Peter Geraghty
Brian Geraghty
Peter was from the townland of Tryhill in East Galway, not far from Ballinamore Bridge and the county border with Roscommon.
His father’s name was Bernard; married to Bridget (Kenny), they had a large family of six boys and three girls.
He was one of four of the brothers who were sent to be educated at Summerhill College, Sligo, their Diocesan Secondary College. Two of them became Columban Missionary priests. Fr. James, the elder one, suffered medical issues which prevented him from working abroad in the traditional missionary areas. Instead, he became Professor of Moral Theology at Dalgan Park, carving a reputation for himself, particularly in the areas of Moral Theology and Canon Law. Fr. Brian, on the other hand, spent his life abroad and became head of the Columban Missionaries in Korea. He suffered a lengthy internment by the Japanese during the Second World War years. Third brother Patrick, or Pa as he was known, became an engineer. He married May (O’Gara) from near Ballinrobe and they lived in Lenaboy Park in Salthill. They had three very popular sons – Barney, Seamus and Michael.
Dad, however, the fourth of the brothers at Summerhill cut short his schooling there. He chose instead to train for a career in business. This finally led him to Galway Town to join and help his sister Catherine at The Banba Hotel in Salthill, while he further advanced his business training. This led to a retail career with Lipton’s and later with Powell’s of the Four Corners, in Galway. Dad’s other two brothers, Joe and Martin, stayed put in Tryhill and worked the family farm.
Under a Western Development Scheme, they qualified for an upgrade which saw them transfer from Tryhill to a lovely holding in Lowville, Ahascragh. Martin, a quiet and gentle man, never married. Joe did however, to Gertie (Forde) a fellow Galwegian from Killchreest and they had two very nice children, Breege and Brian. Gertie was a really lovely lady and a smashing aunt with whom I enjoyed some fabulous summer holidays. Her wish was that everyone should enjoy themselves as much as possible, especially the children. There was another house member also, namely Tom MacMurragh, a really nice man. Officially a farm help, he was so much more, and was a very highly regarded member of the family.
Life in the Banba Hotel, Salthill
Dad’s two sisters were Catherine and Bea, the youngest of the family. As mentioned above Catherine owned and ran the very popular Banba Hotel which was noted for its good food and style. She had great class and obviously had learned much during her years spent earlier in America. I lived in the hotel with her during my college years as well as at other times also. I will never forget her kindness and generosity to me as well as her great sense of humour. She had her own private quarters in the hotel and had a select group of friends who were regular guests and performers at her sing- song, story- telling and poetry nights.
I remember she had a great time for Johnny Keogh and loved his special rendition of Grey’s Elegy on these occasions. Bridget (or Bea), Catherine’s much younger sister came from the family home to Galway to receive her secondary schooling at Taylor’s Hill Convent. Afterwards she lived with Catherine as part of management in the Banba. She married the eminent surgeon Neil McDermott circa 1949. They lived in “Nile Lodge”, the magnificent McDermott family home, after which the area is known. He became President of the College of Surgeons of Ireland. They had two sons. Niall, a really lovely man who became a Neurologist, but died a relatively young man, while younger brother Seamus, chose Surgery. Each worked full-time in Britain.
Geraghty’s shop on Main Street, Oughterard
Then sometime in the mid 1940’s my parents succeeded in renting a property on the Main Street in Oughterard. It was situated directly opposite the Kirk, which by then had become The Parochial Hall. It was a large two storey house needing considerable repair work and was owned by Mrs Ellen Ferris (nee Darcy) originally from Magheramore. Her husband, Jones, had passed away, leaving her with a large family to look after. The family had moved to a bungalow which they built beside the bigger house, as they felt the latter was no longer suitable. This would provide Dad with the site he required from which to start a business at last. After some preparation he opened a butcher shop, six days per week, five in Oughterard, with the sixth divided between Spiddal (from an extension by the side of Conway’s pub) and Knock (beyond Spiddal). His customers in Seanapheistin would be attended to enroute. I would accompany him when free from school. I loved it and took advantage of my time spent ‘’san Fíor Gaeltacht’’. Not long afterwards my parents were offered the opportunity to purchase and they quickly availed of the chance. This was in the latter half of the 1940’s, to the best of my memory.
A deal was done with as little delay as possible. We finally vacated Lemonfield and moved once more to the Courthouse, while awaiting the completion of our new house. Dad immediately set about building a completely new house on Main Street.
It would meet Mum’s working needs and would include a new shop area and shop front. Dad had the highest regard for Tommy Dixon, as a person and as a builder and he was delighted when Tommy agreed to do the work. About then he informed us also that he intended changing from the butchering business and would open instead a grocery and convenience store. Mum was delighted with this decision as she had seen how hard he had to work at the former and could appreciate his view that it would be most difficult for him to make a success of it on his own. In retrospect, however, as I grew up to know Dad so much better, I could see another reason why he decided to make the change. What with tending shop all week, Sunday was the only day he had for replenishing his sales stock, in other words buying his cattle, sheep or poultry.
Peter’s GAA Involvement
His Sundays however, by this time were given over to the Oughterard GAA. He prepared Corribdale for its West Board and interclub Sunday games. He lined the pitch, arranged things for the gate collectors and flew the Tricolour (when available). Furthermore, he would always be there to welcome the visiting teams to Oughterard. John Joe Halloran, the County Football Chairman, chose to single out this lovely welcoming gesture by Dad for special mention in his address at our club’s 100-year celebration. I firmly believe that Dad’s commitment to Oughterard GAA was as big a reason as any other for him giving up the butcher business. I suppose this, together with the fact that it was much easier to get a grocery assistant than a dependable person to buy your cattle etc. was the reason for the change.
Mention of Dad’s role in the life of Oughterard GAA reminds me of how chuffed I was when he was especially honoured at the Seamus O’Maille Club’s 100-year celebration. His outstanding role in the growth and development of the club was singularly recorded; fair play to the Club and to himself also, for I can honestly say that he richly deserved the honour. He founded the Oughterard Camogie Club also, along with Tessie Clancy from Portacarron, which led to some epic games against Moycullen at the Ross Sports on Assumption Day, August 15th. How we admired the skills of our only hurler ‘’an gCliabhan’’, namely Margaret Burke who had come to work in Oughterard and subsequently married Jim Kelly from Derrymoyle. The Moycullen team included yet another fabulous goalie from the Croke family.
Ross Sports
No mention of the Ross Sports would be complete however without recalling two of its all-time greats. Firstly, the mighty Martin John Molloy from Glann, a truly great miler who was unbeatable at Ross. The other was the legendary Mairteen Thornton from Spiddal who represented his club in the football 7 a side till well past his sell-by date and just for the love of it. A great character, he had been Irish Heavyweight Boxing Champion and fought British and European Champion Bruce Woodcock at The White City for his titles. I can still recall the radio commentary of that fight. We were living in Lemonfield at the time and our house was packed as we were one of the lucky ones with a wireless. Mairteen was red hot favourite in our crowd’s view, with one guy loudly forecasting that Woodcock would be lucky to come out of the fight alive. ‘Mairteen has a secret weapon’, he proclaimed, ‘that he bought from a witch’. ‘Quiet’ was called for and everyone obliged, even the commentator, for the wireless went silent as well. Dead silent! ‘The bloody battery’ exclaimed my dad. These were the days of the wet and dry battery and the latter had conked out, never to be forgiven. Before he could say another word Jackie Murray from the Bridge dashed out, mounted his bike and was off to Cleggett’s, where he worked as an electrician, for a replacement battery. The gathering was shattered and stunned silent, though one fellow reassured everyone that Jackie would be back in no time. ‘Sure, Mairteen will take time sizing Woodcock up before he puts him away’, he was saying. Jackie was back in record time sure enough and rigged up the battery to a great cheer, just as the commentator’s voice rang out over the room. ‘Unbelievable’ he exclaimed. ‘Thornton’s corner has thrown in the towel’. The crowd was shattered once again, and went stone silent except for one sad voice moaning ‘I told Mairteen not to trust the flipping witch’.
Our new house completed
The completion of our new house saw us at last with a home of our own. The fact that her patients could now easily contact her pleased Mum greatly. Dad was equally delighted with his new grocery and convenience store. He felt that its location right across from the parochial hall, the town’s main activities and entertainment centre should be a big business plus. The house was a fine two-story, with four bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs and two living rooms, a fine kitchen and the shop area down stairs. The kitchen opened into a fine utility and wash area which were in a large outhouse. There were two large sheds. The back yard was large and there was a drive-in side-entrance.
While the move to the town brought an end to our most enjoyable life in Lemonfield (especially my own time there), it was a necessary move, basically. Firstly, having a residence that was easy to find was clearly desirable for a District Nurse and secondly, dad also needed the move with the view to starting his own retail business. Indeed, we soon found our new neighbours to be equally as friendly as had been the case to date. Indeed, many of them became our lifelong friends.
Shop Assistants
In previous years, with Mum so involved in her own job we always needed domestic help, except if Dad was work free. The first one I can remember was one of my all-time favourites, namely the lovely Mary, wife of Paddy Gill from Rinnaroon. As well as being an excellent housekeeper and cook, Mary, had a wonderful sense of humour and was great fun. She entertained me with her stories and rhymes, especially when I would be having my bath in a mighty big tub in front of the roasting range in the courthouse kitchen. We were all so sad when Mary left to join Paddy, who like so many others had to take the boat to England. Mary was followed by another really nice lady, namely Margaret Ward, daughter of Martin and sister to the popular Mattie and Christie. They were from the town.
The requirement now, however, was for a shop assistant – someone who would be prepared to help with a little housework also. I don’t know how Dad went about this task but I can say for certain he could not have found better than the lady he employed. She was from the Renvyle area, namely Mary Conneely, and was just superb in every way.
Dad had excellent business acumen and a great way with people. Finally, the shop grew in popularity to the extent that before too long a second assistant was necessary. Dad struck oil again, this time with a girl from the Laurencetown region of East Galway. Her name was Mary Finnerty. Another star, similar in many ways to Mary Conneely. The pair were true gems sent from heaven and we were so lucky. Thanks to our new home we were able to offer accommodation to our staff, so the girls lived in, each with their own room.
‘House Full’ so to speak. We would still be able however to accommodate a visitor.
Secondary School Education
It was about this time (1951) that I headed off to board at St. Mary’s College, Galway to begin my secondary education. Come to think of it, from that time onwards I would be resident at home for my holiday periods only. I enjoyed St. Marys but the only episode I will mention is something that happened during my second, or was it my third year there. I suffered two sports injuries, one while playing a hurling game, the other football, with each requiring me to have stiches to my right eyebrow. They occurred within a few weeks of each other, nothing unusual except that we had played on the college’s second pitch where livestock grazed. I suffered tetanus and lock-jaw as a consequence; was hospitalised in Calvary Hospital and anointed. I was given little hope of recovery and was being prayed for far and wide. Thank God the prayers were answered eventually. I was under the care of my uncle, Neil McDermott and Thank God for him also.
Superb Location
Indeed, the shop’s location opposite the parochial hall played a big part. Sundays were particularly busy with passing tourist traffic during the day and the Sunday night dances being a major plus. Thanks to the latter, we opened minerals and cut ice cream well into Monday morning. Dad would make sure always that the pathway and roadway areas in front of the street were left spick and span before we retired.
We all worked hard but Dad looked after his staff very well as he did with his customers also. He valued his customers, respected them and was always ready to help them. For example, with phones a rarity in those days it was necessary for our many emigrants as well as for their families and relatives at home to have a dependable way of getting important news to each other. Before long ‘ring Peters’ became the answer and Dad would never let them down, regardless.
The two Marys helped to a large degree to keeping our home a very happy one. They seldom complained and generally saw the funny side of things. One such occasion I can recall vividly. Dad had started a successful hackney business also. One night about 1.00am I heard Mary Finnerty knocking at my parents’ bedroom door and telling Dad that there was a man outside our hall door appealing for a taxi for him to go to Leam as ‘John Anne’s mother has died’. No reply from Dad so she tried again. Finally, Dad moaned ‘I know she has died; God be good to her. Wasn’t I at her funeral about three years ago’. He got out of bed however and drove home the caller, who was none other than John Ann himself, a great character I might add.
Lifelong friendship – Jackie O’Malley
Sadly, each of the two Marys left eventually – Mary Conneely to marry Jackie O’Malley (Melia) from Claremount and Mary Finnerty to return home. Mary and Jackie emigrated to Manchester and got on very well. They bought a fine pub there and I used to visit them when in the city. Sadly, Mary died before she could really enjoy the fruits of her labour. Jackie and family remained there and he would come home to Claremount on holiday at least once a year. He usually brought as his guest his friend and my old Galway football team mate, Mick Reynolds. We were so sad to see the two Marys leave but other excellent girls came in turn to help Dad in the shop and life went on.
My Teaching Career
After my five years in St. Mary’s, I thought I had a vocation for the priesthood and chose to become a priest for the Galway Dioceses. Together with eight of my classmates I headed off to St. Patrick’ College, Maynooth. I really enjoyed life there, but it wasn’t too long before I was having doubts about my vocation. Not being one to throw in the towel easily, I spent four years and a fortnight endeavouring to make up my mind one way or another, until finally, an in-depth meeting with my spiritual director left my mind at ease. We concluded that I did not have a vocation to the priesthood. My role instead was to try and be a good lay-man. I left for UCG, where after two years I completed my teacher training and a H Dip. in education. For those years I stayed with Aunt Catherine in the Banba Hotel and enjoyed life in Galway city. Summer and Christmas holidays were spent at home in Oughterard. I got a job in Tuam Christian Brothers Secondary College as a fill-in teacher for one year, at the end of which I got a permanent post in Clongowes Wood College and spent five years there. By this time however, I found that teaching was not turning me on, so to speak. I was not putting my heart into it any longer so I decided to call it a day. I left Clongowes and was fortunate enough to quickly find a job that for me seemed ‘made to measure’. Bord Fáilte was looking for someone to promote Ireland’s Outdoor Activity Products (angling and in later years walking, cycling and horse racing).
While teaching in Tuam, I stayed in Canavan’s of Vicar Street and found it excellent in every way. While at Clongowes I stayed in the College itself for two and a half years and commuted from Dublin for the rest of the time. I moved to Ireland East and the Dublin Region and then to Bord Failte but even now I miss Oughterard hugely. One sad morning in 1972 I got a phone call at Bord Failte from Mum to tell me that Dad had passed away during the night. This was totally unexpected as far as I was concerned and I was overcome with sadness. Indeed, I had planned to drive down and visit home that weekend. On receipt of the call, I headed for Oughterard immediately and over the next number of days, with help from friends, we arranged the funeral. It was one of the largest I can recall and I was so proud. Dad was such a loveable character and deserved a large send-off. I will leave it at that.
The End of an Era
For some time, Dad had been running the shop on his own, so we now had to arrange for someone to take over. We needed an experienced operator to do that properly. Micheal Walsh from the Raha area was married to our cousin Una Donnellan from Billamore. He was an experienced shop person having worked for years in Keogh’s. He had retired but very kindly agreed to take on this task, which would lead to closing the shop eventually. He did an excellent job and in due course, sadly but finally, ‘Peters’ was no more.
Thank you Brian for sharing with Oughterard Heritage Group your memories of your beloved parents Peter and Maud. Your parents legacy of care, commitment and dedication to the Oughterard community enriched the lives of many.
Benedict Anderson, the Anglo Irish author of “Imagined Communities,” wrote, “The dead, far from being gone, remain as a powerful part of the community. How we think about the dead, the stories we tell about the relationships between the dead and the living, are central to imagining new forms of community and/or narratives of nationhood.”
“People will never died it they live on the lips of people,”
May Peter and Maud’s memory Brian be a blessing to you, your extended family and the Oughterard community.
Síocháin Dé do Maud agus Peter i bhFlaitheas Dé ar feadh na síoraíochta.
Mary Kyne
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