Amidst the grey walls, turrets, and ivy-draped halls of Maynooth College, a revered gathering unfolded as the Maynooth Union welcomed the faithful to reminisce, share wisdom, and discuss pressing matters. The age-old castle and an ancient yew tree, with roots possibly stretching back seven centuries, stood as silent witnesses to the memories and camaraderie that flourished within.
As the clock neared 10 a.m., the first quadrangle echoed with the footsteps of a crowd trooping in. Old men revisited their youth, pointing out familiar sights and recalling dorm rooms with the nostalgia that only such institutions can inspire. The college’s unique jargon, known only to its initiates, resounded in conversations about Paddy, George, Charley, and Bobby, weaving a tapestry of shared experiences.
The colossal bell tolled, a familiar sound from the days when every man was summoned to the “prayer hall” at 6 a.m. The echoes of past traditions and routines lingered, connecting the present to a history steeped in the iron of penal laws. The Mass, “coram Cardinali,” unfolded with impeccable precision, accompanied by the harmonious voices of a choir drawing from the entire island of Ireland.
In the Aula Maxima, a familiar figure, the Cardinal, took the stage. His eloquence, deceptively simple, carried the weight of wisdom and guidance. His words, often initially dismissed as commonplace, revealed their depth when scrutinized in print the next morning. Under his statesmanlike leadership, the Irish Church found a stalwart guardian.
The first paper of the day, delivered by Mgr. Hallinan of Limerick, addressed the need for a “Catholic Defence Society.” The factual barrage stiffened the expressions of listeners, hinting at the gravity of the challenges faced. A Chicago priest, Father Smith, injected a spirited suggestion, advocating not defence but “Catholic Aggression.”
Luncheon provided an interlude for informal discussions under the park’s trees, where grey-haired men, including the narrator, discussed Mgr. Hallinan’s paper—unashamedly flouting societal norms by engaging in public smoking and candid dialogue.
Afternoon meetings, diverse in content, included a Gaelic paper on “The Priest and the New Life in Ireland.” While Gaelic posed a barrier, Father Currey’s paper on “Primary Education in Ireland” resonated with the narrator. Engaging in the discussions, he related England’s educational challenges, aligning the struggle and solidarity with the Irish cause.
As the day drew to a close, trains to Dublin carried a group engrossed in discussions, symbolizing the Maynooth Union’s impact—an ever-expanding ripple effect, reaching the shores of Ireland and beyond.
Tablet – Saturday 06 July 1907
