In the heart of Ireland, where the River Shannon gracefully meanders through the picturesque landscapes, Limerick stands as a city steeped in history and coloured by the unforgettable tales of its unique characters. Among these eccentrics, the legendary Precentor Courtenay Moore, M.A., Rector of Milchelstown, has etched his name into the city’s narrative with charitable chiding and clever repartees that have become the stuff of local legend.
Precentor Moore’s abode, known for welcoming the vagrant train, became a hub for amusing and endearing encounters with the wandering souls of Limerick. His diplomatic prowess faced a test in Fethard, where a less-than-warm welcome awaited him. However, armed with wit and patience, he managed to turn the tide, even securing an extra loaf of bread as a testament to his negotiating skills.
Adding a touch of local colour to Limerick’s streets are the boisterous tramps, Tom Hayes and Tom Donovan. Tom Hayes, fondly dubbed the “sturdy beggar,” captivates the thoroughfares with soliloquies that blend humour and flattery. His refusal of work during the hay season, citing the disdain of Cork folk, introduces a distinctive local flavour to his vibrant character.
In stark contrast, Tom Donovan, a former soldier who once marched to Kandahar, unfolds a poetic imagination during his nights spent under the stars, or, as he aptly calls it, “sleeping out.” His vivid descriptions of Mrs. Mary Green’s lodging house, adorned in various shades of green, add a touch of literary charm to Limerick’s tapestry of wandering souls. Tom Donovan, a man of letters and memory, brings a different dimension to the narratives echoing through the city’s cobblestone streets.
These characters, whether legal luminaries bidding adieu to a statesman or eccentric tramps weaving through the labyrinth of Limerick, collectively contribute to the rich tapestry of the city’s narrative. As the sun gracefully sets over the Shannon, Limerick stands as a city that not only cherishes its history and celebrates its characters but also bids a fond adieu to a legal giant whose legacy is destined to endure in the annals of Ireland’s legal history.
Dublin Daily Express – Thursday 17 August 1911
