Billy Gallagher

Sport was a big item in the curriculum and the best sportsmen had a certain aura, especially if it was rugby.  Everyone had to play rugby at least 3 times a week (Wed, Sat, Sun) no matter how dysfunctional.  I remember one frail little boy (my cousin John Gallagher) with two out-turned feet, milk bottle glasses and a bull’s lick togging out regularly and hating every minute of it.  Nothing suggests to me even now that it was wrong, just that it was of its time.  It did imbue an enthusiasm for sport in us and an interest in certain disciplines that never left us.

Religion was a major factor and we were 100% diligent participants.  I don’t remember understanding much about it but back then you participated because hell was a looming certainty if you didn’t.  In my memory we were living more in fear of hell than the possibility of heaven.  I remember as a 19 year old when everyone was a student (UCD) discussing if it was a sin if you kissed a girl for more than 10 seconds.  The answer was in the affirmative and the 5/6 of us agreed about this.  This conversation took place in Hatch Hall (Jesuit run residence in Hatch St), personally I was in no doubt whatever that this was in fact correct.

The friends made in boarding school are friends for life.  There is often a suggestion of homosexuality in this environment and I can honestly say that not alone did I never witness it in any way, I never even heard of it.  Obviously 300 boys locked up together can find attraction in others over perhaps a 6 year period, that is simply human nature.  Sexual activity was absolutely unheard of.  During holiday times, mixing with girls, going to dances etc was just as innocent as boarding school   The thought of looming fire was dissuading and the certainty of it assured.  Even thinking about things (breasts) was sinful (we thought), as for putting your hand up a girl’s frock, positively a “reserved sin” in our minds.  The morality of the time was unambiguous on this and even the religious I think believed it.

The priests who took care of us were gentlemen, dedicated, diligent and thoroughly wholesome.  We owe their memory a great debt.