'At that time priests were held in such awe so, no matter how dysfunctional, were treated with respect and reverence'

'At that time priests were held in such awe so, no matter how dysfunctional, were treated with respect and reverence'

Billy Gallagher remembers an alcoholic priests who called to his family home regularly and gave advice to his parents.

Billy Gallagher

Trinity College Dublin

1945

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Billy Gallagher

Childhood and Early Life

Life Story

Dublin, Castleknock College

1940's

In 1954 I was bundled off to boarding school in Castleknock in Dublin. The choice of school was determined by the fact that I failed the 11+ thereby disqualifying myself from secondary schooling in the North. My parents discussed in detail the school we should go to with a dreadful alcoholic priest from Donegal who called regularly to our house. His visit was usually for Drink and often he had to stay the night being incapable of getting home. He also suffered from scruples and while saying Mass could easily get stuck for prolonged periods especially as he approached the Consecration. At that time priests were held in such awe so, no matter how dysfunctional, were treated with respect and reverence. Latterly when he became increasingly unbearable my parents, if they observed his approach, met him as they were going out the door with their coats on. They would drive around for hours until they saw his car was gone. If we were stuck in the house with this huge man he would be looking for drink but we would make him tea.

Irish Research Council for Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (IRCHSS)

Dr Kathleen McTiernan (Trinity College Dublin)

Dr Deirdre O'Donnell (Trinity College Dublin)