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Canon Edward Joseph Hannan
See below the interesting summary in the Irish Voice 5th Oct 2021, written by Branch Member Brian Duffy
Brian Duffy
AS WE cautiously emerge from lockdown and communities begin to reconnect with each other, two football communitiesāone in Edinburgh, the other in Ballingarry, Limerickāare also reconnecting to pursue the common goal of commemorating an iconic figure who is revered by many on both sides of the Irish Sea.
That figure is Canon Edward Joseph Hannan (above), who was born in Ballingarry on June 21, 1836 and ordained a priest in 1860. He, along with Roscommon-born Michael Whelehan, founded Hibernian Football Club under the auspices of the St Patrickās Parish Catholic Young Menās Society (CYMS) on the August 6, 1875.
St Patricksā Church in Edinburghās Cowgate was at the epicentre of an area of the city which had become known as āLittle Ireland,ā due to it being the destination point for the waves of refugees from the Great Hunger in Ireland and its aftermath, who flooded into the capital. It was an immigrant community that was disadvantaged and disenfranchised, confined to the poorest housing and which faced resentment and hostility from many of the indigenous Scots who feared that these newcomers would undercut them for scarce jobs. It was a hostility also fuelled in part by bigotry and a fear of the immigrantsā Catholicism, a religion that had been largely driven from Scotland after the Reformation and a religion that many Scots feared returning.
It was into this atmosphere of poverty and prejudice that Edward Joseph Hannan arrived in 1861 to assume the role as a junior curate at St Patrickās, becoming parish priest a decade later. He quickly recognised the lack of opportunities for advancement available to his parishioners in what was often a hostile environment and how this could lead themāparticularly the male youth of the parishāinto a life of drink or crime.
Determined to channel their energies in a positive direction, he established the Catholic Young Menās Society in 1865, which provided a variety of activities for the youth of the parish. It was under the umbrella of the CYMS that Hibernian Football club was formed in 1875 as the latest in a line of social and sporting initiatives to occupy those young men of āLittle Ireland.ā That outreach wasnāt confined to sport as, from the outset, Hibernian was imbued with a charitable ethos with assistance being dispensed to those in need regardless of their heritage or faith. Little could Canon Hannan or his community have imagined that this parish football team would evolve into a professional football club with such a distinguished 146-year history.
Today, Hibernian is a football club for all the people of Edinburgh and beyond, a club welcoming to and followed by people of all and no religions. However, Canon Hannanās legacy remains and was commemorated in 1991 at a memorial Mass in St Patrickās to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his death. It was attended by club officials, current and former players and hundreds of fans. In 2006, the Hibernian Historical Trust renovated his grave in Edinburghās Grange cemetery and a rededication ceremony was held involving, among others. the then St Patrickās parish priest.
Named after Hibernianās birthplace, the St Patricksā Branch of the Hibernian Supporters Association was founded in 2010. In common with the rest of the Hibernian community its members come from all backgrounds and beliefs, with those drawn to it sharing a pride in their clubsā history and the charitable ethos which underpinned its formation.
That pride manifests itself in a commitment to support local and national charities and to commemorate the clubās heritage through a series of historical projects. These have included the installation of a plaque to honour Canon Hannan in St Patrickās Church, which was unveiled on March 17, 2013 and the renovation and rededication of 1902 Scottish Cup Final winning team trainer Dan McMichaelās grave in the Eastern Cemetery, which lies in the shadows of the clubās Easter Road stadium.
From 1875 until the mid-20th century the emblem which the club used to represent itself to the world was the Harp. Until the mid-1950s a mosaic Harp crest was proudly affixed to the exterior stadium wall. Its removal due to stadium renovation and the crests which replaced it resulted in decades of debate and disagreement. This was compounded by the statistic that the club had never repeated the aforementioned 1902 Scottish Cup success, with Hibernian folklore replete with tales of a gypsy curse which said that until the Harp was restored the Cup would never return to the āHoly Ground.ā In 2000, a new club crest was created that incorporated the Harp alongside symbols which reference the clubās Edinburgh and specific Leith connections.
Fifteen years later and with the cup hoodoo still unbroken, the St Patrickās branch had held discussions on how to commemorate the clubās upcoming 140th anniversary. Members were aware that a branch member had made an exact replica of the mosaic Harp that had once adorned the stadium wall and was willing to gift it to Hibernian FC. Discussions with the club ensued, culminating in the Harp mosaic being formally presented to then club owner Sir Tom Farmer at a formal ceremony in the Hibernian Supporters Association clubrooms. In a particularly Hibernian twist of fate Sir Tomās grandfather and great uncle had been custodians of the club at the time of the 1902 cup victory.
Hibernian entered the 2015/16 Scottish Cup Final campaign with a replica of the mosaic Harp crest back in situ within the stadium and two new wall mounted current crests, including the Harp, on either side of the clubās West Stand entrance. What happened on that historic day of May 21, 2016 deserves an article of its own, but suffice to say that the hoodoo was broken and Hibernian won the Scottish Cup for the first time in 114 years. Whether co-incidence or divine intervention, any curse that existed had been broken in another one of those twists of fate that have permeated Hibernianās proud history.
When it came to the St Patrickās branch deciding on their first significant post Scottish Cup Final historical project, there was a consensus that a permanent memorial to the clubās founder Canon Hannan in his home village of Ballingarry was something that was long overdue. While the branch was discussing what form this memorial should take it became apparent that Hibernian FC did not intend to place the mosaic Harp on permanent display, as had been envisaged when gifted. Believing that this important piece of Hibernian iconography deserved to be permanently on show, the thought emerged that Ballingarry would be a fitting location for its permanent installation.
Initial contact was made with local football club, Ballingarry AFC, who were very aware of the Hibernian connection and were hugely receptive to the idea of a permanent memorial being erected at their football ground in the Canonās home village. The St Patrickās branch also entered into friendly discussions with the Hibernian FC Board regarding the project and the possibility that the mosaic Harp could be re-gifted to the people of Ballingarry. With Hibernianās willing agreement channels of communication were opened between Edinburgh and Limerick to scope out the logistics and the practicalities of undertaking this project.
With planning having reached an advanced level, a deputation from the St Patrickās branch committeeāled by Chairperson Dougie McLeodāmade the pilgrimage to Limerick in January 2020 to meet their Ballingarry AFC counterparts including the now sadly departed James Clancy. Their hosts provided a conducted tour of sites of local importance including what is understood to be the Canonās birthplace, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church and the Knockfeerina Famine memorial site. The visitors were also treated to a weekend of traditional Limerick hospitality with firm friendships being established and a provisional date of September 2021 being set for the Harpās installation. Little could those present have envisaged the global pandemic that was to engulf the world shortly thereafter.
While that pandemic has put a hold on the preparatory work that was to be carried out to prepare the site in Ballingarry AFCās āThe Paddocksā ground for the Harpās installation, those in the Canonās home village and adopted city continue to plan for its return and for the commemoration event which will accompany it. With both parties working towards a re-scheduled September 2022 installation date there is a certain symmetry to the fact that itās a worldwide 21st century disaster which is delaying the memorial to Hibernianās founder, a club that he founded as the direct result of a 19th century disaster.
In the Beginning
On Friday 6th August 1875 at a meeting held in āThe Catholic Instituteā in St. Maryās Street, Edinburgh (Now St. Maryās Street Halls), Hibernian Football Club was founded by Canon Edward Joseph Hannan and Michael Whelehan.Canon Hannan was born on 21st June 1836 in Ballingarry, Co. Limerick and he arrived in Edinburgh in August 1861 to take up position at St. Patrickās Church.
The Cowgate area where the Church was situated had become known locally as “Little Ireland” due to the large number of Irish immigrants living in the area. His Uncle was Monsignor Richard B. OāBrien, who founded the Catholic Young Menās Society (CYMS) in Ireland in 1849.
Canon Hannan followed this tradition by forming the same Society at St. Josephās Hall, Horse Wynd, Edinburgh on 5thOctober 1865.
Michael Whelehan was born in Kilglass, Co. Rosscommon in 1854 and came to Edinburgh as a 4 year old, where he joined St. Patrickās Parish and in later years joined the CYMS. Along with other friends, he took to playing and watching football at the Meadows, but was rejected from playing with clubs due to the fact that he was an Irish Catholic. At this time there was a much anti Irish feeling in Edinburgh.
At the foundation of Hibernian, Canon Hannan was elected Life President and Michael Whelehan was made Captain.
Membership was exclusively for members of the CYMS and meetings were held in the Catholic Institute (A copy of the CYMS Minutes Book will be added here shortly). Failure to attend Mass meant exclusion from playing. The Club was set up as a charitable institution and over the years carried out some wonderful work for the poor people of all denominations.
Football was played in the Meadows and when the Club applied to join the Edinburgh Football Association, the Club were informed that they must first apply to Scottish Football Association, who in turn informed the Club that they only catered for Scotsmen and that Irish were not permitted. In 1876, Hibernian Football Club were finally admitted to the Edinburgh FA and after playing at numerous venues, land was acquired for the first Hibernian Park, which was situated where Bothwell Street now stands.
For the opening of the new ground, the Club acquired turf from Magherclogher, West Donegal, Ireland. It was from this area that many residents of āLittle Irelandā had hailed from, hence our little piece of Ireland came to us.
After winning numerous Cups and enjoying much success, Hibernian won the Scottish Cup in 1887 and this victory gave Brother Walfrid the idea to form Celtic Football Club based in Glasgow. Unfortunately, John Glass became involved in the running of the new Club with two ideas; to make money and for the demise of Hibernian Football Club.
The Club lost many players to professionalism at this time since the Club was still amateur and funding went to help with the poor.
Canon Hannan sadly passed away on 24th June 1891, (his brother Father Joseph was at his bedside) and he was buried at the Grange Cemetery on Friday 26th, leaving behind more troubles for his beloved Hibernian. But that is another story!!
Written by Gordon McCabe
Canon Edward Joseph Hannan:
Father Edward Joseph Hannan, co-founder of Hibernian Football Club, was born in 1836 in the village of Ballingarry, Co. Limerick. In September 1855, the 19 year old Edward went to the college of All Hallows, Drumcondra.
After 5 more years study, Edward was ordained Priest on 13th May 1860. Father Hannan’s studies continued and as he had such a brilliant mind, especially as an educationalist, he was appointed Professor of Classics.
Taking a break from his studies, Father Hannan came to Scotland for a short holiday and by chance met Bishop Gillis who administered the Eastern District of Scotland. The Bishop instantly recognised Father Hannan’s outstanding qualities and asked him to become affiliated to Edinburgh when his studies were complete.
Bishop Gillis outlined the immense problems of his flock in Little Ireland and Father Hannan immediately and without any reservations agreed to serve in Edinburgh; his life and destiny were sealed.
How Bishop Gillis saw Father Hannan, the brilliant, sensitive professor, as the answer to Little Ireland’s problems, God alone knows. Likewise, why Father Hannan so readily agreed to work in such surroundings, for which he appeared to be so ill equipped, is also a mystery.
Father Hannan arrived in Edinburgh on 17th August 1861, 25 years old. He stayed at St. Mary’s, Broughton Street, for a six-week familiarisation period, during which time he was taken by Father William Smith on tours of Little Ireland.
Father Hannan was disturbed by the obvious separation that existed in Edinburgh, between the Irish exiles and most of rest of the Scottish population.
He was convinced that, after spiritual needs, the only road to acceptance into mainstream Edinburgh life was through education and the acquisition of social skills.
In October 1861, Father Hannan was officially appointed to St. Patrick’s, and the Professor of Classics started at the very bottom of the ladder as a junior curate, the beginning of a long association with the exiles of Little Ireland.
Recognising that it was young men who were most susceptible to being led astray by the vices that were prevalent in Little Ireland, he decided to tackle the problem by opening a branch of the Catholic Young Men’s Society.
It was Father Hannan’s uncle, the Right Reverend Monsignor Richard B O’Brien DD VG, Dean of Limerick, who had founded the Catholic Young Men’s Society in Ireland in 1849.
The aim of the CYMS was to uplift young men, and the means used were prayer, religious practice, education and social activities. Premises had to be acquired to establish libraries, lectures, reading rooms and recreational activities.
All party politics were forbidden at member’s meetings. The CYMS flourished in Ireland and spread to England and Wales, and in Scotland there were already branches in Dumbarton and Dundee.
Father Hannan worked hard among his parishioners to establish a St. Patrick’s Branch of the CYMS and the idea was well received. Soon he was able to invite his uncle, Dean O’Brien, over to Edinburgh to officially open the St. Patrick’s branch.
Canon Hannan died on the 24th June 1891, at the age of 55, after being stricken with pneumonia following a severe bout of influenza. This took place on Sunday 5th October 1865 in the CYMS rooms in St. Joseph’s Hall in Horse Wynd off the Cowgate.
His funeral took place on Friday, 26th June 1891 and after the Requiem Mass, the coffin was carried by members of St. Patrick’s CYMS to the hearse on the High Street, which then proceeded to the Grange Cemetery in a procession which numbered 2,000 with many thousands more lining the route.
Michael Whelahan:
Michael Whelahan (The 1st Captain of Hibernian) 1876In terms of the founding of Hibernian Football Club, Father Hannan was one half of the partnership that was to bring this about. The second half, was one Michael Whelahan, aged twentyāone years old and who, like most young men in Little Ireland at that time, was a member of St. Patrick’s CYMS.
Michael Whelahan was born in Kilglass, Co. Rosscommon, Ireland, in 1854. The Whelahan family was typical among those living in the Western province of Connaught at that time. They scratched a meager existence from the soil. The great famine had traumatic effects on peasant families like the Whelahans, as their communities were decimated and their folk customs, pastimes and Gaelic language lapsed with the increased need to speak English.
Like over a million others in their position, the only option for the Whelahan family was to emigrate, or rather be exiled, as they had no wish to leave Ireland. They made their way to Edinburgh where a relative was already living. They put together enough pennies for the ferry to Glasgow but had to walk from there to Edinburgh.
In the spring of 1875, Michael Whelahan and two of his friends from St. Patrick s CYMS were watching the increasingly popular game of football being played on Edinburgh’s Meadows.
Michael’s friends, Malachy Byrne and Andy Hughes, had already played a couple of games for a street team called White Star but this did not last long when it was discovered they were Irish Catholics. It was as Michael Whelahan watched the exciting football scene before him that he resolved that the CYMS should have their own football club instead of standing on the sidelines as was they usually did.
Father Hannan held the key of course, as he had to endorse all their activities, ensuring that they were appropriate. Michael decided to speak to the popular priest.
Father Hannan listened to Michael Whelahan’s idea with great interest, as sporting recreation had always been a cornerstone of his vision of developing fully rounded and worthy citizens from Little Ireland. He was well aware of the popularity of football and promised Michael that he would enquire about it’s organisation both locally and nationally.
Father Hannan’s inquiries were favourable, and so it was decided that he and Michael would put forward the proposal to form a football club at the next full meeting of the CYMS in St. Mary’s Street Halls, to see if it was carried democratically.
The meeting voted unanimously in favour of the proposal with such infectious enthusiasm that Father Hannan agreed to assist Michael Whelahan in making all the necessary arrangements for the football club to become a reality.
The next thing to consider, was the football club’s colours, crest, motto and of course name.
For Irish nationalists, the first three were easy. The colours would be green, the crest would be the Harp and the motto the Gaelic Erin Go Bragh (Ireland for Ever).
Giving St. Patrick’s CYMS football club a name, however, proved much more difficult, and protracted discussions were entered into. Father Hannan proposed the obvious name, the Catholic Young Men’s Society Football Club, and although appropriate, it was generally agreed it was just too longāwinded.
St. Patrick’s F.C. was thought to be disrespectful to Ireland’s patron saint, and other suggestions that were rejected included Harp, Shamrock, Emerald and Celtic. The Club was almost named Young Ireland, but Michael Whelahan asked for more time to think about it, since his enthusiasm for the football club dictated that it should have a very special name.
Michael went to St. Patrick’s Church to pray for inspiration and it was there he remembered that the fiercely Catholic Ancient Order of Hibernian’s secret society had been absorbed into the CYMS many years before.
Hibernian was the old Roman Latin word for Irishman. There and then, the Hibernian Football Club was born, the Edinburgh Irishmen.
St. Patrickās Hibernian Supporters Branch
On Saturday 1st May 2010, St. Patrickās Hibernian Supporters’ Branch was founded, with the aim of keeping the historic name of St. Patrickās, the founders and original home of Hibernian Football Club, as the Supporters’ voice and link to the Club.
St. Patrick’s Branch became officially affiliated to the Hibernian Supporters’ Club on 2nd September 2010.
Original Players and Staff
A list of Hibernians original players can be found on the link below. Interestingly all these players addresses are within a very small area as shown on the below map.
Notes
There is a strange theory about our beginnings held by people whom propose themselves to be āhistoriansā of the club. The theory is that Hibernian were not founded by Canon Hannan and that our name was derived from the āHibernian Barā which was located in the Cowgate. This pub in fact, did not open until many years later!
Thanks to Gordon McCabe, Brian Cunnison and to everyone else who has provided articles for this section.
The “Canon Hannan & M. Whelahan” piece was adapted from Alan Lugton’s 1st book in the Trilogy – The Making of Hibernian.