Lar's lorry, his 12 'disciples', and a 1932 pilgrimage from Cork for the ages

ONE night, in a West Cork hostelry in 1932, the subject of the forthcoming five-day International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin came up for debate.

This coming together of the Roman Catholic faithful from June 22-26 was one of the largest events to take place in Ireland in the 20th century - an estimated 25% of the population attended the various masses and events in the capital.

It was concluded, after the odd drink (one, three or five!) that, if those men in that bar were absent, they could, God forbid, be branded pagans. It was agreed, they had to travel up.

On Friday, June 24, they set off for Ballinascarthy railway station along with scores of other devotees.

The train left Courtmacsherry with a large contingent of pilgrims and stopped at Timoleague and Skeaf - then the smallest railway station in Ireland - where passengers from Clogagh, Kilmalooda and surrounding areas boarded.

By the time it arrived at Ballinascarthy, the train was full to capacity and the men from the bar were unable to board.

What to do? A decision was swiftly taken to make alternative travel arrangements to Dublin.

My father, Lar Calnan, and Pat Dineen, both lorry owners, offered to drive the disappointed group up the next day, giving them 24 hours to ready the vehicles for the trip of a lifetime.

Lar, of Ballinascarthy, had recently purchased a lorry, to service local industry and the community and, if truth be told, at this point he was no expert at driving. The lorry was a Ford V8, petrol model, about 14ft x 7ft complete with side boards. The cockpit had a bench seat which could accommodate the driver and two passengers.

A few extra changes had to be made so rear passengers would be sheltered from the elements. Front and side cribs were fitted and covered over by what was known as a lorry cover.

For seating, timber butter boxes were procured from the nearby Ballinascarthy branch of the Cork and Kerry Creamery. Normally used for the export of butter, these were placed upside down on the floor of the truck with planks of timber placed across them. Passengers had to bring their own cushions, a generous offer of a mattress was made. Safety belts were unheard of.

At 10am on Saturday, June 25, 1932, Lar left Ballinascarthy with 12 passengers. As far as can be ascertained, these included Sonny Murphy of Carrig, Sonny Kingston of Lisselan, Jack Calnan of Pedlers Cross, Jimmy Murphy of Tullig, Pad Murphy (Goddle), Stephen Walsh of Ballinascarthy Post Office, Davy Nolan of Ballinascarthy, and Con Warren, of Ballineen (relief driver and co-pilot). Ritchie Barrett and his sister Mary, who had a broken leg, also travelled by lorry to Dublin, though it is not certain on which vehicle.

Fuel costs were divided between travelling parties. The group brought with them sandwiches and bottles of milk mixed in with the odd (that word again) bottle of Guinness.

They travelled an average 25mph per hour - these pilgrims made very slow progress. Allowing, at most, two hours for stoppages, they arrived in Dublin at about 6pm.

The lorry was parked up on the south side of Dublin city, from where there was a plentiful supply of buses and sidecars to the Phoenix Park. The men had arrived into a capital festooned with bunting, flags and special lighting effects, giving the whole city a palpable air of excitement.

Logistics for the occasion were very impressive, with a number of catering centres a short walk from the Phoenix Park. Likewise, sleeping accommodation was available in large camps, national schools, halls, and other places.

The Eucharistic Congress displayed to the world the strength and enthusiasm of the Catholic faith in 1930s Ireland, and left an indelible impression on all who attended, giving them pride in both their religious beliefs and nationality.

Early on Sunday, June 26, the West Cork pilgrims joined the multitudes in the Phoenix Park for the Pontifical High Mass. The icing on the cake for them was the address by Pope Pius XI, directly from the Vatican, over the largest PA system then in existence.

Equally, they never forgot Athlone-born tenor Count John McCormack’s haunting rendition of Panis Angelicus.

Pad Murphy said: “There were so many priests, bishops and cardinals to be seen around Dublin, that the rest of the world must be drained of clergy.”

Of the Eastern clergy, with their exotic vestments and long beards, he remarked that you wouldn’t want to meet one of these “peculiar-looking fellas on your way home after a few drinks in the local”.

That evening, Lar and his passengers departed Dublin, having purchased their refreshments for the long road home.

Tired, but exhilarated by their experience, the group arrived back in Ballinascarthy around 2am on Monday, June 27.

There had been no communication with home for two whole days. Sure, no news was good news, and they were the news, not alone in the village, but across the parish of Timoleague and beyond. It was the trip of a lifetime. You have to admire the faith of our fathers.

P.S. Lar returned the mattress to the donor and told her they had it blessed in Dublin, to which she replied: “You can keep the blessed thing, I have been trying to get rid of it for some time.”