Galvin, Fr. James
January 01, 2001
Rev Fr James Galvin, who passed away, was President of the East Kerry Board since 1969. Fr Galvin was well known throughout the county and had a deep interest in GAA affairs right up to the time of his death.
Fr Galvin was born in Dingle in 1918, and was a stylish minor and indeed lined out with the Kerry minors at midfield in 1936 in the company of the likes of Joe Keohane, Gega O'Connor and Bill Casey. Kerry went all the way to the final that year, defeating Mayo in the semi-final, but his religious studies prevented the youthful Galvin from lining out in the final against Lough, a match incidentally which Kerry lost.
"I had to go back to Maynooth College after the semi-final and there was no way in the world I would be allowed out for the final," he later recalled.
Having begun his education at Dingle CBS, Fr James went on to St Brendans College, Killarney where he had the distinction of captaining the senior team.
After his ordination, he served in Caherdaniel before being transferred to Glenflesk where he left a mark on the future Glenflesk club. The Glenflesk GAA publication "Glimpses from the Glen" gives an idea of the part played by Fr Galvin in founding St Agatha's. "He was an inspiration to all who worked with him, everyone respected him," it states.
From Glenflesk, he travelled to Moyvane, Dromtariffe, Rathmore and finally Fossa where he spent 26 years as Parish Priest.
Former chairman of the Fossa GAA Club and the East Kerry Board, Pat Sweeney, paid Fr Galvin the following tribute.
"During his 26 years in Fossa, Fr Galvin became deeply involved in the GAA Club. In 1973, his encouragement led to the fledgling club fielding its first team at senior level and he played a very active role in leasing the playing field from the Liebherr Crane Co.
"He was also actively involved in encouraging the club to purchase its own ground and saw this come to fruition when Fossa played their first game in their new pitch two years ago. He was also present early last summer when Minister John O'Donoghue turned the sod for the club's new premises. He rarely missed a game with the club, be it at senior or juvenile level," he said.
He was, of course, also a former chairman of the East Kerry Board, (1951-52) and always took an active interest in the affairs of the board, indeed a cup named in his honour is presented to the winners of the Intermediate championship each year.
"He will be sadly missed," concluded Mr Sweeney.
Current chairman of the EK Board, Ger Calvin, himself a former parishioner of Fr Galvin, said that he was a man who was very much liked and respected by the community.
"He was a great character with an insatiable appetite for Gaelic games and was a true friend of Fossa GAA and the East Kerry Board," he continued.
"May I extend the sympathy of the board to his relatives, friends and the people of Fossa. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam uasal.
- courtesy of John O'Leary, The Kerryman
April 2002
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