. 23 April 1976, p. 7) and Maureen died just last year on the 29th of April 2020. [5] Peggy Murphy N.T. married Jack O’Dwyer of Drumdowney, Slieverue and for many years they lived in Derry.
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The featured photo above is the old Glenmore Boys’ National School. The photo was taken in 2019.
Special thanks to Jackie Walsh for sharing the photos of the 1952 Glenmore Plain Chant Group. The photo of Master Murphy was cropped from a larger photo taken at Glenmore in 1954 or 1955.
Please send any corrections or further information, photos you would like to share to glenmore.history@gmail. com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
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The Killing of James Freany at Christmastime 1884
On the 15th of December 1884, a farmer named James Freany, was returning home from Waterford when he was attacked a half a mile from the Newrath police station and died at the Waterford Workhouse Hospital from the injuries he sustained in the attack. According to the newspaper accounts of the murder trial James Freany was about 50 years of age, living at Fahy, Mullinavat and left a widow and four children. His killer was a young farm labourer named James Walsh. James Freney’s death certificate records his death as the 27th of December at the workhouse. His death cert gives his address as Bigwood, he was married, 37 years of age, a farmer and died of inflammation of the brain caused by “strike of whip inflicted by James Walsh at Newrath.” The death cert was received from Edmond Power, Coroner from Waterford after an inquest held on the 28th of December 1884.
The Attack
According to the testimony of James Freany’s employee, Michael Bolger, and Freany’s neighbor, Mrs. Margaret Doyle, the three went to Grannagh on the morning of the 15th of December to sell poultry. They were not paid at Grannagh and had to travel into Waterford City to collect their money. They were heading home in a horse drawn cart at 12:30 in the afternoon when they passed Phelan’s coal yard, at Newrath, where Bolger and Doyle saw the defendant James Walsh. Although Bolger denied that anything was said to the defendant, James Walsh, Mrs. Doyle stated that both Bolger and Freany shouted, but she couldn’t make out what was said (Waterford Mirror and Tramore Visitor, Thur. 12 March 1885, p. 3).
About a quarter to half a mile further up the road the defendant James Walsh jumped over the road side ditch and ran behind the horse drawn cart with a stone in one hand and a hunting whip in the other. Mrs. Doyle upon seeing the defendant rushing toward the cart said to the defendant, “If you leave a hand on these men I’ll prosecute you.” Walsh threw a stone and hit Freany just above his left eyebrow. Freany staggered, fell to the ground, and the defendant, James Walsh, struck him twice in the head with the handle end of the hunting whip. Bolger jumped down, went to Freany and called for Margaret Doyle to run for the police. She refused and said that she would stay with the badly injured Freany. As Bolger set off running for Newrath the defendant threw stones at him (Waterford Mirror and Tramore Visitor, Thur. 12 March 1885, p. 3).
The Newrath constables were soon on the scene and placed James Freany on a car and escorted him to the Workhouse Hospital in Waterford. When James Freany arrived at the Workplace Hospital he was examined by a number of doctors because of his precarious condition. They found the skull completely fractured, and brain and blood protruding from the wound. “No hope of recovery was entertained” (Munster Express, Sat. 20 Dec. 1884, p. 4). In the meantime, Constable Reynolds at the scene of the attack began to give pursuit and saw a man and woman some distance off. The man went into a field and Reynold’s overtook Miss Mary Duggan, James Walsh’s employer. Miss Duggan, resided at Farnogue, Mullinavat. Reynold’s took possession of the hunting whip that James Walsh had given to Miss Duggan after the attack (Waterford Mirror and Tramore Visitor, Thur. 12 March 1885, p. 3).
Attempted to Avoid Arrest
Reynolds and another constable continued to pursue James Walsh, they traced him to Bishop’s Hall and from there to Tory Hill, where he took to the fox covers, and they lost him. Sergeant Twiss, of Newrath, and one of his men disguised themselves, and proceeded to Farnogue to the [Denis] Duggan house. When they knocked at the door they were mistaken for tramps and told that they could not get any relief. They insisted on entering, and when the Sergeant “made known his business” he was told Walsh had not been there that day, and he was not expected that night. The Sergeant insisted on Duggan accompanying him to the Delahunty public house. Twiss told Duggan that he thought Walsh might be there and he needed Duggan to identify Walsh. Duggan accompanied the sergeant, and they reached Delahunty’s where they had a drink; but Walsh was not there. When Duggan got into an argument with others Sergeant Twiss slipped out and went back to Duggan’s house. When he entered through the kitchen door he found Walsh sitting at the fire. Walsh had just arrived. Walsh was handcuffed, arrested and at 10 o’clock lodged in the Newrath lockup (Munster Express, Sat. 20 Dec. 1884, p. 4).
The Trial
The Munster Express published that an Inquest was held into James Freany’s death on the 19th (sic) of December. The newspaper reported that the inquest jury were of the opinion that James Walsh received great provocation (Munster Express, Sat. 3 Jan. 1885, p. 4). In addition to the statements made by Michael Bolger and Mrs. Margaret Doyle other statements were reported in the newspaper from an inquiry held by Resident Magistrate Welch shortly after Walsh’s arrest. William O’Neill, a lad, deposed that after Freany passed Manning’s public house at Newrath, he saw Walsh get in over the wall and run along inside it up the road. The alleged provocation was based on the statements made by Miss Mary Duggan the defendant’s employer. She deposed that she saw “Walsh at Phelan’s store at Newrath, when Freany, Bolger, and the woman Doyle, passed in a cart; heard them shout, as they passed, the words perjurer and land-grabber” which were directed toward James Walsh ((Munster Express, Sat. 20 Dec. 1884, p. 4). It is not clear how James Walsh could be labelled a land grabber as he had no interest in any land.
In March 1885, James Walsh stood trial in what the press dubbed the Newrath Murder Case. Walsh pled not guilty to the charge of murder. He was defended by a Barrister named Lover who was instructed by Solicitor T.F. Strange (1812-1897) (Waterford Mirror and Tramore Visitor, Thur. 12 March 1885, p. 3). [Thomas F. Strange’s family owned the Aylwardstown House and Estate in Glenmore for a couple generations. Thomas F. Strange is buried in Killivory Graveyard, Glenmore.]
The first witness called at the murder trial was County Surveyor, W. L’Estrange Duffin, who produced a map showing the distance from Phelan’s coal yard to where Freany was attacked. It was 414 yards. The Crown also called Michael Bolger and Mrs. Margaret Doyle. They gave evidence consistent with previous statements. Barrister Lover with apparently little to work with attempted to show that the victim Freany was of bad character. Mr. Lover asked Michael Bolger if the deceased was a sober man…the witness replied that he was not. The witness was asked if there was ill feeling between the Freany’s and the Duggan’s (the defendant’s employer and cousin). Mr. Lover asked if the bad blood between the families was in consequence of the Duggan’s having got Freany’s brother bound over to the peace for calling them landgrabbers and other names. The witness denied that the deceased called the defendant an informer and perjurer that day and said he did not know about any bad blood. In cross examining Mrs. Margaret Doyle, Barrister Lover asked if she saw Miss Duggan that day. The witness said that she saw Miss Duggan when Freany was on the ground. He then asked what Miss Duggan said and the witness replied that Miss Duggan said, “he was long looking for that.” Mr. Lover objected to the answer and the judge overruled the objection and responded, “You opened it yourself, but it should not have been asked.” This was apparently the end of the first day of the Newrath murder trial and the Waterford Mirror concluded that the jury convicted James Walsh of the manslaughter of James Freany (Waterford Mirror and Tramore Visitor, Thur. 12 March 1885, p. 3.)
However, further information concerning the trial was found in The Clonmel Chronicle (Wed. 18 March 1885, p. 4). An independent witness, Michael Whelan testified for the Crown. He testified that he was working on the road and stated that he saw the attack. He helped place the deceased in a sitting position against the ditch until Constable Reynolds arrived, and Reynolds placed a handkerchief around the head of the deceased. He said that Bolger was shouting and cursing trying to leave the cart when Walsh ran up, and Freany tried to keep Bolger on the cart. Freaney never said a word to Walsh and never “got in holts with him when he [Walsh] got up to the cart.”
William Neill a boy living at Newrath, testified that he saw the defendant pass over a field on the day of the attack and run along a hedge skirting the main road. He did not see Miss Duggan, Mrs. Walsh or her daughter with James Walsh. Another boy named White gave similar evidence.
Dr. Connolly testified that the deceased had a depressed fracture of the skull. He found a contusion over the deceased left eye that this not cause his death. The wound causing his death could have been caused by the pointed end of a whip handle such as the one in court.
The defendant’s defence rested on his employer cousin, his mother and sister. Miss Mary Duggan testified that James Walsh, his mother and sister went with her into Waterford. They were outside of Phelan’s coal yard when Freaney and Bolger drove past and called Walsh an “informer, perjurer, and landgrabber.” At no time prior to the trial had she alleged that the alleged name calling included “informer.” She testified that the others took a shortcut, but she followed the road. Later the defendant gave her a whip which she gave to the police. Walsh did not return home with her, but came there the same night and was arrested at ten o’clock. She stated that the defendant was a third cousin of hers.
Margaret Walsh, the mother of the defendant, gave an extraordinary account alleging that her son was acting in self-defence when he killed Freany. She stated that he was with her and his sister and Freany and Bolger stopped and waited to attack her son. She testified that Freany grabbed her son by the throat and said “now is our time, there is nobody near him.” Her testimony is contrary to the testimony of all the other witnesses at the scene including the independent witnesses.
The jury was out for a few minutes and returned with a verdict of manslaughter. The judge before sentencing noted that he was glad that the jury took the merciful view of the case, but “in point of law if a verdict of murder had been returned there was ample grounds on the evidence” for a murder verdict. He took into consideration the good character the defendant had prior to the killing and sentenced James Walsh to five years penal servitude. If James Walsh had been convicted of the murder of James Freany he would have hanged. It is difficult to believe that there were no independent witnesses to the alleged name calling, allegedly giving rise to the killing, given that it was at mid-day outside a busy business.
The Victim
Given the contradictions in the records and newspaper accounts James Freany was either 37 or “about 50.” The names of his wife and children were not provided, however, we did find a James Freany and Alice Freany née Ryan having children at Fahee, Mullinavat in the 1880’s. Three children were located: James Freany (bapt. 15 Feb. 1882); Margaret Freany (bapt. 18 April 1883) and Michael Freany (b. 16 Nov. 1884). A marriage record was located for James Freeney (sic) of Bawleloge, Mullinvat and Alice Ryan, of Ballykillaboy, on 10 Feb. 1880 at Kilmacow. The father of the groom is listed as James Freeney (sic) and the father of the bride was Michael Ryan. The only James Freany, who was the son of James Freany, born in Kilkenny was baptized at Glenmore on 31 January 1830. He was the son of James Freny (sic) and Margaret Power, of Ballyvolera, (Mourlerstown) Glenmore. If this is the correct James Freany he would have been 54 when he was killed.
Update 13 Dec. 2021–Patty Brown located the fourth child of the family, Mary Freaney (sic) (b. 1 Dec. 1880). Patty also identified another potential James Freany (b. 1841) that is currently being reviewed. Special thanks to Patty for her help.
The featured drawing above appeared on the front page of the Weekly Irish Times on Saturday the 20th of December 1884.
If anyone has any corrections or additional information please send it to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Mummers: Supporting Irish Independence
According to Danny Dowling, mumming troupes performed regularly in Wexford and the tradition was imported into Glenmore. In 1957 Danny interviewed Nicholas “Nicky the Miller” Forristal (1888-1979) who was able to name various members of the first known Glenmore mummers group. Nicky indicated that this group formed about 1886.
Today, outside of historians and persons researching folklore etc. there is often confusion regarding mummers because at various times in various locations across Ireland different people used the term in different ways. For example, in the past festivals and celebrations were marked with the making and wearing of straw costumes. There is evidence that the wearing of straw clothing occurred in bad weather particular by the bacach, or beggars. The straw not only provided warmth, but the rain would run off like a thatched roof. A plentiful supply of straw was generally present in most farmyards for the making of a straw overcoat as the bacach travelled the countryside with news and gossip to entertain his hosts (Anne O’Dowd, “Plaited Rush and Straw Work,” in Traditional Crafts of Ireland (2003) p. 128). Later, in some parts of Ireland men would disguise themselves in straw outfits and headgear to crash a wedding feast they had not been invited to attend. Sometime these party crashers performing their disguised antics were called mummers or strawmen (Séamas ó Catháin, “Mummers & Mumming,” in Traditional Crafts of Ireland (2003) p. 130.
Interestingly some rural parts of the country there was an old custom after harvest of saving the last sheaf of corn which was ceremonially brought home from the field and presented to the woman of the house. Keeping the last sheaf in the house brought general good luck and was a safeguard against witches. The straw from the harvest provided for the making of ordinary household items from plaited ropes (súgán) to hens’ nesting baskets (séideog).. (Anne O’Dowd, “Plaited Rush and Straw Work,” in Traditional Crafts of Ireland (2003) p. 128).
The tradition of mumming apparently goes back to the Middle Ages. It is thought to have developed in England and spread. Although mummers can be traced back in Ireland to at least the 1780’s the first systematic attempt to analyse the Irish mummers plays was published in 1946 by E.R.R. Green (“Christmas Rhymers and Mummers,” Ulster Journal of Archaeology (1946) p. 3-21).
In the west of Ireland mumming apparently evolved into people in disguise visiting homes and entertaining with songs and rhymes usually at Christmas time. In Wexford, mummers performed plays generally following chapbooks. A chapbook was a small pamphlet containing ballads, rhymes, or tales sold by peddlers. This “street literature” was cheaply made and often contained crude woodcut illustrations. Often at the end of the play there was a dance fight with the dancers swinging wooden swords or sticks. This battle dance has led to mummers sometimes being confused with another old custom of Morris dancers. Morris dancers are English male folk dancers who generally wear bells on their calves and carry handkerchiefs or fans as they perform their elaborate sets. In 1974, Alan Gailey published an article “Chapbook Influence on Irish Mummer’s Plays” (85(1) Folklore 1 (1974)). Gaily described the usual characters in the known “chapbook” publications including Prince David, St. Patrick, the Grand Signor and the doctor in a comical “cure scene.” By the turn of the 20th century the rhymes and characters of the Wexford mummers’ plays were re-written to “accord with nationalist sentiments” (Gailey, p. 6).
In the 1957 interview Nicky the Miller noted that a dance platform was built at the Ballygurrim cross roads in about 1885. The following year a group of men from Glenmore formed a mummers’ group. They were “trained by coach” from Wexford. In addition to providing the names of the group Nicky stated that the group travelled to Mullinavat where they “gave a big display of their talents” and they had a “keg of beer between them to quench their thirst.”
Nicky the Miller identified ten men as Glenmore Mummers. Information not provided by Nicky the Miller has been placed in brackets [ ]. The captain of the Glenmore Mummers team was Martin Cahill [b. 1854] of Ballycroney, Glenmore. His three brothers were also members, Phil [b. 1865 never married], Dick and Mick Cahill [b. 1863] married and lived in Waterford and worked at Strangman’s brewery.
Other members of the team included:
Jack Merrigan, of Milltown, Glenmore–He was uncle of the present (1957) Dinny Murphy of Milltown. He later emigrated to the USA and died in New York;
Ned Purcell, of Forristaltown and later lived in Weatherstown, Glenmore;
Neddy Walsh, of Milltown, never married and worked at Jack Doherty’ of Milltown;
Dick Walsh, of Bushertsown and Ballalog, was a brother of Neddy Walsh. Dick worked for Dinny Merrigan and married Dinny’s sister. The married couple moved to Waterford. [The Glenmore Parish records reveal that Richard Walsh married Ellen Merrigan in 1895.];
Dan Dowling, [1862-1945] of Jamestown, Glenmore [Danny Dowling’s paternal grandfather] and
Ned Doolan, of Shanbogh.
In attempting to locate more information on the Glenmore mummers a newspaper search revealed that in 1892 the Glenmore Mummers performed and the names of the group are not provided in the newspaper article. However, the article does confirm that the group was performing in the Wexford tradition with a nationalist sentiment including the word “independence” placed on the play’s scenery. The following article is from the front page of the Munster Express of 6 February 1892.
ENTERTAINMENT AT GLENMORE—On Sunday evening last a most successful and highly conducted soiree came off at Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny. The proceedings commenced about 7:30 p.m., and under the able management of the local young men, who are formed into a society called “Mummers,” have composed a part representing twelve powers of Europe, an exhibition of which they gave on the night in question, and which proved high satisfactory and afforded pleasure to the many spectators present. The different parts met with loud applause, and for the first time they gave an exhibition and played their different parts publicly, they deserve all credit for the painstaking manner through which they went through their work. The apartment, which was kindly given for the purpose, was beautifully decorated with evergreens and other ornamental designs, and here and there on the walls could be observed in letters, worked with ivy leaves, the words, “independence,” “welcome” etc. Many songs and dances were gone through until about 8:30, when the “Mummies” entered, dressed beautifully with different coloured dresses and bearing emblems representative of the Nationality which each acts the part of. The representative of the first high personage was the captain of the club, who marched forward and related his exploits in a strong manner. He is met on the way by Prince George, and then St. Patrick enters on the scene and speaks independently to the Prince. Next appears the representatives of Napoleon, Lord Wellington, and Emperor of Russia. The latter meets the Grand Seignior (sic), and both fight in single combat, resulting in the fall of the Grand Seignior. A doctor then enters, and offers to cure the Grand Seignior (sic), but claims high compensation for his medical skill, which seemed rather limited. His prescription for the wounded warrior provoked merriment, but however, he succeeded in restoring to health the Grand Seignour (sic) who, when fully recovered, relates his exploits in the other world, as his imagination led him to believe he saw a glimpse of it. Lord Nelson represented, as also the Poles’ King, and Julius Caesar. Daniel O’Connell, and the representatives of the above great men having fully expressed the ideas and the exploits gone through in by gone days by those heroes, they formed in a circle and to a beautiful selection of music on violins, danced in a semi-circular motion, one rank meeting the other, and both parties slashing swords. The above ended with the rendering of the National Anthem, “God Save Ireland,” in capital style. The party composed of these young people and the part they have selected appears critical; yet with perseverance they reached the standard of perfection, and whenever they next give an exhibition, they should be highly appreciated for their exertions. The rendering of some songs and recitations, speeches and dialogues, brought the proceedings, which were creditably gone through, to a close.
Although we have a general description of the Glenmore play from the newspaper account, thanks to the efforts of N.A. Hudelston the probable lines are available. Hudelston collected a written copy in 1958 of a play containing 290 lines from John Pierce, of Rosslare Harbour. Fifty more lines were obtained in oral interviews of five more men. It was noted that this play was performed until the First World War, but the language and events in the play revealed that the the original play dates back to 1820-1850. (Hudleston, “The Wexford Mummers’ Play,” The Past: The Organ of the Uí Cinsealaight Historical Society (1964) p. 152). The cast of characters in the play includes: The Captain; Prince George; St. Patrick; Dan O’Connell; Napoleon Bonaparte; Lord Wellington; The Czar; The Grand Signor; The Doctor; Lord Nelson; The Polish King; and Julius Caesar. The excerpt below is from the lines of Daniel O’Connell toward the end of the play.
Excerpt
Here I am, the great O’Connell, from a knightly race I came, My royal habitation lies in ancient Derrynane. I am the man they call brave Dan, your friend on each occasion, And the first M.P. that ever sat of the Catholic persuasion. For my country’s wrongs I deeply felt, they tilled me with vexation, And our cruel foes for to oppose, I formed an Association. ‘Tis certain sure, the Church most pure, should persecution bear, But the Penal yoke was lately broke by electing me in Clare; To Parliament straightway I went, in hopes to free our nation, Wellington and Peel, I made them yield and grant Emancipation. That still-born pact, the Stanley Act, supplants the Church’s ambition, Those vexatious tithes I have laid aside, by a total abolition. The Catholic rent I underwent to break and wreck in twain…
By St. Patrick’s sons you have laurels won, and been raised to dignity; Our brothers’ cries you did despise, and our country’s misery. So now your cause, and Penal Laws, I’ll expel by exhortation, Those notorious tithes I’ll lay aside or in blood I’ll steep the nation. Your tyranny won’t frighten me, nor your hellish emigration, Your infernal ends, they stood your friends—if I live, I’ll free the nation. Now, gentles all, I must conclude, I have no more to say…
It isn’t known whether the Glenmore men identified by Nicky the Miller were the same group that performed in 1892. If the Glenmore Mummers followed this play with similar nationalist speeches, scenery advocating independence etc. it may go some way to explaining why the Munster Express did not publish their names.
Please send any corrections or additional information etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Hudleston article is available on Justor, Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/25519869 . The featured drawing above was drawn by Dudley Terrant at Christmas time 1919 of a performane of an old Christmas mummers’ play of St. George and the Dragon and published in The Sphere (3 January 1920, p. 13). The photo from January 1950 above is of the Andover, Hampshire mummer’s play. For over 300 years the men of New Street in Andover, Hampshire performed this traditional mummers play without script. The words were passed down from father to son.
From Danny’s Files: The Glenmore Silversmith, Pat Dolan (1940-2011)
For over seven decades Danny Dowling collected information and newspaper articles concerning Glenmore and its people. Tucked safely into a file were two newspaper clippings regarding Pat Dolan. Today, we are going to feature Pat Dolan (1940-2011) a native of New Ross who for many years made his home and workshop in Ballyverneen, Glenmore where he also operated a falconry. Although Pat Dolan eventually moved from Glenmore, and died in 2011 in Kinsale, Cork, there is a stone memorial for Pat Dolan in Ballyverneen along the river side of the road between the railway viaduct and the Pink Rock.
Most of the following biographical information was gleaned from articles appearing in the New Ross Standard in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Pat Dolan was the son of Patrick “P.J.” Dolan and Kathleen “Kitty” Dolan née Dunne of South St., New Ross. His parents married in June 1937. At the time of their marriage the groom was a merchant draper on South St. and the son of ex-R.I.C. Sergeant Patrick Dolan and Bridget Dolan née Harrington. The bride, Kitty was the daughter of Patrick J. and Brigid Dunne merchants also on South, St., New Ross (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 June 1937, p. 12). In addition to the shop on South Street, Pat’s father, P.J. Dolan was for many years the Chairman of the New Ross Harbour Commissioners. His mother, Kitty Dolan (c. 1904-1975) was described as a local pioneer of the New Ross tourist information service providing information and advice to tourists from her South St. shop (New Ross Standard, Fri. 12 Dec. 1975).
Pat was educated at St. Peter’s College Wexford, and University College Dublin, and travelled throughout Europe upon graduation and settled in Spain out of necessity. “I was out of money,” he laughed, recalling how he learned his trade under the apprenticeship of Franz Neuner, a Czechoslovakian silversmith who ran a fashion accessory house in Barcelona (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32).
Pat returned to Ireland, then travelled to Manchester, England, where he married Kathleen Lee, a school teacher. Pat obtained a Diploma in silversmithing and decorative metal work from Manchester College. He taught metal work for a time in Manchester, but preferred creative work. He quit teaching to devote his time entirely to designing and making jewellery (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1975, p. 7). Eventually, Pat and his wife Kathleen, both gave up teaching and came back to Ireland for Pat to work locally full time as a silversmith (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Dec. 1982, p. 24). The couple had three sons: twins Dominic and Damien and Benedict (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1975, p. 7).
When Pat returned to Ireland with his family, he bought an old cottage in Ballyverneen, Glenmore, overlooking the Glenmore Pill, on what was at that time the main road between Waterford and New Ross. [The cottage was the home of the late Dick Dunphy (5 July 1893- ?).] With the assistance of local builders, Pat constructed a workshop on the property and renovated the existing cottage (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32). Although no newspaper article revealed the year in which the Dolan family moved to Glenmore, a planning notice was published in the summer of 1974 for the installation of a septic tank on the property (New Ross Standard, Fri. 9 Aug. 1974, p. 15). While the workshop was being constructed in Ballyverneen, Pat worked in a temporary workshop at the home of his mother Kitty Dolan of South St. New Ross (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1975). Several of the older Glenmore residents recall that Pat drove a red Triumph convertible sportscar.
Pat began to make unique jewellery in gold and silver and sold on a commission basis to shops in France and the US and to visiting tourists. When Pat completed a piece it had to be sent to Dublin before it could be sold. Every piece had to be sent to the Assay Office to be hallmarked. In addition to jewellery, he made trophies and presentation gifts to order (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1975, p. 7). Pat worked from his own Celtic stylized designs based on variations of traditional Celtic designs. When interviewed about his work he stated, “I am most influenced by the ancients,” emphasising the importance of eighth and twelfth century works. “One cannot help but be influenced by them they’re everywhere.” Pat also credited New Ross sculptor Seamus Furlong and the late Kilkenny sculptor, Oisin Kell, with heavily influencing his work. It was reported that Pat took great satisfaction in the timelessness of his work, stressing that only a conscious effort can destroy anything he created. “Gold, silver and bronze won’t change. They can’t be debased—they are completely and totally incorruptible. We have whole pieces from 5,000 to 7,000 years ago” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32).
Newspaper adverts for his work during this period indicate that while his workshop was in Glenmore he also had a small shop in New Ross. In 1978 he was joined in business with a fellow silversmith Maria Roche of Charlton Hill, New Ross. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32). Pat was deeply committed to the role of crafts in Irish life and was a founding member of the Wexford Craftworkers Association. Pat served as the chairman several times and also served on the Board of Management of the Crafts Council of Ireland (New Ross Standard, Fri. 17 Dec. 1982, p. 38).
In the early 1980’s Pat began working in bronze and as one reporter described it as portrait sculpture. “Out on the Burrow at Rosslaire stands his head of a life boat man modelled from photographs of Ned Wickham. Since the unveiling of this monument.., Pat had a number of commissions for portraits” but also continued to make jewellery and special pieces (New Ross Standard, Fri. 17 Dec. 1982, p. 38). To view Pat’s work on the Rosslare Lifeboat Memorial click here. Another special piece Pat designed and made was a chalice presented to the Bishop of Ferns, Donal Herlihy (1908-1983) on the occasion of the 1981Golden Jubilee of his Ordination. The chalice was commissioned by the Wexford Branch of the I.N.T.O. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Dec. 1982, p. 24).
At the opening of the New Ross library in 1982 an exhibition of Pat’s bronzes was displayed. The exhibition included bonzes of some notable people such as Eamonn de Valera, Samuel Beckett, James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats, Oscar Wilde and Sean O’Casey, as well as a self-portrait, a Tolkein landscape, a sleeping fox, a merlin and prey and the life boat man, Ned Wickham, from Rosslare (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Dec. 1982, p. 24). In 1985, Pat was commissioned to design presentations to honour three founding members of the New Ross FCA Pipe Band which was established in 1947. The presentations were inscribed bronze replicas of the instruments played by each recipient. The replicas consisted of Sam McDonald’s staff, Tom Bolger’s bass drum and Paddy Murphy’s pipes (New Ross Standard, Fri. 5 July 1985, p. 20).
Several Glenmore residents recalled that Pat also operated a falconry when he lived in Glenmore. His falconry housed a variety of birds of prey, including a golden eagle, the only bird of the species in Ireland in the early 1980’s. Pat acquired his first birds from a falconry in Clonmel. Pat noted that the birds could not be fed processed or treated meat and more than 18 pounds of meat per day was required to feed his 20 birds. The birds themselves contributed meat when they were out on practice runs and his friends and sons who rabbit hunted also contributed meat for the birds. Pat is quoted as remarking, “They are God’s most magnificent creatures, they are designed to prey on lesser creatures—the symbol of a balanced society” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32).
Please send any additional information, corrections, photos of pieces by Pat Dolan etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The engraving of the falcon if from The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. (1885). Red-throated falcon — Ibycter americanus Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e0-d55a-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Remembering the Glenmore Senior Hurling Teams of 1960 & 1964
With the week that has passed, seeing Glenmore reach the top table within the ranks of Kilkenny hurling, we find time to reflect on past glories. Most of us remember the great teams of the 80`s and 90`s that really put Glenmore on the hurling map. Five senior county titles, two Leinster titles and the coveted Club All Ireland in 1991. We were the first club in Kilkenny to have teams representing at both Intermediate and Senior level when Glenmore won the Junior title in 1991. Numerous players represented at county level and not to forget the famous 5 of the 1992 All Ireland team; Christy Heffernan, Liam Walsh, Titch Phelan, Eddie and Willie O Connor. Currently we have probably one of the greatest goalkeepers of the modern era, Eoin Murphy, in our ranks as well as his brother Alan representing Kilkenny. Recently retired county player and club captain Ger Aylward is another legend. Paddy and Richie Mullally represented at county levels during the noughities and have All Ireland winning medals also.
In the lead up to our success of the 1980`s, we had a couple of opportunities to make a mark on the senior title Roll of Honour. In 1960 and 1964, Glenmore reached the senior finals and were beaten both times by a great Bennettsbridge team. Between the years 1952-1974, Bennettsbridge contested 16 county finals, winning 11. The 1960 and 1964 Glenmore hurling teams, that were contenders for the senior county championship, don’t seem to be spoken about today, but the men who represented this Parish sixty years ago deserve recognition for the effort they put into reaching these finals. Glenmore had no trainer and organised their training sessions at the Scow Bridge in Gaulstown. Seamus Dunphy was secretary and would have had an input to picking the teams along with the captain at the time. All household names in their own right. This week we would like to remember these teams by reaching into the archives of the match reports from these years.
1960 Glenmore Senior Hurling
In 1960 Glenmore played St. John’s in the first round and won on a scoreline of 5-12 to 1-04. Second round opponents were Eire OG and Glenmore came out on top with a scoreline of 5-08 to 3-05. Local rivals Slieverue were the semi-final opponents Glenmore played in Nowlan Park.
The members of the Glenmore and Slieverue teams included—
Glenmore—M. Cody; J. McDonald; P. O’Connor; D. Dowling; D. Doherty; P. Fitzgerald; N. Hanrahan; J. Doherty; P. Power; J. O’Shea; W. Fitzgerald; M. Cass; J. Sutton; R. Mullally and M. Barron.
Slieverue—S. Griffin; P. Fitzgerald; T. Phelan; E. Dwyer; M. Walsh; T. Walsh; J. Hartley; P. Buggy; P. Irish; E. Horgan; N. Power; G. Buggy, R. Rocket; W. Irish and J. Walsh.
Richie Mullally played at full forward and scored a hat trick of goals on the day. Paul Fitzgerald played at centre back and was noted to have given an “outstanding display in the Glenmore defence”(KP Aug 5 1960) . Slieverue had Sean Griffin play in goal that day and Sean holds the record for scoring 5 goals in the 1954 county final against Tullaroan. That day the future GAA president Paddy Buggy lined out at midfield for Slieverue. Glenmore came out on top in this semi-final with a scoreline of 4-8 to 4-5.
Scorers on the day for Glenmore were: Richie Mullally 3-00; Martin Cass 1-00; John O’Shea 0-04; Micky Barron 0-03; and John Sutton 0-01. Slieverue scorers included: Gerry Buggy 1-00; Dick Rocket 1-00; J. Walsh 1-00; P. Grant 1-00; E. Horgan 0-02; N. Power 0-02 and Pat Irish 0-01.
The county final in 1960 was played between Bennettsbridge and Glenmore. The members of the final teams included:
Glenmore—M. Cody; J. Mc Donald; P. O’Connor; D. Dowling; R. Doherty; P. Fitzgerald; N. Hanrahan; J. Doherty; W. Fitzgerald; J. O’Shea; J. Sutton; J. Boyle; P. Power; R. Mullally and M. Barron.
Bennettsbridge—L. Cleere; M. Treacy; J. Galway; J. Dobbyn; P. Moran; S. Cleere; J. McGovern; R. Carroll; J. Dowling; M. Kelly; T. Kelly; J. Carroll; F. Ryan; M. McCarthy and S. Treacy.
The final game was reported to be a tame affair (KP Oct 14 1960) and saw Bennettsbridge win 4-05 to Glenmore 3-04. The Bridge seemed to have the upper hand in most positions although Glenmore player’s Paul Fitzgerald and John Sutton held their own.
Scorers for Glenmore in the final were: John Sutton 2-02; R. Mullally 1-00; M. Barron 0-01; D Dowling 0-01. Scorers for Bennettsbridge included: M. Kelly 1-01; F. Ryan 1-00; S. Treacy 1-00; J. Carroll 1-00; D. Carroll 0-02; and S. Cleere 0-02.
1964 Glenmore Senior Hurling
In 1964 Glenmore commenced its championship quest with a meeting against Tullogher and winning 3-11 to 2-06. Second round was against James Stephens and Glenmore won with a score of 3-08 to 1-02. Glenmore in its semi-final played against Thomastown in Nowlan Park. The members of the two hurling teams included:
Glenmore—Paul Fitzgerald; John McDonald; Nicky Forristal; John Dowling; John O Shea; Dick Doherty; John Vereker; Billy Fitzgerald; Pat Power; Sean Fitzgerald; Martin Cass; Pat Dowling; Dick Dowling; John Sutton and Mike Phelan. Subs included: Nicky Hanrahan for Sean Fitzgerald and Mickie Barron for Pat Dowling.
Thomastown–Ollie Walsh; W. Grace; Cha Whelan; J. Gibbons; S. Sullivan; J. Doyle; J. Blanchfield; R. Walsh; P. Kelly; T. Walsh; M. Walsh; S. Challoner; J. Murray; J. Kelly and J. Delaney.
Glenmore were not the favourites to win and according to the Kilkenny Journal caused a surprise when they beat Thomastown. The veterans of Glenmore had a big say in the victory as John Sutton scored 3-04 (3-01 from play) and Paul Fitzgerald in the goal saved and cleared brilliantly. Thomastown goalie Ollie Walsh was brought into attack near the end of the game to try and turn it in Thomastown`s favour. Tom Walsh got great praise for his performance, but Glenmore proved too strong on the day. Final score was Glenmore 4-09 to Thomastown 4-06.
Scorers on the day for Glenmore were: John Sutton 3-04; M. Barron 1-00; Billy Fitzgerald 0-02; Pat Power 0-01; Martin Cass 0-01; Nicky Hanrahan 0-01. Scorers for Thomastown included: Tom Walsh 2-05; J. Delaney 1-00; P. Kelly 1-00 and Ollie Walsh 0-01.
For the county final Glenmore again met Bennettsbridge. The teams were comprised of the following players:
Glenmore—Paul Fitzgerald; John McDonald; Nicky Forristal; John Dowling; John O’Shea; Dick Doherty; John Vereker; Pat Power; Billy Fitzgerald; Nicky Hanrahan; Mike Phelan; Martin Cass; Richie Mullally; John Sutton; John Dowling and Mickie Barron subbed for Nicky Hanrahan.
Bennettsbridge—L. Cleere; M. Treacy; T. Bennett; J. Treacy; S. Cleere; J. McGovern; P. Moran; T. Kelly; N. Skeehan; R. Carroll; J. Carroll; P. Treacy; M. McCarthy and S. Treacy.
Glenmore got off to a flying start scoring 1-01 within 2 minutes. Glenmore didn`t score for the next 50 minutes, and this allowed the Bridge to settle and pick off their scores. Most prominent of the Glenmore defence were John Dowling and John Vereker who had a very good first half and relieved many dangerous situations. John O’Shea also played well. None of the forwards were very successful, but the keenest triers were John Sutton and Dick Dowling.
The final score was Glenmore 1-04 to Bennettsbridge 4-09.
Scorers in the final for Glenmore included: John Sutton 1-01; Dick Doherty 0-02 and Martin Cass 0-01. Scorers for Bennettsbridge that day included: P. Treacy 2-00; P. Moran 0-06; N. Skeehan 1-00; M. McCarthy 1-00; S. Carroll 0-02 and T. Kelly 0-01.
Glenmore dropped to Junior level in 1966 and remained there until 1980.
Thanks to J. Vereker and D. Dowling for sharing their team photos. It is not known whether the 1960 photo was taken before the semi-final or final game.
If you have any corrections, additional information concerning these two teams or attended any of the games etc. and would like to share your memories please place them below or send them to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Pat Dowling
Fr. John Duggan (1932-2021) of Flemingstown, Glenmore and Super Bowl IX
This week while we were preparing to post the obituary of Fr. John Duggan the reference therein to his time served as Chaplain to the Pittsburgh Steelers caused a search of a pile of future “From Danny’s Files” articles. In the pile was a Kilkenny People article entitled “Priest Who Prays for Success,” (Fri. 27 Dec. 1974, p. 6). This week we are going to feature the association and circumstances of Fr. John Duggan becoming unofficial chaplain, or as the press in the United States dubbed him, the “lucky charm” or the “secret weapon” of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ football team in the early 1970’s. To put this into context the Pittsburgh Steelers did not have a winning season from 1933 until Fr. Duggan came on the scene.
Fr. John Duggan was born on 7 February 1932 to Richard Duggan and his wife Molly Duggan née O’Gorman, of Flemingstown, Glenmore. Fr. Duggan attended St. Kieran’s College and Maynooth Seminary and was ordained a priest on 17 June 1956. He went on to earn an MA in Education and a PhD in Counselling from Boston College and had a fellowship to Harvard. It was during the three years when Fr. Duggan was pursuing his PhD that he is credited with helping the Pittsburgh Steelers become Super Bowl champions.
Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. (1901-1988) nicknamed “The Chief” was the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 1933 he established the Steelers as an expansion team in the National Football League. Much has been written concerning Rooney’s big win at a race track that funded the team for several early years. Although Rooney was lucky allegedly at the racetrack, his football team did not enjoy much success. Prior to 1972 the team only played in one post season game. This occurred in 1947 when they played one game in the Eastern Division Playoffs and lost 21 to 0 to the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 1969, The Chief hired a young Chuck Noll (1932-2014) as head coach and kept him on as head coach notwithstanding his first year record was only 1 win and 13 loses. In 1970, the American Football League and the National Football League merged and “The Chief” agreed to leave the NFL Eastern Conference and joined the AFC central conference. The Steelers became a powerhouse, and today Noll is credited with building the team through the recruiting of gifted players via the football draft. Noll recruited players like Franco Harris, Terry Bradshaw and “Mean” Joe Green who was a leading member of the infamous “Steel Curtain” defence. In 1972, the Steelers after over 40 years of losses began a remarkable 8 year run of playoff appearances, and 13 straight years of winning seasons. They are the only team to accomplish two consecutive Super Bowl wins twice with these four Super Bowl wins in six consecutive seasons. Chuck Noll at the time was the youngest head coach to have won the Super Bowl.
At the same time the two football leagues were merging, and Chuck Noll was trying to find his feet as head coach, in the spring of 1970, two young Americans were on a tour of Ireland. Tim and Pat Rooney, two sons of the Chief, stopped at the church where Fr. Duggan was parish priest in an attempt to locate the birthplace of one of their ancestors. While Fr. Duggan was speaking to the Rooney brothers’ he asked them what kind of business they were in, and Fr. Duggan thought they said “vestments.” He invited them to attend Mass the following day, so he could show them the beautiful vestments that had been made in Paris. They came and after Mass explained that they were in investments not vestments. They invited Fr. Duggan to get in touch if he ever got to America as they would take him to a football game. “I thought they were just fans. I didn’t know until I got here that their family actually owned a team” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 27 Dec. 1974, p. 6).
Fr. Duggan went to the U.S. the following year to take some summer courses. He contacted the Rooney brothers and they flew him to Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Steelers had a shockingly bad record the year before winning only 1 of 13 games. In 1971, while Fr. Duggan was present the team won the first four games. Fr. Duggan stated, “I didn’t know much about the game. It was confusion, especially the change of teams from offence to defence and the specialty teams.” After he returned to Ireland the team lost four out of the next six games. The following year Fr. Duggan learned that he would be back in the U.S. for three years to study full time for a doctorate (Kilkenny People, Fri. 27 Dec. 1974, p. 6). While working on his doctorate Fr. Duggan was based at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.
“The Chief sat me down and told me he wanted me to become the Steeler’s chaplain. He thought the team had a good chance to win the division and that to date the priest was undefeated. As it turned out the Steelers did win the division that year” (The Boston Globe, Tues. 14 Jan. 1975, p. 22).
During his three years in the U.S., Fr. Duggan travelled to all the Steeler games home and away, at the request of the Rooney family. During these weekends he became close to the players, and often counselled them when they had problems. Fr. Duggan was said to have stated that he offered “…mass every weekend during the season so that no players be injured badly and that in all games involving the Steelers, the better team will win. But, I have an understanding with God that the Steelers are the better team always.” As part of his unofficial duties to the team on the eve of every game, he offered a Mass, with different players, regardless of their religion, helping him with the readings” (The Boston Globe, Tues. 14 Jan. 1975, p. 22). [John]”Frenchy” Fuqua, a running back who is not a Catholic volunteered as a reader. “That afternoon Frenchy had one of the best games of his career,”…”Frenchy came to me and said when can I do another reading?” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 27 Dec. 1974, p. 6).
It was widely reported that the night before the Central Division championship game played between the Steelers and the Oakland Raiders, in December 1972, Father Duggan was in the stadium. Father Duggan was asked to leave because the Raiders did not want anyone watching their closed practice. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazetted (23 Dec. 1972, p. 11) thought this very odd and reported that the Steeler team, coaching staff, and their families were at a Christmas party in the stadium club overlooking the field. “All the Steelers had to do to see the Raiders was look out the club’s huge picture windows. None seemed that interested.” Some newspapers reported that there was an exchange between Father Duggan and an official from the Raiders. One reported that Father Duggan allegedly objected to leaving stating, “But I don’t know enough about football to do any harm.” The Raider official was alleged to have replied, “You are a priest aren’t you? That makes you dangerous. Art Rooney has every priest in the country pulling for him tomorrow.”
The Steelers won the game, 13-7, in the last five seconds when Franco Harris caught a pass that had deflected off of Fuqua and ran 60 yards for the touchdown. That catch is often referred to as the ”Miraculous reception,” or the “Immaculate reception.” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 27 Dec. 1974, p. 6). After winning the Central Division championship newspaper articles began to appear linking Fr. Duggan to the team’s success. It was noted that Chuck Noll was a man of intense faith, but did not proclaim “his creed with evangelistic fevor…he attended the Thanksgiving Mass offered by Fr. Duggan” the day after the game at a chapel adjoining the Rooney home. Noll was the reader, Dan Rooney, the general manager and Ed Kiely, the publicity director for the team, served as altar boys. According to Kiely, “Fr. Duggan’s presence, apparently has helped us…He was present for 12 of our games and saw us only lose once.” (New Castle News [New Castle, Pennsylvania] 19 Dec. 1972, p. 20).The following week the Steelers lost to the undefeated Miami Dolphins in the final AFL championship.
Super Bowls are played in January based upon the previous season. Super Bowl IX was played on 12 January 1975 in New Orleans. For the first time the Pittsburgh Steelers made it to the Super Bowl and played the Minnesota Vikings. The Steelers defence was said to hold all in awe. Several newspapers noted the attendance of Fr. Duggan. “One unheralded part of the Steelers’ game plan is Rev. John Duggan, a priest from Kilkenny, Ireland…the Mass saying lucky charm [is] at every Steelers’ game (The Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Jan. 1975, p. 21) and the Steelers won 16-6.
Later, in what appears an attempt to explain how the lovable losing Steelers, became Super Bowl IX winners, journalists began to refer to Fr. Duggan as Rooney’s secret weapon. The Pittsburgh-Post Gazette that just noted in 1972 that Father Duggan had been asked to leave the stadium because the Raiders didn’t want anyone at their practice later in 1975 published a column written by Joe Browne where he outrageously wrote that “maybe this is why the Stealers crushed Oakland and went on to become Super Bowl champs…John Duggan, an Irish priest who’s nuts about the Steelers, walked in on a secret practice of the Raiders. John Madden, Oakland coach, tactfully asked him to scram. Father Duggan snorted, “I didn’t come to spy on y’—I came to lay a curse on y’” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Wed. 19 Jan. 1975, p. 27).
Father Duggan while in New Orleans after Super Bowl IX gave an interview to the Boston Globe where he noted that the Chief had paid for everyone including waterboys and the entire ground crew from the Steelers to come to New Orleans for the Super Bowl. A week before the big game Dan Rooney, the General Manager, asked Fr. Duggan to make preparations for a Mass of Thanksgiving for 9 a.m. the day following the game—win or lose. Fr. Duggan explained that for them “just getting this far was reason enough to be thankful.” On the eve of the Super Bowl, as was his custom Fr. Duggan offered a Mass. Rocky Bleier gave the first reading and five of the Chief’s grandsons served the Mass. Although Fr. Duggan denied that he provided pep talks to the players he did state that he selected appropriate readings. The reading by Bleier pertained to courage and the Christian athlete. The second reading was on the body and its ability to withstand suffering. “After all these years of losing, for the Steelers…[from 1933] I felt that we should say something about suffering. They had their share.”
In a short conclusion that indicated the true depth of his understanding of football the self-described “simple parish priest” stated that he was returning to Ireland in June and “you might say I have prayed out my options” (The Boston Globe, Tues. 14 Jan. 1975, p. 22).
The obit published by Fr. Duggan’s parish in Rhode Island is contained on our obituary page, and we extend our condolences to his siblings and families and the members of his parish. Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh