A Hurling Outpost In South Dublin – 1969

These guys must surely be bursting with pride at the fortunes on the field of their descendants in Cuala.  Cartlann Digiteach Cuala found this image in an article in Gaelic Life magazine in which the fledgling Cuala “Casements” Club was profiled.  Interestingly, at the time this article appeared, “Casements” was still officially “Roger Casements” so the description “Cuala Casements” , a title not formally adopted until 1973, demonstrates either great foresight or the fact that the club had informally adopted the name long before the amalgamation ‘paperwork’ was completed.  The club, which accomodated Minors graduating from Dalkey Mitchels and Cuala Boys, would later merge with Naomh Mhuire Camogie and Dalkey Mitchels to form the great club we know today.

Back Row: Rev Bro Considine (CBS Eblana), Mick Dunphy (Runaí), Joe Canny (Cathaoirleach), Liam Owens, Kieran Brennan.

Front Row: Mick Priest,  Brendan Lamkin, Jim O’Reilly, Sean Moran,  Tom Holden,
Tony Larkin.

You can read the whole article here. Watch out for the ads – some still going strong, others long gone.

Cuala GAA Monthly News 1976 – A Familiar Story

We promised you another helping of Magazines from times past so here we go again.

The year is 1976 and the March publication from Cuala G.A.A. is in the hands of editor Noel O’Donoghue. He penned a report on his recent trip to Belfast covering items that have ironically come back into the current news agenda (“every follower of Gaelic Games should visit Casement“) but also reported about events that we hope will never recur.

Runaí Joe Mooney was chasing Subs and promising austerity (plus ca change) but offering some relief (“hurls broken in matches will be replaced at no charge”) though we wonder whether this introduced any moral hazzard?

Of course we had lots of news that seems familiar today with reports of sucesses of the various teams – and made-up of so many still-familiar names

  • Mick Dunphy on Juveniles
  • John Bailey on the (“Dynamos”) Junior Hurlers
  • Jimmy Doyle on Intermediate Hurlers
  • Peter Burke on Junior Football
  • Mikey Sheanon on U21 Football
  • Joe Mooney U21 Hurling
  • Mrs Priest on Social Activities – and offering some poetic advice too.

And news too of Naomh Mhuire – still an independent Camogie club at the time but, by this time, already closely associated with Cuala; they formally joined Cuala in 1979.

12345678910111213141516

 

 

Historic Overview

Read more

Cuala Casements Monthly Newsletter – June 1972

We first brought you news about an old cuala Casements Newsletter back in 2015. At the time we anticipated bringing you more but somehow Cartlann Digiteach Cuala never quite got around to it. So we’re delighted to put that right and resume publication.  The next ones are compliments of Paul Hogan and Lorcan O’Raghailligh who we thank for taking the trouble to share them.

Two things strike us about these publications. Firstly, the great pride and enthusiasm shown by everyone who contributed to the magazines. Not much has changed, we hear you say.

Secondly, given todays digital/immediate publication capabilities, you can only be amazed at the effort that went into the production process. This was at a time when there were no word processors, no computers, no photocopiers, no clip art or image processing capabilities. You didnt even need electric power. The magazine would have been meticulously “typed as a drift” (oops, discard page and start over) “typed as a draft” to make sure the layout was right and then re-typed onto wax-coated Stencils. Illustrations were hand drawn, even individual fadas had to be added by hand. The page stencil was then mounted on a pre-inked Roneo machine which would be cranked onto as many blank sheets as the intended circulation required. Stacks of pages where then compiled and stapled. (See more on Roneos here ).

So, eventually, one for everyone in the audience – but only when the audience showed up in person – and with a “new 10p” (ask Grandad) to pay for it

It makes our current Cuala Weekly News seem like a walk in the park.

Here’s one from June 1972.  Well worth a read, if only to learn about the Cuala/CBS Eblana “Magnificanet Seven”.  And watch out for more next month.

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

’98 Shamrocks – Glenageary’s Medal Contenders Set the Right Tone

Today, 19 November marks the 225th Anniversary of the death of Theobald Wolfe Tone of the United Irishmen. This remarkable date gives Cartlann Digiteach Cuala an opportunity to take another look over the hedge at local clubs who played in familiar places in times past. This time, were talking about a Glenageary-based club whose founding arose from national celebrations in 1898 to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion. Such was the engagement in the Centenary Celebrations in Kingstown at the time, there emerged two 1798 Rebellion-related clubs, Wolf Tones (more another time) and ’98 Shamrocks Football Club which we deal with here.

’98 Shamrocks played their home games at Adelaide Road and fielded 2 Football teams. we have no indication of any participation in hurling.
Secretary was Daniel J McDonnell , a shipping Clerk of 14 Sanycove Road. Daniel was a native of Castletimon, near Brittas Bay.

The earliest fixture we can find was March 1898, when a game played at Adelaide Road saw ’98 Shamrocks line out against Geraldines (not our Cornelscourt friends but a Cabra-based side). Unfortunately, the Glenageary team was short 3 players and paid the price. Later the same month, player availability was not an issue when Shamrocks fielded two teams against Irishtown’s Sons of the Seas at Adelaide Road. The encounter was embellished with music provided by the Star of the Seas Band.

In May 1898, Adelaide Road was the venue for the Shamrocks Football Tournament that included –

Bray Commersials
Kingtown Wolf Tones
Dalkey
’98 Shamrocks
Volunteers
If crowds attending was a measure of success, then the Adelaide Road event was surely a show-stopper. Although reports of the event suggested that stewarding might have been improved.

When the Bray Parnell Monument Committee held a sports day at the Vevay in July 1898, Shamrocks featured in Tug-of-war and two Football fixtures –
Avon Rovers v ’98 Shamrocks #2
’98 Shamrocks #1 v C.J.Kickhams

But by September that year, the Dublin Board found it necessary to discuss Shamrocks failure to play Bray Commercials in another Shamrock Club Tournament. By October, the dispute was again before the Dublin Board. It seems the core issue was how how medals were disributed at the Tournament. The upshot was that ’98 Shamrocks were suspended. Their status was unchanged in November; Shamrocks were still noted as being suspended when the list of affiliated clubs was being reviewed by the board.

Incidently, local clubs being affiliated that year included
’98 Shamrocks, Sec. D McDonnell 14 Sandycove Road
Dalkey GFC, Sec, J.C.Browne, Sorrento Road
Wolf Tones, J.Butler Jnr., 9 Mulgrave St Kingstown

The situation dragged on into November when ’98 Shamrocks were once again asked to undertake to return the Tournament medals to the Board at which time their suspension would be re-considered . This time, Shamrocks complied and returned the Medals and – it seemed – normal business resumed. In fact, some Shamrock’s players were even selected by the Board for an exhibition match against the Dublin Champions, CJ Kickhams., in the run-up to Kickhams playing in the All Ireland final (club champions got to represent Counties in those days), the Dublin Board sanctioned a challenge game between Kickhams and a South Dublin selection which included players from Wolf Tones, Dalkey & ’98 Shamrocks.

However, more tensions arose at the County Board in Jan 1899 when ( not unlike certain modern Lilywhites) ’98 Shamrocks objected to playing a fixture against Bray Commercials “anywhere save at Adelaide Road”.  Later still, in March 1899, the earlier Medals dispute was once again brought to the attention of the County Board. This time, the Board entertained a deputation from Bray Commercials who, it seems, made a case for the medals to be awarded to them. But the Board took the view that the fairest outcome was for the match to be replayed at the grounds of Benburbs GFC in Clonskeagh. But the match was never played and the saga dragged on into 1900 where, in September, the County Board noted that the match was “still in abeyance” and the medals had yet to be decided.

And there, frustratingly, the ’98 Shamrock Football story dries up; no further mention in made in the contemporary newspapers.

Footnote: A different Shamrocks Club was founded at Carriglea in about 1900 – this time it was a Hurling outfit. We’ll return to that one in due course.

St. Benedict’s Football Club Dalkey 1916 – Cad Is Ainm Dóibh?

No. That’s not a typo. Patrons of Cartlann Digiteach Cuala have often been reminded that St. Begnet’s GAA, being one of our constituent historic clubs, has always been formally embedded in the Cuala DNA. We previously reported that it was believed to have existed since 1917, but had spent several decades in the wilderness before being resurrected in the late 1950s. Now, that belief about an earlier existence can be upgraded to certainty by the discovery of news reports that record the founding of a club and its first AGM. We even know the identities of its early players and officials and can point to their being in operation by 1916.

But there’s a catch. The earlier team played under the title “St Benedict“. Surely they meant St. Begnet in recognition of our local patron? A newspaper typo most likely? But here’s the strange thing, the team was consistently reported both locally and in Dublin County Board proceedings as St Benedict’s. At no time during its brief lifetime was it ever recorded as “St Begnet’s”. How this unlikely title came to be attached to a Dalkey team remains a mystery. There’s no known local association with St Benedict or the Benedictine Order. But the journey of this early Dalkey outfit is still worth telling.

It all started in 1916 with the formation of a local committee “Dalkey Athletic Sports Committee” which had as its objective “the formation of a football club and a pipers band“. They ran several Sports Days to raise funds and in June 1917, at a meeting in the Town Hall presided over by T. W. O’Reilly, they announced they had accumulated enough fund to start the football team (but not the band). On a motion proposed by M. Harte (that’s surely Michael Harte / Micheál O hAirt, Inspector of Weights and Measures from St Patrick’s Road) and seconded by a Mr Burke (probably Edward Burke of Ardbrugh Rd.), a total of £15-5s-7d was passed on to the new club which was to be called “St Benedict”. And that name prevailed; all their later activities were reported using their unlikely name

Even before the historic meeting, St. Benedicts was already up and running and playing in the Dublin Junior Football League. Between 1916 and 1917 they had fixtures against
Glasthule Mitchels, Bray Emmets, Stars of Erin and St Mary’s Saggart

Sun 1st October 1916 saw their biggest fundraiser – the Dalkey Tournament – held on “Killiney Road”. The tournament was well supported donation of prized by local dignitaries and businesses.

In October 1917, Begnets held its first AGM at the Forrester’s Hall in Dalkey and the following were elected
President: Fr. Fitzpatrick c.c.
Chairman: John Larkin (St Patricks Avenue)
Vice Chairman Frank Coleman (most likely the Postman from St Patricks Rd)
Treasure & Board Delegate: William Redmond (Castle Street)
Secretary: Mr Delaney
Committee: Michael Nolan, Edward Burke (likely to be the same man who seconded the founding motion the previous year), Edward Meegan, Patrick Smith, John Barrett (probably living in Talbot Road)
Capt Junior Team: Edward Reilly (probably from Ardbrugh Road)
Vice-Captain Junior Team: Patrick Keyes (this man is probably one of the Keys of Ardbrugh Rd & Kalafat Lane; his brother was the adoptive father of local playright Hugh Leonard

Capt Minor Team C Dignam (possibly Charles of Talbot Rd.)
Vice Captain: Thomas Byrne (Dalkey Ave.)

Selectors –
James Hammond
John Hammond
R Cullen (there were three Richard Cullens in the area – two at Perrins Cottages Bulloch & one at Sorrento Road)
W R Mooney
F. Reilly
O. Keys

Fun Fact: More than a few of the people named here were Gardeners or “Van Men” (cab drivers); which prompted Cartlann Digiteach Cuala to inquire who was the patron saint of these occupations. Amazingly, they share the same patron – but not who you think. Their common Patron is St Fiacre.

Despite the encouraging conditions surrounding its start up, St Benedict’s appear to have quickly become unstuck.  The last sighting was in 1920  when they were scheduled to play Stars of Sallynoggin (another short-lived side). We can only speculate as to why so few clubs prevailed beyond that time. Cartlann Digiteach Cuala can only guess at the reasons which would include ongoing revolutionary activities – several of those named feature in roundups during the period (e.g. Thomas Byrne & Michael Harte was “lifted” along with Paddy D’Arcy in 1921)  and poor economic conditions leading to emigration.

Our local saint was eventually awarded recognition when “St. Begnet’s GAA” was established (for the first time) in 1956 playing both codes, changed its name to Dalkey Mitchels in 1962 and in 1974 merged with Cuala Casements so that it continues to thrive as part of the great club we all know today.

Cuala Hurlers 1920 – And Our Very First Match Report

We first reported on the Cuala Hurlers of the 1920s back in 2011. Now Cartlann Digiteach Cuala has a good excuse to re-post because not only have we obtained a better image of the team but we’ve also built up a better picture of their activities including the earliest-ever Match Report of a Cuala team.

A word of caution, CDC believes the people named here are accurate but it’s possible some of the names may be mis-attributed. In any event this team is, without doubt, the earliest side that can show a direct link to members of the current club.

Back Row (L-R)
01. Eamon Quirke
02. Unknown
03. William Byrne (Snr.)
04. Paddy Darcy
05. Paddy Murphy
06. Paddy Dennehy
07. Joe Hennessy
08. Jack Thomas
09. Tom Mullen
10. Unknown
11. Charlie Somers

Middle row (L-R)
12. Unknown (kneeling)
13. John Moloney
14. Paddy Thomas
15. Tom Byrne
16. Liam Byrne
17. Eamon McNoibin
18. Seamus Byrne
19. Mylie O’Neill

Front Row (L-R)
20. Michael Byrne
21. John Kelly
22. Stephen Taylor (boy)
23. Jack Ledwidge
24. Unknown

#03 William Byrne (Snr) was the 52-year-old father of 7 boys, 3 of whom are in this picture – #16 Liam (aged 23), #18 Seamus (aged 21) and #20 Michael (aged 17). (Ages assume that picture is dated 1920).
Liam was the grandfather of Damien Byrne (Cuala and Dublin Goalkeeper) and John Paul Byrne (Cuala, Dublin & Leinster Champion).

If you know the unknowns, we’d be delighted to hear from you.

The Cuala Hurlers were active from at least 1920 when they played Junior Hurling under the auspices of the Dublin Board and lined out against clubs like Raperess,  College of Science and St Kevins.  In 1921, we have our first match report from when the Dalkey men travelled to Bray to play a friendly against St Cronins.

1922 saw them battling on and, in January at Croke Park, they played in the Junior League Final against Lucan Sarsfields. It wasn’t to be their day. Later that year, their league agenda saw fixtures against Conradh na Gaelige, Fontenoys, Fintan Lawlers and Confederates.  By 1923, they had become acquainted with St Dympnas, Kickhams, Young Emmetts and Rathmines.

Incidentally, all home games seems to have been fixed in the Phoenix Park but local intelligence is that training took place in a field at the “Firm” – near Hillside (thanks Harry Roberts). The firm was so-called, not after any particular business enterprise but because, it was the site of a large (ahem) “recycling facility” that had to be trampled down (‘firmed’) for stability.

1924 saw another busy year with fixtures against Civil Service, Civic Guards, Colmcilles and Shamrocks. Highlights of the season were a celebrity appointment in Enniskerry (more later) and the inclusion of two players – Byrne (which one?) and Ledwidge in a trial for the Dublin County Juniors.

The team carried on through 1925 and 1926 though they were finding it hard to keep in touch with dominant sides like Lusk & Civil Service. By October, they had only tasted success in 3 out of 21 fixtures.

After that, Cartlann Digiteach Cuala lost sight of this team and it was assumed that the team might have disbanded. But lo and behold, the hurling story was not over – we found them on the fixture list in 1932. Alas their game against Bray Emmetts was a walk-over. Though isn’t it fitting that both clubs are still thriving 90 years on.

At the time, Cuala supporters might have found the going tough but surely we can now look back with pride at this wonderful team that set us on our long journey to greater things.

Fun Question: When was the last time a local sporting event yielded two winners, a Cuala Hurling team and a horse?

Cuala Casements 1967 – 1974 – The Dunphy Legacy

Your Cartlann Digital Cuala co-ordinator visited Croke Park a few years back and was thrilled to find himself in the company of the then Uachtaráin GAA. Your correspondent introduced himself and mentioned where he hailed from- only to be greeted by “Ah yes, Cuala Casements“. My initial reaction was one of irritation (“. . get the name right . .”) but, on mature reflection, it’s not hard to see how this title had imprinted itself in the minds of such senior Gaels.

Recall, the Club we all love today grew out of a 1974 merger between Dalkey Mitchels (previously St Begnets GAA) and Cuala Casements (itself a 1967 merger between Roger Casements and Cuala Boys). St Mary’s Camogie came on-board formally in 1979. Although each of these clubs contributed handsomely to the DNA of today’s great club, Cuala Casements has earned a special place in the hearts of many of today’s older members and County officials too. The Sallynoggin-headquartered outfit played a huge part in promoting our games, especially juvenile and minor teams, and it left an indelible mark in the local GAA landscape. No surprise then that, thirty years after its evolution into the greater Cuala family, those at the top in Dublin 3 still referred to us as ‘Casements.

1974: Bridie & Mick Dunphy (centre) at presentation of Minor Football League trophy, with Pat Dolphin (L) and Brian Murdock (R)

Cartlann Digiteach Cuala is delighted to report that the story of Cuala Casements has not only been recorded but it has now been committed to our “digital” care.  The story, in the form of two meticulously compiled scrapbooks and a set of remarkable photographs, has been kindly donated by Mick Dunphy.

Mick’s parents Mick and Bridie were at the heart of Cuala Boys, Casements and the emerging modern Cuala. Both served on the Juvenile Committee and on the Club Coiste where Mick was Secretary 1965 – 1971 and Chairman in 1977. He went on to become Secretary and Chairman of the Dublin Minor Board in the 80’s & 90’s.  The Dublin Minor B Hurling Trophy is named in his honour; it was donated by Cuala following Mick’s death in 1999.  Incidentally, one of Mick’s remarkable interventions in Cuala was to select a young U13 outfield player to play in goal for the U14s; Dayo never looked back.

Bridie was Juvenile Chair and Treasurer in the mid 70’s. Throughout this time, Bridie faithfully recorded all the successes of the club in what has become  a treasury of sporting memories.   So we are delighted to present them here for your enjoyment.

We are very grateful to Michael Dunphy Jnr. for his generosity and co-operation in making this material available to the club.

Dunphy Album 1
Dunphy Album 2
Dunphy Photos

Related Articles

CUALA CASEMENTS – JUNIOR FOOTBALL – AN CORN PLANT WINNERS 1973

1974 – DUNPHY GUIDES CUALA CASEMENTS TO MINOR LEAGUE VICTORY  

A HURLING OUTPOST IN SOUTH DUBLIN – 1969

1964 CUALA CASEMENTS U13 HURLERS  

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

Cuala Head For The Hills In 1911 – But All Is Not As It Seems

Players and spectators at Shanganagh & Bray Emmets may sometimes be distracted from the game in hand to view the beautiful scenery of the surrounding hills. A well-known landmark on the skyline is the Ballycorus Chimney and its nearby companion, Carrickgollogan Hill. Of course nobody from the immediate area would know that hill by any other name except “Katty Gallagher”. Nowadays, it a popular site for hill walking but, in times past, people tended not to walk for leisure but simply to get from A to B.

So back in the day, March 1911 that is, an observer might have been surprised to see more than the usual number of people traipsing up around “Katty” – boys and men mostly – passing along what was, even then, a quiet country lane. What was going on? Where were they all headed?

Our local observer would probably have recognised many of the faces as they made their way up the Quarry Road from Shankill and heading for Ballyman which would bring them within sight of their final destination – Enniskerry. There, a battle was about to commence, or rather resume. And our travellers went by the name of Cuala!

Now whatever about their precise purpose, the revelation of this planned encounter has caused considerable surprise for Cartlann Digiteach Cuala. Until now, we understood that the earliest “Cuala” team was the side that dated from the 1920s. That was the Cuala Hurlers  who were active from the early 1920s. We even know that direct decedents of this team are active in Cuala to this very day (just ask Dayo or JP).  But now, in 1911 that is, Cartlann Digiteach Cuala finds that, there was an even earlier team that bore the name “Cuala” and it wasn’t hurling.  Nor were they from Dalkey or even Dun Laoghaire. What our reporter up at “Katty” had witnessed was a “Cuala” team en-route to play the second of a three-match series against Enniskerry – in Football.  And that “Cuala” team hailed from – Shankill. (Match Report 1: Mar. 1911 below)

These “Cuala” Footballers had lost the first game, probably held on a sloping field near Puck’s Castle. The second had been arranged to take place on a field belonging to William Johnston, proprietor of the Leicester Arms Hotel (now the Enniskerry Inn). On this occasion, the Cuala Footballers won the day.  A few weeks after the trip to Enniskerry, a decider was required and the third fixture was arranged in a neutral venue – the Peoples Park in Bray (Match Report 2: May 1911 below)

So where do these “Cuala” Footballers fit in the jigsaw of our own club’s history? Are they connected? And what became of them? Well, Cartlann Digiteach Cuala believes they might not have been officially called “Cuala” at all, or at least not for very long.

The term “Cuala” was used by many organisations. We had Cuala Press, Cuala Industries, Ceolteorai Cualann etc. But it was probably Conradh na Gaelige (The Gaelic League)  more that any other group that caused the term “Cuala” to be so widely recognised. They even named their local Ceanntair (region) “Cuala” reflecting the fact that it encompassed Conradh Branches in all the parishes across the ancient Cuala territory that stretched from Kilcoole/Delgany/Sugarloaf to the Dodder. Being convenient transport hubs, the area committee met alternately in Shankill (Harcourt St. Rail line) and Dunleary (Coastal Rail line) for meetings. Initially set up to promote Irish language and literature, Conradh quickly expanded its objectives to include arts and crafts. They promoted drama too. In fact the Shankill Branch was one of the first to produce a 3-act drama,”Toradh na Tada“, that was performed in St Mary’s Hall on Eblana Avenue in April 1912.

Significantly, for our story, at its national Ard Fheis in 1902, Conradh adopted a policy of encouraging its Branches to set up Hurling, Football and Athletic Clubs in their areas. And Shankill rose to the challenge. A team called Shilmaliers had been active in Shankill since about 1887 but by the turn of the century, it had become dormant.  So it was that, in 1904, under the leadership of many of those already involved in Conradh’s “Cuala” Ceantair, a team was “founded” – or more likely resurrected, using the same name as the former Shankill side – Shilmaliers. (Report 13 Apr 1904 below)

Cartlann Digiteach Cuala believes it was this team – comprising players and supporters so closely associated with Conradh that took part in those 1911 matches and that they had, adopted (or were reported as representing) Conradh’s “Cuala” brand.  Whatever their reason, the real truth can be discovered in the Match Report 1 (below).  Notice how their supporters encouraged the players with cry’s of “Go on Shills“.  Later in 1911, the news reports tell us that Shankill footballers were again in operation again under their official “Shilmaliers” banner. In fact they continued to play under that title (or Shelmaliers in later times) until about 1921/22.   For the record, the Shankill players in 1911 included –

  • Frank Crawley (captain, Shankill – now Rathmichael)
  • Pat McDonald (goals, Tillystown – now the modern village)
  • William McGarry (Old Conna)
  • James Murphy (possibly Leopardstown)
  • William Hanlon (Shangannagh)
  • John McGarry (Old Conna)
  • James Kearns (Loughlinstown)
  • Michael Rogers (Shankill)
  • Robert Kearns (Loughlinstown)
  • Terence Leonard (Loughlinstown)
  • Francis O’Brien (Tillystown)
  • Patrick Kearns (Loughlinstown)
  • Robert Tobin (Shangannagh)
  • Simon Doyle (Tillystown)
  • Joe Murphy (possibly Brennanstown)
  • Thomas Mahony (Shankill)
  • Michael Reilly (Loughlinstown, son of a publican, probably from what was to become the Silver Tassie)

And speaking of Conradh, here’s another link between that organisation and our own Cuala. Conradh na Gaelige was founded by Douglas Hyde who later became first President of Ireland. And it was in his honour that Hyde Road Dalkey is so named and where the one and only Cuala is proudly headquartered today.

The Cuala Marian League – And The Men Who Gave Us Our Club Name

This is a revised and updated version of an article that was first published in Oct 2017

The Marian Leagues were originally run across parish schools in South Dublin and North Wicklow from as early as 1953 (a year before the Marian Year) until 1973. The system operated independently of the GAA until 1960 when it came under direct formal control of the Leinster Council; uniquely the first such competitions body in the GAA not to be controlled by a County Board.  Schools participating in the Marian Leagues included –

  • Ballybrack
  • Blackrock
  • Bray
  • Dalkey
  • Dundrum
  • Dunleary
  • Enniskerry
  • Foxrock
  • Glasthule
  • Glencullen
  • Greystones
  • Kilmacanogue
  • Kilcrony
  • Monkstown
  • Newtownmountkennedy
  • Ringsend
  • Sallynoggin
  • Sandyford
  • Shankill
  • Stillorgan

Some of the smaller schools combined (e.g. Kilmac & Enniskerry) at certain age categories. And some Clubs participated too (e.g. Bray Emmetts, Wolf Tones (Bray), Foxrock Geraldines) and, in later years, Dalkey Mitchels and Cuala Boys (more of which later).

Initially, the “Cuala” Marian League was just a subset of the wider grouping of Marian Leagues in the area. The Cuala Marian League was so named in 1954 to uniquely distinguish its U16 ½ players. There was also section for U 18s called “St Kevins” (presumably called after the local saint renowned for learning and piety, despite being more interested in fishing than hurling).

 

(Update April 2021) Cartlann Digiteach Cuala is aware of an even earlier Cuala Primary Schools League that operated in the same area in the late 1930s; though it seems not to have lasted long. Furthermore, in the same period, we’ve caught sight of a “Cuala” Camogie club playing in Dublin but it seems unlikely that this had any connection with the local area.

The “Cuala” name derived from the fact that their area of operations broadly coincided with the ancient Gaelic territory of Cuala – roughly from The Sugarloaf/ Kilcoole to Dundrum/Dodder. And this name was used by many other groups and societies. We had Cuala Press, Cuala Industries, Ceolteorai Cualann etc. But it was probably Conradh na Gaelige more that any other group that caused the term “Cuala” to be so popularised. It actually named it’s local region “Cuala” reflecting the fact that it encompassed Branches in all the parishes across the ancient Cuala territory

As more and more boys grew up its ranks, the Cuala Marian League seems to have become the dominant section and soon this name prevailed as the overall title, often just called the Cuala League. Boys from Dun Laoghaire, Sallynoggin and Dalkey had been heavily involved in the Cuala Marian League. So it’s delightful, though hardly surprising, that we find an important family and direct organisational connection between the Cuala Marian League and our modern club.

The Marian Leagues were overseen by a small body of dedicated teachers and Gaelic games enthusiasts. Its long-time Secretary (and later Chairman) was one Seosamh Ó Drisceoil, father of Cuala’s own Colmán.  And another prominent officer was Pronsias O’Maolain of Harold N.S. Dalkey – a vice chairman and secretary. Another chairman was Fr Neville of Ballybrack.  So, when a boys G.A.A. club was set up in 1962 by Richard Curran, Tom Holden, the Cuala Marian League’s Seosamh Ó Drisceoil and others, it comes as no surprise that they also adopted the name Cuala Boys, making it the inheritor of the schools’ organisation so well nurtured by Seosamh and his colleagues.

And here’s a tangible connection to that historic League.  This medal was found  outside a pub in Co. Clare back in 1967. As you’ll see, it was awarded to “Dun Laoire” i.e. CBS National School Eblana.

Incidentally, we know that the the team a year earlier won the O’Brien Cup (U12 Football) and comprised Jack Vance , Trevor Murphy, Byrne, Murphy, Reynolds, Stubbs, Doran, Hall, Danaher, Doyle and Morris.

Dun Laoire CBS also lifted the McEvoy Cup (U15 Football) – Trevor Murphy (Capt.) Louis O’Connor, Derek Kavanagh, Seán O’Neill, Martin Clifford, Michael Duffy, Liam Taffe, Patrick Kelly and Jack Vance.

And while we’re naming names, here’s the Harold Boys Dalkey (U13 ½ Hurling) side that beat Kilmacanogue in the 1961 final – Patrick Hayes, Seán Dunne, Peadar & Liam Butler, Liam Whiston, Seán P. Dunne, Liam O’Grady, Gearoid O’Toole, Leo Ryan, Michael Hayes (Capt.) Paul Cahill, Liam Lawless, D. Muldowney, Leo Holmes, Brendan de Bheirned and our very own Gerry Wildes.

Did you play in the Cuala Marian League? We’d love to hear more stories and see memorabilia.

And here’s a tangible connection to that historic League.  This medal was found  outside a pub in Co. Clare back in 1967. As you’ll see, it was awarded to “Dun Laoire” i.e. CBS National School Eblana.

Incidentally, we know that the the team a year earlier won the O’Brien Cup (U12 Football) and comprised Jack Vance , Trevor Murphy, Byrne, Murphy, Reynolds, Stubbs, Doran, Hall, Danaher, Doyle and Morris.

Dun Laoire CBS also lifted the McEvoy Cup (U15 Football) – Trevor Murphy (Capt.) Louis O’Connor, Derek Kavanagh, Seán O’Neill, Martin Clifford, Michael Duffy, Liam Taffe, Patrick Kelly and Jack Vance.

And while we’re naming names, here’s the Harold Boys Dalkey (U13 ½ Hurling) side that beat Kilmacanogue in the 1961 final – Patrick Hayes, Seán Dunne, Peadar & Liam Butler, Liam Whiston, Seán P. Dunne, Liam O’Grady, Gearoid O’Toole, Leo Ryan, Michael Hayes (Capt.) Paul Cahill, Liam Lawless, D. Muldowney, Leo Holmes, Brendan de Bheirned and our very own Gerry Wildes.

Did you play in the Cuala Marian League? We’d love to hear more stories and see memorabilia.