Who was Canon Maguire?

The Derrygonnelly Harps GFC club grounds is named after Canon T Maguire.

Fr Maguire, who was later promoted to 'Canon', was born in 1873 in Rossinure, in the midst of Knockmore, Boho.

He spent many years in the townland of Farnaconnell in Boho where he was reared by his aunts, uncles and grandfathers.

Fr Maguire was sent to St Macartan's Seminary in Monaghan to become a priest, like his uncle who was ministering in Iniskeen.

Following this, he spent five years on a scholarship at the Irish College in Parish.

On his return to Ireland, he spent many years teaching in St Macartan's, before his ordination at Maynooth in 1900.

After his ordination, he returned to Fermanagh. 

He spent two years in Brookeborough as a curate, before moving to Garrison, and later ministering in Magheracloone in Monaghan.

In 1920, he become the parish priest in Aghabog, Monaghan. 

He was there for 16 years and made a sizeable impact on the local community, rebuilding the church, building a new school and developing three existing ones in the parish. He also helped form a Gaelic football team, a camogie team and he promoted the Irish language.

During that time, Fr Maguire forged a close relationship with Michael Collins. 

From 1920 to Collins's death in 1922, Fr Maguire offered advice to the Cork man during his fight to free Ireland from British Rule.

After the death of Collins, Canon Maguire became a supporter of Fianna Fail, under the leadership of Eamon De Valera. 

He was a close friend and confident of Taoiseach, Sean Lemass.

In 1936, he returned to Fermanagh, becoming the parish priest of Newtownbutler.

In 1962, aged 90, Canon Maguire, pictured below, returned to Derrygonnelly and officially opened the recently developed club facility.

Canon Maguire passed away in 1968 leaving a lasting legacy at Derrygonnelly Harps GFC.