Recalling the great trans-Atlantic 'link-men' for the Western People
The Western People’s first New York correspondent, Patrick Duffy, was a great supporter of Irish nationalist politician Charles Stewart Parnell (pictured).
Way, way back and long before modern means of communication were even dreamed of, the New York correspondents bridged the enormous void between home and the exiled son, daughter, family, and friend. And what a service they provided. They did not just relay the news. They put arrivals in touch with useful contacts and jobs and long-lost friends. The scope of their welfare work was enormous.
The first correspondent in New York was Kilmovee native Patrick J. Duffy, a great fan of Charles Stewart Parnell as were many exiles in America at that time.
Reflecting that respect, he reported in his column in March 1891 that the Mayo Association of New York was solidly behind Parnell and had "authorised" Duffy "to appeal, to beseech in their name, the clergy of Mayo, whom they love and revere, to never let it be truly said that they stood in the way of, or retarded for an instant, real (not in name) Irish independence".
He continued: "Let them not commit the great sin of staving off the long-sought and much-needed Irish self-government because of the private affairs of a man who is not of their religion, and whose incomparable genius and statesmanship they are bound to admit."
The was also a great supporter of Parnell and would have loved that assurance from New York.
Duffy faithfully corresponded for the until the renowned David ‘Cappy' Fitzgerald took over the reins circa 1907. One of the founder members and first secretary of Ballina Stephenites in 1886, 'Cappy' had been an apprentice printer with the fledgling before emigrating to join the compositing staff of the newspaper.
He knew everyone and everything about the Mayos who settled in New York and further afield and mailed all the news to the from the early 1900s right up to 1933, a mere few months before his passing.
His weekly columns were read with intense interest, people at home hanging on every word as they read, for the most part under candlelight, the comings and goings of people they knew.
‘Cappy’ painted a picture of a largely romantic, adventurous, well-to-do America that offered opportunities for a better life. The big annual Irish balls brought out the fashion and glitter of the time, and photographs eventually made their way home of merriment and glamour. But there were sad stories too, a murdered or a badly injured Mayo person or a missing acquaintance, shored up by the good nature of people rallying around to help those in need. But on the surface life was vibrant and had a buzz and an appeal in contrast to the greyness of the old sod. No wonder the masses headed for America, some to find faraway hills no greener than home, others to do much better than they could have done back in Mayo.
In August 1907, ten years after his arrival in America, ‘Cappy’ began chronicling the names of exiles doing good. There was ‘millionaire’ Charlie Jones, born in The Brook in Ardnaree, who was in the cut-glass and bric-a-brac business, catering to a high-class crowd in his two well-appointed stores; Festus Johnston - ‘our brilliant townsman’ - employed by Lee, Tweedy and Co, a dry goods firm of 86 Worth-street, where two old-timers from 'the town by the Moy', Sam Johnson and Charlie Joynt, also worked.
Another acquaintance of Cappy’s was Martin Sheridan, who “has set New York aflame by his prowess on the green sward".
"I shook his hand at Celtic Park on two occasions when I saw what a clean pair of heels he showed to his rivals," wrote Cappy. "Well may Bohola feel proud of such a noble scion."
Olympian Sheridan's name would feature frequently in Cappy's writings.
People from Mayo that caught his pen included — Leyden, Enniscrone; Charlie O’ Connor, Ballina; Dave Kelly, Anthony Kelly, Willie Moran, Michael Moran, Pat Moran, and Mrs Maguire, all of Bunree; James Smyth, John Henry, Charlestown; Pete Hopkins, Joe Hopkins, Enniscrone; James Callaghan, Ballina; James Walsh, Thos Walsh, — Brennan, Ballysokeery; James McDermott and wife, Ballina; John Timlin and sisters; Pete Breslin, Mike Breslin, Campbell Fair, Hugh Cosgrave, Mrs Carden, Culleens; Mike Kenny, Pat Kenny, and Miss Kenny, Miss Richardson, Mrs Clarke, all of Farranoo; Jim Donnelly and Pat Donnelly, Knockatinole; Mike Doherty, Belleek; Jim McManus, Ballina; P. J. Cowley, Aloysius Cowley, James Mullen, Thos Hennigan, Jack Kavanagh, Miss Mollie Caffrey, Mrs McKeown, John, Dick, Charlie and Pat Grehan, Mrs Ormstein, Mrs McLoughlin, Miss Walsh and sister, Luke Walsh, Mrs Hewson, and W. Monahan. People all known to those back in Ireland.
‘Cappy’ drew attention to the ‘literary tastes’ of P. J. Coleman, late of Ballaghaderreen, whose poems found favour in newspapers before business engagements in Philadelphia and New York "deadened his prospects of courting the muse for his Connaught friends". Coleman, the reader was told, was associate editor of the , and was afterward a writer for the in New York. In the same breath ‘Cappy' described Staten Islanders George Love and his sister (Mrs Wm Cobb), and her husband as "my sincere friends".
In reeling out the news, ‘Cappy' often gave the addresses of acquaintances in New York who were happy to entertain people who had settled Stateside. For instance: “Eddie O'Malley is engaged in the book business in New York. With his wife and family, they are comfortably located at 1762 Amsterdam Avenue. Mrs Loftus and family reside at 265 West 114th Street. New York. Call around and see them, and you will find they're 'as happy as the flowers in May."
Meanwhile, readers learned that Mike Moran was engaged in the plumbing business in New York.
“His brother, John, died two years ago in that city. His sisters (Mrs Coulter and Mrs Flanagan) have made the metropolis their home for many years. John and James O'Malley, of Garden Street, have followed up the liquor business for a living in Philadelphia. Both are successful.
"The Mullen family, late of Bridge Street, are a go-ahead bunch of fellows who have secured good positions in the Quaker city. I met Luke Noonan out there. He is employed by the and looks well.
"William Patten was an old pal of mine one time, but I haven't seen him in many years. He was engaged in the liquor business in Philadelphia. He is in the foremost place when Ireland needs help.”
‘Cappy' also delighted in meeting Malachy O’Connor, his wife and family in Brooklyn, while Frank Queenan was no stranger to him and he guaranteed a welcome at Mrs Westerman's or Mrs Aul's home 'for they were all Queenans'. Others to be found in and around New York were the Mullarkeys, Canavans, Ruddys, Harry Kenny and family, Grehans, Burkes, Anthony Cawley, Ambrose Halfpenny, and a small army of other Ballina faces.
Some twenty-five years later, 'Cappy’s' column to mark the Mayo Association’s glittering annual ball of 1932 in one of New York’s fanciest hotels encapsulated the bonhomie as friends met and celebrated into the early hours.
“There was Bob Marsh (a great Mayo footballer from Ballina) surrounded throughout the evening by young and old-time friends, from Manulla’s Jim Duffy to Ballina’s Edward Doherty."
'Cappy' regretted the unavoidable absence of Bartley Ferguson of Caltra, Ballina, but was delighted to bump into ‘dapper boy’ Pat O'Boyle from the famous hill of Ardnaree, “looking spic and span, and longing for his next visit to the banks of the Moy".
During the night he enjoyed an interview with Mr and Mrs William O’Dwyer. O’Dwyer from Bohola would serve as the 100th Mayor of New York City from 1946 to 1950.
An endless supply of names gushed through his column, lighting up the eyes of readers back at home.
“John Lawlor, of Ballysokeery, and Willie Mahon, of Ballycastle, seemed to be the centre of attraction of all patrons from Rosserk Abbey to Kilcummin Head. John was accompanied by his genial sister and her son - Killala's latest arrival to the shores of Uncle Sam."
He also bumped into his predecessor as columnist, the aforementioned Patrick J. Duffy who was accompanied by his “three most becomingly attired daughters, and his affable wife and brother-in-law".
Readers were told of the thousands of Mayos in NY and further afield who were looking forward to the arrival of the Mayo team to play New York in the famed Polo Grounds, “a great undertaking by William O’Dwyer”. Indeed, the keenly anticipated arrival of the Mayo team was the talk of the night. They just could not wait to greet their mighty footballers from Mayo. And ‘Cappy’ could not wait to greet his nephew and Mayo team member, the great Gerald Courell!
James Hannan of King Street and Garden Street told ‘Cappy’ he was ‘cock-sure’ some of his aunts would be in attendance though he had not as yet received the New York address of his aunt. Boundless ‘Cappy’ extended congratulations to Tim Caslln who had added another girl to his happy family circle. His wife, nee Mary Reddin, hailed from "dear old Castleconnor".
One can easily visualise Cappy working his way through the crowded ballroom, a Press badge with his Ballina Stephenites’ medal proudly pinned to the lapel of his resplendent dinner jacket, hands out to greet old friends who would within a few weeks make the pages of the n and gladden the hearts of those at home.
On his death in April 1933, a friend in tribute said it was a “safe assertion that there was no better known Irishman in New York than the genial active, optimistic and sporting little Ballina man".
"He kept the people at home in close touch with the movements and personalities of the people of his native Connacht in New York.”
‘Cappy’ was followed some years later by Terry Long, a name that will still ring bells with readers of a certain vintage. In October 1947, Long related that James Doherty of Charlestown was "a mighty happy man" as his daughter had recently been professed in the Dominican Order as Sister Miriam Theresa by Bishop Donoghue. A short time later, another daughter, Eileen, entered the St Agnes Novitiate as Sister Margaret Joseph.
In that very column, Long also announced a new arrival from Kiltimagh, one Francis Durkan.
"This athletic-looking fellow is a nephew of Mayor William O'Dwyer and hopes to be an M.D. someday. While registering at Columbia University the football coach gave him a ‘once over’ so do not be surprised if Durkan makes the famed Columbia football team."
As we now know, Frank Durkan became a celebrated lawyer. The observed on his passing in November 2006, that he was "a political spokesman who carved out a reputation as a fierce and clever defender of Irish nationalists". He died in Greenwich, Conn., aged 76.
He was a nephew of leading Irishmen in New York, William and Paul O'Dwyer.
Long’s last column, dated August 25, 1962, told of the Irish getting ready for a visit home: “The boats and planes continue to be loaded on their way to Ireland. It was fourteen years ago that Matt Scanlon left his native Louisburgh and he will make his first visit back, leaving New York on August 31."
Matt was accompanied by his brother Patrick, making his first trip back in 11 years. Also to visit Louisburgh was their sister Maureen, a nurse in Southern Rhodesia.
"What a homecoming that should be,” he enthused.
Shortly afterward, Terry Long headed off to holiday in Ireland where he took ill and died. In September, the reported that his passing "not only deprived readers of a close link with their relatives in the States but also created a void in the social coverage of Irish-American affairs". Amongst his many grieving friends was none other than Don Ameche, a famed actor of stage, screen, radio and TV. Both belonged to the same parish and became acquainted through the Novena programme.
Later Galwegian Willie Fahy took over the reins and kept up the good work. The last to fill the post was Irishtown native John Fitzgerald whom I had the great good fortune to bring on board in the late 1970s for a highly productive and interesting stint that extended into the early 2000s without a miss as far as I can recall. I had the privilege of talking with John when he was at home during the summer just gone by. A resident of Yonkers, he is married to Helen, sister of Frank Harrington (of Knock Airport fame). It was John who, with Mike Glynn, pioneered the showing of RTÉ telecasts of All-Ireland GAA finals in the packed pubs and halls of New York and surrounding areas.
To the memory of all those loyal correspondents, a salute!
