The History of Tuaim:
Tuam (/ˈtjuːəm/ TEW-əm), Irish: Tuaim ([t̪ˠuəmʲ]) is a town in Ireland and the second largest settlement in County Galway. It is situated west of the midlands of Ireland, approximately 35 km (22 mi) north of Galway city. Human existence in the area dates to the Bronze Age while the historic period dates from the 6th century. The town became increasingly important in the 11th and 12th centuries in political and religious aspects of Ireland. The market based layout of the town and square indicates the importance of commerce.
The story of the town of Tuam belongs primarily to ecclesiastical history. Any claims to distinction that Tuam may possess are derived, not from any considerations of its strategic or commercial importance, but the fact that, ever since the time of St. Jarlath, the Archbishop of the diocese has resided in Tuam. The name of Tuam has been prominent in history, no doubt, but that prominence has been wholly due to the qualities and fame of its Archbishops. Hence any account of Tuam will be concerned mainly with the lives and doings of the Archbishops who reigned here, and also who have shed lustre on the Town of Tuam.
In St. Patrick’s Footsteps.
In the little village of Kilbannon, a few miles from Tuam, there is one spot which is held in particular reverence. It is the place where St. Patrick erected his altar and said Mass, when, in the course of his mission to Connacht, he came to Kilbannon, which in those days was called Dun Lughaidh, after the chief who occupied the fort there.Lughaidh was converted and gave up his Dun to the saint, who founded a church and school and appointed St. Benin as its first pastor. After this, St. Patrick continued on his way, going by Killower, Donaghpatrick, and Shrule, to Cruachan Aigle, which has ever since been known as Croagh Patrick.
St. Benin remained at Dun Lughaidh, henceforth called Kilbannon, in charge of the Church and School, and it was at Kilbannon that St. Jarlath, a member of a princely family, was educated and ordained. After his ordination St. Jarlath left Kilbannon and founded a Church and famous School at Cloonfush, a school wherein were educated many saints noted in Irish history, among them being the great St. Brendan.
No doubt, with the passing of the years, St. Jarlath expected to end his days in Cloonfush. But when he was already an old man, St. Brendan approached him one day and predicted that his resurrection was not to take place in Cloonfush. “Where then” asked Jarlath. “sit in thy chariot” answered Brendan, “as thou art old and feeble, and wherever the chariot wheel breaks down, there shall be the place of thy resurrection, and of many others, on the day of judgement”. St. Jarlath obeyed his command, and when his chariot wheel broke down near a pagan burial mound known as Tuaim Da Ghualain, he halted and built a Church, dedicating it to The Blessed Virgin Assumed into Heaven, and became the first Bishop of Tuam.
The Cross of Tuam.
The year 1049 marks another important date in the history of the diocese of Tuam. In that year King Aed O’Conor, after defeating Amalgaid O’Flaherty, established his principal residence in the town of Tuam. One of the greatest of this family, Turlough Mor O’Conor, ably assisted by Aed O’Hessian, Abbot and Bishop, did much for Tuam. During their reign a beautiful church was built, and the cross erected. The greater part of the latter still stands in the Square of Tuam.
This cross was dismantled following the destruction of the first Cathedral in 1184 and parts of the cross could be found in different parts of the Town over the centuries.
In 1852-53 all the available parts were brought together and were brought to Dublin for the great exhibition of 1852-53. When the cross was returned to Tuam however, the entire cross was placed outside the Catholic Cathedral, however, part of the cross was claimed by the Protestants. The shaft and cross head were claimed by the Protestants and erected over the grave of Archbishop Edward Synge at the east end of what is now referred to as The Synod Hall at St. Mary’s Cathedral and the base of the Cross remained outside the Catholic Cathedral. However, following discussion, it was agreed that all sections would be put back together and the agreement was that the Cross was to be erected, exactly half way between both Cathedrals, and in such a position that it could be seen from all the main streets in the Town. It was erected in The Square in the year 1874.
During the 1980’s, concern was expressed about the condition and the location of the High Cross. The design was fading away because of pollution and acid rain and, its location in the middle of a roundabout gave many people concern about its safety. Following a number of years of discussion the cross was removed from The Square in April 1992 by the Office of Public Works, (the OPW) who transported it to their workshops outside Athenry. They carried out a major cleaning job on the stonework and also did some minor restoration with a 75% sandstone 25% polymer mix. The cross was then brought back to Tuam in June of that year where it was erected in the south transept of St. Mary’s ( C.of I.) Cathedral where it still stands today.
The Chancel of the Church (St.Mary’s Cathedral) consists of a fine arch, and according to Dr. Petrie and all antiquarians since his day, it is the finest remaining specimen of Hiberno-Romanesque work in Ireland. It is larger and better than that of Cormac’s Chapel on the rock of Cashel which was erected about the same time, A.D. 1133
The name of Aed O’Hessian is associated with a still greater event in the history of Tuam. During his reign Tuam was elevated to the dignity of an Archbishop, and at the synod of Kells in 1152 the pallium of Archbishop was conferred by the papal legate on Aed O’Hessian, bishop of Tuam. The name of the first Archbishop is inscribed on the cross on the Square, together with the name of King Turlough O’Conor who founded here the Monastery of the canons regular of St. Augustine about 1140. He also founded the abbey of Cong and brought the well-known processional cross of Cong to Tuam, where it was probably first used.
For some hundreds of years Monasteries, Convents and Churches continued to be built in many places around Tuam. Cathal Crovederg O’Conor, grandson of Turlough, brought the Cistercian monks from Boyle to found Abbey Knockmoy, and he also founded the rich convent of Kilcreevanty. In the work of establishing Churches and Monasteries the Irish Chieftains were ably assisted by the Normans.
Political events:
It is interesting to see how political events changed the boundaries of the Archdiocese. The Bishopric of Annaghdown owed its existence as a separate See to the power and influence of the O’Flaherties, and comprised only members of their clan. When the O’Flahertie’s were defeated and driven beyond the Corrib, there was no reason for its continuence, and it was absorbed by Tuam. The fortification of Athenry and Galway by Englishmen who spoke no Irish led to further changes, this time by way of diminution. The English in both of these Towns objected to the Irish speaking clergy under the jurisdiction of Tuam, and in 1484 petitioned the Pope to grant them a Bishop and clergy of their own. After some time this was granted for Galway and some neighbouring parishes, which were henceforth administered by clergy under a Warden. This system continued until about 1830. When Galway became a Bishopric, he claims of Athenry were not pressed and it remains in the Archdiocese of Tuam.
Space will not permit us to speak of the many Archbishops who ruled in Tuam till the suppression of the Church in the reign of Henry XIII, though there were many able and remarkable men among them. We must content ourselves with the mention of Maurice O’Fihelly, a native of Baltimore, Co. Cork. He was the author of many books, and was himself a practical printer at a time when printing was a comparatively new art. On his way from Rome to take charge of the Archdiocese he fell ill at Galway, and died at the Franciscan Convent there on May 24th 1513
Tuam Since the Reformation:
The great persecution of the Church did not reach its full fury in Tuam till the time of Elizabeth. Archbishop Christopher Bodkin, though he gave obedience to Henry, continued to enjoy the revenues of the Archdiocese and celebrated Mass in the Cathedral till his death in 1572. After his death the revenues passed to the Protestant Archbishop.
Among the Catholic Archbishops who occupied the See of Tuam during the Elizabethan persecutions we may mention the names of Nicholas Skerrit, who was imprisioned in Athlone but made his escape; Miler O’Higgins, a learned writer and a brother of the famous poet. The name of Archbishop James O’Hely, connected as it is with the most pathetic period in Irish History, demands special mention.
He was drowned returning from Spain whether he had gone to plead the cause of Ireland at the request of Hugh Ruadh O’Donnell who was in Tuam with his army in 1596.
After the death of James O’Hely the great scholar Florence Conry was appointed to the See of Tuam. His work was mainly on the Continent, and he will be best remembered for the part he played in the foundation of the Irish College in Louvain University. But another interest attaches to his name, for we read in the “Annals” that, after the defeat at Kinsale, Red Hugh O’Donnell, “having determined to Spain, the persons he selected to accompany him on that mission were; Redmond Burke, the son of John, Captain Hugh Mostyn, the son of Robert, Flaithri, the son of Fithil O’Maolconry, a worthy order of the Order of St. Francis, who was a spiritual friend of his, and some others who were faithful friends”. And it was Florence Conry who administered the last rites of the Church during that last tragic illness at Simancas.
He was succeeded by an equally remarkable devine, Malachy O’Queely, who openly took charge of the Archdiocese, visited the parishes, said Mass in the Cathedral and opened Churches all over the Diocese. As the sacred vessels and furniture had previously been confiscated, he got many new ones made locally, and some of these are still in use.
He was killed in battle near Sligo, and since his death in 1643 Mass has not been celebrated in Old Cathedral.This was badly injured by the Cromwellian soldiery who came to Tuam after the great siege of Galway in 1652. In 1653 they pulled down the statues of the four Evangelists, which adorned the south wall of the edifice, and to-day only the pedestals remain.
John De Burgo, the successor of Malachy O’Queely, and a near relative of the Lord Clanricard of the Catholic Federation period, was forced to fly from his Archdiocese. He returned in his old age, and at his own request, was buried in the Cathedral, though it was then in Protestant hands.
Tuam without the Mass:
During the next hundred years the laws against the Church were enforced with full vigour and no Mass was publicly celebrated in the town of Tuam or in the vicinity. Nevertheless, as the reports sent from time to time to Dublin Castle testify, the sacraments were administered and all the ceremonies of the Church carried out. The friars remained about the monasteries and said Mass there, or in the neighbourhood, as occasion offered--- indeed it is said that in the abbey of Ballintubber, Mass has never ceased to be celebrated, though the Church was in ruins and repairs could not be carried out. The Parish Priests also remained with their flocks and said Mass in thatched houses, not much better than barns. In the parish of Cummer, near Tuam there is an open pit known as Clais an Aifrinn in which a cross is erected to commemorate the time when Father Hugh Nally, P.P. of Cummer, celebrated Mass there for his people. The pit was on the land of the O’Conor family (now O’conor-Donelan) and the priest was harboured by them.
Another interesting memorial of those days of affliction is to be found in Kilbannon. The late Archbishop MacEvilly used to say that he always regarded with great veneration the cottage in Kilbannon under the shadow of the round tower. In this humble building conferences were held during the penal days, ceremonies were carried out, and many people were ordained. It is now occupied by the priest. The Archbishop knew all the traditions connected with this spot, as in his youth he spent some time there with his uncle, Father Michael Gibbons, who was P.P. there one hundred years ago.
A link with Blessed Oliver:
Archbishop Jams Lynch was consecrated at Ghent in Belgium on May 16th 1669. He received the pallium in Galway from Blessed Oliver Plunket, who came to Galway for the ceremony. The Archbishop had a residence at Clonbur but had to leave it and go into hiding. He was arrested about the same time as Blessed Oliver Plunket, but being liberated he retired to the continent. He returned to his Archdiocese once or twice but again had to leave for Spain or France. In his old age he finally retired to the Irish College in Paris and there he died in 1713 at the advanced age of 106.
Dr. Lynch was suceeded by his co-adjutor, Dr. Francis Burke, a relation of Lord Clanricarde; he had to adopt disguises and live under an assumed name. He died in 1723 at Ryehill, near Tuam, and is buried in Clonbern.
Dr. Bernard O’Gara, who succeeded Dr. Burke, was a grandson of Fergal O’Gara, who gave valuable assistance and protection to the Friars who wrote “The annals of the Four Masters”. In return the work was dedicated to him. Dr. O’Gara is mentioned in the letters of the Protestant Archbishop of Tuam to Dublin Castle as “one Brieb O’Garah” which was his way of writing Bernard O’Gara. He was frequently threatened with arrest, warrants being issued to apprehend him, but he continued to work, moving about the Archdiocese in disguise, under the name of “Mr. George Fowler”. He was succeeded by his brother, Michael O’Gara, who also had to adopt a disguise. So well were his activities kept secret that the High Sheriff of Galway reported to Dublin Castle in 1744 that “ the titular Archbishop of Tuam” was one O’Gara, but did not know his Christian name or where he lived.
During the last quarter of the eighteenth century the penal laws were beginning to relax, and acts of Parliament were passed from time to time by the English and Irish Parliaments giving small concessions to Catholics. One of these permitted the celebration of Mass, and allowed “Chapels” to be erected.
Chapel Lane a Place of Sacred Memories :
The Archbishop of Tuam at that time was Mark Skerrit, who resided in a little cottage in Annaghdown near Ballinduff House. He lost no time in setting about the building of a “Chapel” and was ably assisted by his parishioners. At that time all merchandise was brought to and from Tuam by cart and many families were supported by this industry. When the Archbishop appealed for help in building the “Chapel” fifty men from the village of Killilane and Cloonmore turned out with their carts and drew sufficient stones and other materials for the completion of the work. The lane in which it was built is still known as “Chapel Lane” opposite the old meat shambles. But of the building itself, only part of the north wall and the holy water stoup now remain.
Archbishop Skerrit’s successor, Dr. Philip Philips, reigned only a few years and was suceesed by Boetius Egan , a member of a scholarly family of Brehons who had a school of law in their castle at Park in the parish of Clonberne. Their property was confiscated in the early years of the seventeenth century, but the Egans continued to reside near their old home, and were wealthy farmers at the time when Boetius Egan was transferred from Achonry to Tuam. He resided with his brothers in their old home in Dunblaney, in the parish of Dunmore, and here he died in his study in the year 1798. It is of interest to note that he was one of the first trustees to be appointed when Maynooth College was established.
He was succeeded by Dr. Edward Dillon, who was the first Archbishop permitted to reside in Tuam for over one hundred and fifty years. Shortly after his appointment, he opened a diocesan Seminary, the present St. Jarlath’s College, of which Dr. Oliver Kelly was the first president. It was opened in 1800 in two thatched cottages in The Mall. A licence, which in spite of the relaxation of the penal laws, was still necessary, was granted by the Protestant Archbishop, William Beresford. He also recognised Oliver Kelly as schoolmaster “so long as you shall continue to behave yourself well”.
On the death of Dr. Dillon in 1809, Dr. Oliver Kelly was appointed Vicar Capitular. He was not appointed Archbishop till 1814, in which year Pope Pius VII returned to Rome from Fontainbleau after the overthrow of Napoleon. He ruled the Archdiocese until his death in 1834.
Dr. Kelly continued to improve and extend St. Jarlath’s College. The house on the Mall, which was at best not very commodius, was abandoned, and the college transferred to a large building which had been used as the Tuam Bank. Henceforth this building was used as the Diocesan College; under the name of “The Old College”. It still remains part of the College Buildings which have grown considerably in extent since that time.
The first Post-Reformation Cathedral in Ireland:
About the year 1820 he formed the idea of building a Cathedral worthy of the Archdiocese. In 1827 the work was begun and the foundation laid. It was a stupendous undertaking--- the first Cathedral to be built in Ireland since the reformation. At the present day, when Churches, Convents and Monasteries are so numerous it is hard to conceive the difficulties that lay before him, and the courage and foresight of this man who undertook and carried out such a task. The penal laws, though relaxing, were still on the statute book; there had been several years of bad harvests, with low prices for all farm products; and there had been several epidemics of fever. His courage was indeed great, as the following incident, well known to the older inhabitants, will know.
The Protestant Archbishop at that time was Dr. Power le Poer Trench. Hearing that a church was being built by the Catholics, Dr. Trench expressed a wish to see it. He spent some time among the workmen, inspecting the new building, the walls of which were then just above the level of the ground. Leaving the busy scene, he was seen to shake his head, and was heard to mutter: “ They call him Oliver Longhead, but I call you Oliver Blockhead, for that church will never be completed. It is interesting to note that a short time after Dr. Trench’s visit to the site, an anonymous donation of one thousand pounds was received for the building of the Cathedral.
Dr. Kelly also built the present presbytery, and a house for himself in Bishop Street, near St. Jarlath’s College. The house is now portion of the Presentation Convent. The presbytery referred to is now a private residence which stands on the corner of Ballygaddy Road. The present presbytery is situated on the Dublin Road opposite the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy.
“The Lion of the Fold of Judah” :
After the death of Dr. Kelly in Albano in 1834, Dr. John MacHale, bishop of Kilalla, was appointed to Tuam. He was the first Archbishop since the reformation to be publicly received at the parish boundary (the old bridge at Ballygaddy) by the inhabitants of Tuam. He was received at the old church in Chapel Lane, where, three years before, the first Bishop of Galway, Dr. George Brown, had been consecrated by Dr. Kelly.
We do not need to dwell at length on the reign of Dr. MacHale. “The Lion of the fold of Judah” fills too large a space in the history of the last century to need special notice here. Suffice it to say that during his reign the new Cathedral was opened for worship for the first time, and it was Dr. MacHale who brought the Presentation Nuns, the Sisters of Mercy, and the Christian Brothers to Tuam.
The story of the coming of the Brothers to Tuam is an interesting one. Their first residence and schools were in Ballygaddy near the Presbytery. They had however only a short lease of the place, and when this expired, the landlord, the Protestant Archbishop, served notice to quit on the brothers, and they were evicted in 1859. This was fiercely resented by the schoolboys themselves, especially as it was known that the building would be converted into a “Mission House” for proselytising purposes. Hence, when the bailiffs, assisted by a large force of military and police, had evicted the Brothers, the boys burned the school under the eyes of the sentries who had been left to guard the place.
The Brothers then left the Town for a time, but shortly after the Archbishop brought them back, and secured the site on which the present schools stand, and to the day of his death, he contributed yearly a substantial sum from his private purse for the maintenance of the Community.
Lovers of the Irish language will always remember Dr. MacHale with affection and gratitude. He made mighty efforts for the preservation of the Irish tongue, and, thanks to his exertions, he left Tuam the most Irish speaking diocese in Ireland. He constantly preached in Irish and spoke it on all possible occasions. He published an Irish Catechism for use in Connacht; he translated the Pentateuch and published it in Tuam; and to show the flexibility of Irish as medium of expression, he published an Irish translation of the Iliad of Homer, together with a metrical translation of “Moores Melodies”.
In his efforts for the cultivation and spread of the language, he was ably assisted by many of his clergy, especially by his great friend Canon Ulick Bourke, who was for many years President of St. Jarlath’s College. Canon Bourke published many works of Irish interest, among them “Easy Lessons in Irish Grammar” , “The Aryan Origins of the Gaelic Race”, and an edition of the well known “ Sermons of Dr. O’Gallagher.
Dr. MacHale was succeeded by his co-adjutor Dr. MacEvilly, a noted theologian and Churchman. Dr. MacEvilly was followed by Dr. Healy, who was well known as an orator and historian. Among the more important of his published works may be mentioned “ A Life of St. Patrick “ and “ Ireland’s Ancient Schools and Scholars.
Dr. Healy was succeeded by Dr. Gilmartin , the Patron of the present Congress. We shall not attempt any eulogy of one whose merits speak for themselves, but we can, at any rate, utter a prayer that God will spare him to rule over us for many long years to come.
In St. Patrick’s Footsteps.
In the little village of Kilbannon, a few miles from Tuam, there is one spot which is held in particular reverence. It is the place where St. Patrick erected his altar and said Mass, when, in the course of his mission to Connacht, he came to Kilbannon, which in those days was called Dun Lughaidh, after the chief who occupied the fort there.Lughaidh was converted and gave up his Dun to the saint, who founded a church and school and appointed St. Benin as its first pastor. After this, St. Patrick continued on his way, going by Killower, Donaghpatrick, and Shrule, to Cruachan Aigle, which has ever since been known as Croagh Patrick.
St. Benin remained at Dun Lughaidh, henceforth called Kilbannon, in charge of the Church and School, and it was at Kilbannon that St. Jarlath, a member of a princely family, was educated and ordained. After his ordination St. Jarlath left Kilbannon and founded a Church and famous School at Cloonfush, a school wherein were educated many saints noted in Irish history, among them being the great St. Brendan.
No doubt, with the passing of the years, St. Jarlath expected to end his days in Cloonfush. But when he was already an old man, St. Brendan approached him one day and predicted that his resurrection was not to take place in Cloonfush. “Where then” asked Jarlath. “sit in thy chariot” answered Brendan, “as thou art old and feeble, and wherever the chariot wheel breaks down, there shall be the place of thy resurrection, and of many others, on the day of judgement”. St. Jarlath obeyed his command, and when his chariot wheel broke down near a pagan burial mound known as Tuaim Da Ghualain, he halted and built a Church, dedicating it to The Blessed Virgin Assumed into Heaven, and became the first Bishop of Tuam.
The Cross of Tuam.
The year 1049 marks another important date in the history of the diocese of Tuam. In that year King Aed O’Conor, after defeating Amalgaid O’Flaherty, established his principal residence in the town of Tuam. One of the greatest of this family, Turlough Mor O’Conor, ably assisted by Aed O’Hessian, Abbot and Bishop, did much for Tuam. During their reign a beautiful church was built, and the cross erected. The greater part of the latter still stands in the Square of Tuam.
This cross was dismantled following the destruction of the first Cathedral in 1184 and parts of the cross could be found in different parts of the Town over the centuries.
In 1852-53 all the available parts were brought together and were brought to Dublin for the great exhibition of 1852-53. When the cross was returned to Tuam however, the entire cross was placed outside the Catholic Cathedral, however, part of the cross was claimed by the Protestants. The shaft and cross head were claimed by the Protestants and erected over the grave of Archbishop Edward Synge at the east end of what is now referred to as The Synod Hall at St. Mary’s Cathedral and the base of the Cross remained outside the Catholic Cathedral. However, following discussion, it was agreed that all sections would be put back together and the agreement was that the Cross was to be erected, exactly half way between both Cathedrals, and in such a position that it could be seen from all the main streets in the Town. It was erected in The Square in the year 1874.
During the 1980’s, concern was expressed about the condition and the location of the High Cross. The design was fading away because of pollution and acid rain and, its location in the middle of a roundabout gave many people concern about its safety. Following a number of years of discussion the cross was removed from The Square in April 1992 by the Office of Public Works, (the OPW) who transported it to their workshops outside Athenry. They carried out a major cleaning job on the stonework and also did some minor restoration with a 75% sandstone 25% polymer mix. The cross was then brought back to Tuam in June of that year where it was erected in the south transept of St. Mary’s ( C.of I.) Cathedral where it still stands today.
The Chancel of the Church (St.Mary’s Cathedral) consists of a fine arch, and according to Dr. Petrie and all antiquarians since his day, it is the finest remaining specimen of Hiberno-Romanesque work in Ireland. It is larger and better than that of Cormac’s Chapel on the rock of Cashel which was erected about the same time, A.D. 1133
The name of Aed O’Hessian is associated with a still greater event in the history of Tuam. During his reign Tuam was elevated to the dignity of an Archbishop, and at the synod of Kells in 1152 the pallium of Archbishop was conferred by the papal legate on Aed O’Hessian, bishop of Tuam. The name of the first Archbishop is inscribed on the cross on the Square, together with the name of King Turlough O’Conor who founded here the Monastery of the canons regular of St. Augustine about 1140. He also founded the abbey of Cong and brought the well-known processional cross of Cong to Tuam, where it was probably first used.
For some hundreds of years Monasteries, Convents and Churches continued to be built in many places around Tuam. Cathal Crovederg O’Conor, grandson of Turlough, brought the Cistercian monks from Boyle to found Abbey Knockmoy, and he also founded the rich convent of Kilcreevanty. In the work of establishing Churches and Monasteries the Irish Chieftains were ably assisted by the Normans.
Political events:
It is interesting to see how political events changed the boundaries of the Archdiocese. The Bishopric of Annaghdown owed its existence as a separate See to the power and influence of the O’Flaherties, and comprised only members of their clan. When the O’Flahertie’s were defeated and driven beyond the Corrib, there was no reason for its continuence, and it was absorbed by Tuam. The fortification of Athenry and Galway by Englishmen who spoke no Irish led to further changes, this time by way of diminution. The English in both of these Towns objected to the Irish speaking clergy under the jurisdiction of Tuam, and in 1484 petitioned the Pope to grant them a Bishop and clergy of their own. After some time this was granted for Galway and some neighbouring parishes, which were henceforth administered by clergy under a Warden. This system continued until about 1830. When Galway became a Bishopric, he claims of Athenry were not pressed and it remains in the Archdiocese of Tuam.
Space will not permit us to speak of the many Archbishops who ruled in Tuam till the suppression of the Church in the reign of Henry XIII, though there were many able and remarkable men among them. We must content ourselves with the mention of Maurice O’Fihelly, a native of Baltimore, Co. Cork. He was the author of many books, and was himself a practical printer at a time when printing was a comparatively new art. On his way from Rome to take charge of the Archdiocese he fell ill at Galway, and died at the Franciscan Convent there on May 24th 1513
Tuam Since the Reformation:
The great persecution of the Church did not reach its full fury in Tuam till the time of Elizabeth. Archbishop Christopher Bodkin, though he gave obedience to Henry, continued to enjoy the revenues of the Archdiocese and celebrated Mass in the Cathedral till his death in 1572. After his death the revenues passed to the Protestant Archbishop.
Among the Catholic Archbishops who occupied the See of Tuam during the Elizabethan persecutions we may mention the names of Nicholas Skerrit, who was imprisioned in Athlone but made his escape; Miler O’Higgins, a learned writer and a brother of the famous poet. The name of Archbishop James O’Hely, connected as it is with the most pathetic period in Irish History, demands special mention.
He was drowned returning from Spain whether he had gone to plead the cause of Ireland at the request of Hugh Ruadh O’Donnell who was in Tuam with his army in 1596.
After the death of James O’Hely the great scholar Florence Conry was appointed to the See of Tuam. His work was mainly on the Continent, and he will be best remembered for the part he played in the foundation of the Irish College in Louvain University. But another interest attaches to his name, for we read in the “Annals” that, after the defeat at Kinsale, Red Hugh O’Donnell, “having determined to Spain, the persons he selected to accompany him on that mission were; Redmond Burke, the son of John, Captain Hugh Mostyn, the son of Robert, Flaithri, the son of Fithil O’Maolconry, a worthy order of the Order of St. Francis, who was a spiritual friend of his, and some others who were faithful friends”. And it was Florence Conry who administered the last rites of the Church during that last tragic illness at Simancas.
He was succeeded by an equally remarkable devine, Malachy O’Queely, who openly took charge of the Archdiocese, visited the parishes, said Mass in the Cathedral and opened Churches all over the Diocese. As the sacred vessels and furniture had previously been confiscated, he got many new ones made locally, and some of these are still in use.
He was killed in battle near Sligo, and since his death in 1643 Mass has not been celebrated in Old Cathedral.This was badly injured by the Cromwellian soldiery who came to Tuam after the great siege of Galway in 1652. In 1653 they pulled down the statues of the four Evangelists, which adorned the south wall of the edifice, and to-day only the pedestals remain.
John De Burgo, the successor of Malachy O’Queely, and a near relative of the Lord Clanricard of the Catholic Federation period, was forced to fly from his Archdiocese. He returned in his old age, and at his own request, was buried in the Cathedral, though it was then in Protestant hands.
Tuam without the Mass:
During the next hundred years the laws against the Church were enforced with full vigour and no Mass was publicly celebrated in the town of Tuam or in the vicinity. Nevertheless, as the reports sent from time to time to Dublin Castle testify, the sacraments were administered and all the ceremonies of the Church carried out. The friars remained about the monasteries and said Mass there, or in the neighbourhood, as occasion offered--- indeed it is said that in the abbey of Ballintubber, Mass has never ceased to be celebrated, though the Church was in ruins and repairs could not be carried out. The Parish Priests also remained with their flocks and said Mass in thatched houses, not much better than barns. In the parish of Cummer, near Tuam there is an open pit known as Clais an Aifrinn in which a cross is erected to commemorate the time when Father Hugh Nally, P.P. of Cummer, celebrated Mass there for his people. The pit was on the land of the O’Conor family (now O’conor-Donelan) and the priest was harboured by them.
Another interesting memorial of those days of affliction is to be found in Kilbannon. The late Archbishop MacEvilly used to say that he always regarded with great veneration the cottage in Kilbannon under the shadow of the round tower. In this humble building conferences were held during the penal days, ceremonies were carried out, and many people were ordained. It is now occupied by the priest. The Archbishop knew all the traditions connected with this spot, as in his youth he spent some time there with his uncle, Father Michael Gibbons, who was P.P. there one hundred years ago.
A link with Blessed Oliver:
Archbishop Jams Lynch was consecrated at Ghent in Belgium on May 16th 1669. He received the pallium in Galway from Blessed Oliver Plunket, who came to Galway for the ceremony. The Archbishop had a residence at Clonbur but had to leave it and go into hiding. He was arrested about the same time as Blessed Oliver Plunket, but being liberated he retired to the continent. He returned to his Archdiocese once or twice but again had to leave for Spain or France. In his old age he finally retired to the Irish College in Paris and there he died in 1713 at the advanced age of 106.
Dr. Lynch was suceeded by his co-adjutor, Dr. Francis Burke, a relation of Lord Clanricarde; he had to adopt disguises and live under an assumed name. He died in 1723 at Ryehill, near Tuam, and is buried in Clonbern.
Dr. Bernard O’Gara, who succeeded Dr. Burke, was a grandson of Fergal O’Gara, who gave valuable assistance and protection to the Friars who wrote “The annals of the Four Masters”. In return the work was dedicated to him. Dr. O’Gara is mentioned in the letters of the Protestant Archbishop of Tuam to Dublin Castle as “one Brieb O’Garah” which was his way of writing Bernard O’Gara. He was frequently threatened with arrest, warrants being issued to apprehend him, but he continued to work, moving about the Archdiocese in disguise, under the name of “Mr. George Fowler”. He was succeeded by his brother, Michael O’Gara, who also had to adopt a disguise. So well were his activities kept secret that the High Sheriff of Galway reported to Dublin Castle in 1744 that “ the titular Archbishop of Tuam” was one O’Gara, but did not know his Christian name or where he lived.
During the last quarter of the eighteenth century the penal laws were beginning to relax, and acts of Parliament were passed from time to time by the English and Irish Parliaments giving small concessions to Catholics. One of these permitted the celebration of Mass, and allowed “Chapels” to be erected.
Chapel Lane a Place of Sacred Memories :
The Archbishop of Tuam at that time was Mark Skerrit, who resided in a little cottage in Annaghdown near Ballinduff House. He lost no time in setting about the building of a “Chapel” and was ably assisted by his parishioners. At that time all merchandise was brought to and from Tuam by cart and many families were supported by this industry. When the Archbishop appealed for help in building the “Chapel” fifty men from the village of Killilane and Cloonmore turned out with their carts and drew sufficient stones and other materials for the completion of the work. The lane in which it was built is still known as “Chapel Lane” opposite the old meat shambles. But of the building itself, only part of the north wall and the holy water stoup now remain.
Archbishop Skerrit’s successor, Dr. Philip Philips, reigned only a few years and was suceesed by Boetius Egan , a member of a scholarly family of Brehons who had a school of law in their castle at Park in the parish of Clonberne. Their property was confiscated in the early years of the seventeenth century, but the Egans continued to reside near their old home, and were wealthy farmers at the time when Boetius Egan was transferred from Achonry to Tuam. He resided with his brothers in their old home in Dunblaney, in the parish of Dunmore, and here he died in his study in the year 1798. It is of interest to note that he was one of the first trustees to be appointed when Maynooth College was established.
He was succeeded by Dr. Edward Dillon, who was the first Archbishop permitted to reside in Tuam for over one hundred and fifty years. Shortly after his appointment, he opened a diocesan Seminary, the present St. Jarlath’s College, of which Dr. Oliver Kelly was the first president. It was opened in 1800 in two thatched cottages in The Mall. A licence, which in spite of the relaxation of the penal laws, was still necessary, was granted by the Protestant Archbishop, William Beresford. He also recognised Oliver Kelly as schoolmaster “so long as you shall continue to behave yourself well”.
On the death of Dr. Dillon in 1809, Dr. Oliver Kelly was appointed Vicar Capitular. He was not appointed Archbishop till 1814, in which year Pope Pius VII returned to Rome from Fontainbleau after the overthrow of Napoleon. He ruled the Archdiocese until his death in 1834.
Dr. Kelly continued to improve and extend St. Jarlath’s College. The house on the Mall, which was at best not very commodius, was abandoned, and the college transferred to a large building which had been used as the Tuam Bank. Henceforth this building was used as the Diocesan College; under the name of “The Old College”. It still remains part of the College Buildings which have grown considerably in extent since that time.
The first Post-Reformation Cathedral in Ireland:
About the year 1820 he formed the idea of building a Cathedral worthy of the Archdiocese. In 1827 the work was begun and the foundation laid. It was a stupendous undertaking--- the first Cathedral to be built in Ireland since the reformation. At the present day, when Churches, Convents and Monasteries are so numerous it is hard to conceive the difficulties that lay before him, and the courage and foresight of this man who undertook and carried out such a task. The penal laws, though relaxing, were still on the statute book; there had been several years of bad harvests, with low prices for all farm products; and there had been several epidemics of fever. His courage was indeed great, as the following incident, well known to the older inhabitants, will know.
The Protestant Archbishop at that time was Dr. Power le Poer Trench. Hearing that a church was being built by the Catholics, Dr. Trench expressed a wish to see it. He spent some time among the workmen, inspecting the new building, the walls of which were then just above the level of the ground. Leaving the busy scene, he was seen to shake his head, and was heard to mutter: “ They call him Oliver Longhead, but I call you Oliver Blockhead, for that church will never be completed. It is interesting to note that a short time after Dr. Trench’s visit to the site, an anonymous donation of one thousand pounds was received for the building of the Cathedral.
Dr. Kelly also built the present presbytery, and a house for himself in Bishop Street, near St. Jarlath’s College. The house is now portion of the Presentation Convent. The presbytery referred to is now a private residence which stands on the corner of Ballygaddy Road. The present presbytery is situated on the Dublin Road opposite the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy.
“The Lion of the Fold of Judah” :
After the death of Dr. Kelly in Albano in 1834, Dr. John MacHale, bishop of Kilalla, was appointed to Tuam. He was the first Archbishop since the reformation to be publicly received at the parish boundary (the old bridge at Ballygaddy) by the inhabitants of Tuam. He was received at the old church in Chapel Lane, where, three years before, the first Bishop of Galway, Dr. George Brown, had been consecrated by Dr. Kelly.
We do not need to dwell at length on the reign of Dr. MacHale. “The Lion of the fold of Judah” fills too large a space in the history of the last century to need special notice here. Suffice it to say that during his reign the new Cathedral was opened for worship for the first time, and it was Dr. MacHale who brought the Presentation Nuns, the Sisters of Mercy, and the Christian Brothers to Tuam.
The story of the coming of the Brothers to Tuam is an interesting one. Their first residence and schools were in Ballygaddy near the Presbytery. They had however only a short lease of the place, and when this expired, the landlord, the Protestant Archbishop, served notice to quit on the brothers, and they were evicted in 1859. This was fiercely resented by the schoolboys themselves, especially as it was known that the building would be converted into a “Mission House” for proselytising purposes. Hence, when the bailiffs, assisted by a large force of military and police, had evicted the Brothers, the boys burned the school under the eyes of the sentries who had been left to guard the place.
The Brothers then left the Town for a time, but shortly after the Archbishop brought them back, and secured the site on which the present schools stand, and to the day of his death, he contributed yearly a substantial sum from his private purse for the maintenance of the Community.
Lovers of the Irish language will always remember Dr. MacHale with affection and gratitude. He made mighty efforts for the preservation of the Irish tongue, and, thanks to his exertions, he left Tuam the most Irish speaking diocese in Ireland. He constantly preached in Irish and spoke it on all possible occasions. He published an Irish Catechism for use in Connacht; he translated the Pentateuch and published it in Tuam; and to show the flexibility of Irish as medium of expression, he published an Irish translation of the Iliad of Homer, together with a metrical translation of “Moores Melodies”.
In his efforts for the cultivation and spread of the language, he was ably assisted by many of his clergy, especially by his great friend Canon Ulick Bourke, who was for many years President of St. Jarlath’s College. Canon Bourke published many works of Irish interest, among them “Easy Lessons in Irish Grammar” , “The Aryan Origins of the Gaelic Race”, and an edition of the well known “ Sermons of Dr. O’Gallagher.
Dr. MacHale was succeeded by his co-adjutor Dr. MacEvilly, a noted theologian and Churchman. Dr. MacEvilly was followed by Dr. Healy, who was well known as an orator and historian. Among the more important of his published works may be mentioned “ A Life of St. Patrick “ and “ Ireland’s Ancient Schools and Scholars.
Dr. Healy was succeeded by Dr. Gilmartin , the Patron of the present Congress. We shall not attempt any eulogy of one whose merits speak for themselves, but we can, at any rate, utter a prayer that God will spare him to rule over us for many long years to come.
