THE CORRAN HERALD • 2020/2021
Luke J Duffy (1890 – 1961) By Owen M. Duffy
This article outlines the involvement of South Sligo native, Luke J Duffy in the development of trade unionism in Ireland, the development of the Irish Labour party, and also his involvement in the setting up of the Irish Industrial Development Authority (IDA). Luke Joseph Duffy was born on 26th March 1890 in the family home in the townland of Clooneenbawn which is located about one mile from Gurteen and on the road to Ballymote. Kilshalvy Cross is approximately 200 metres on the Ballymote side of their farm. It was the meadows of Clooneen with their abundance of Meadowsweet (a plant with a profusion of white flowers in early Summer) which gave Clooneen or Clooneenbawn its name (Gaelic for small white meadow). Luke’s grandfather, Thomas Duffy and his wife Winifred Walsh (from Carrowilkin, Curry) took over this tenant farm of 10 ½ acres shortly after the Great Irish Famine. The farm stretched down to the meandering Owenmore River. The farm was later handed on to Thomas’ son, Patrick (Patsy) and his wife Catherine who reared a family of one son, Luke Joseph, and two daughters, Winifred (born 1892) and Mary (born 1894). Eager to see his only son Luke receive the best education available, Patsy decided that the long journey
across the Owenmore to Drumhillock, and later Cloonanure National Schools, would best serve Luke’s educational needs and interests. Hugh O’Donnell, who qualified as a national teacher from Saint Patrick’s Training College in 1892, was appointed as Principal of Drumhillock National School and afterwards to Cloonanure (built and opened in 1905). Both schools developed an extraordinary reputation for learning and that was due in no small way to the legendary headmaster, Hugh O’Donnell. Hugh was a member of the Board of Guardians in Boyle Poor Law Union and he also served as a member of Sligo County Council (Chairman in 1940 – 1941). He was elected President of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) in 1927. He was also treasurer of Sligo GAA county board in 1900. It was only natural that this outstanding GAA and political activist would imbue his young impressionable school pupils with ambition and drive
in all things nationalistic. It was said that Hugh kindled in Luke J Duffy “a flame that spread like a prairie fire” Seeing the potential in young Luke J Duffy, Hugh worked tirelessly to impart all the organisational skills with which he himself, was so adept. Luke remained under the guidance of Hugh O’Donnell until he was eighteen years of age. Night classes in various subjects were common in Drumhillock and Cloonanure schools as the young students were busy with farm chores during the day. Second level schools like Gurteen Vocational School did not open until the 1940s. At nearly 19 years of age, Luke left Cloonanure School in 1908. He was immediately accepted into Moon’s, a prestigious drapery store in Galway city, to serve a three-year apprenticeship as drapery assistant with living-in provided at 7 Eglington Street. Charles A. Moon had previously employed Luke’s granduncle, Luke Walsh (from Carrowilkin, Curry) as
Galway branch committee IDAA 1912. Luke Duffy is front row on left hand side. Photo courtesy of Drapers Assistant Mandate Archive 74
