Obituary of Fr. Patrick Woulfe (1933)

In this obituary, published on May 13, 1933, in the Kerryman newspaper, the life of Father Patrick Woulfe (1872–1933) is remembered.

Late Rev. P. Wolfe.

Regret in Kilmallock at Cappa P.P.’s Death.

The death of Rev. P. Woulfe, P.P., Cappa, evoked deep regret in Kilmallock. As a mark of respect to his memory houses were shuttered and a number of residents attended the obsequies.

Father Woulfe ministered for 22 years in Kilmallock parish. He was an exemplary priest who took the greatest interest in the spiritual welfare of the faithful, which he exercised with the utmost diligence and when ever he found one remiss in attention to religious duties he brought him along by gentle persuasion and inspired a spirit of devotion in him. Father Woulfe was also very solicitous for the temporal well-being of the people, and his advice was always available and willingly given. He encouraged the co-operative movement in the district and was associated with the local show. He supported the candidature of Mr. T. W. W. Bennett, now Chairman of the Senate, in the Parliamentary election for Co. Limerick about 1900;[1] but perhaps what appealed to him most was the movement to revive the Irish language. He was very active in connection with the progress of the Gaelic League, gave a number of lectures, displaying much research, and in other ways did much to inculcate in the people a love for the native tongue. Following the insurrection of 1916 he was one of the committee who organised the Dependents’ Fund in the parish, and afterwards, when the menace of conscription had been defeated[2] he supported the proposal—which was adopted—that the money collected for that purpose, and no longer required—about £400—be sent to Dail Eireann.[3]

On the 28th May, 1920, Father Woulfe administered to Liam Scully, who was fatally wounded in the attack on Kilmallock barrack.[4] He afterwards had to celebrate Mass in the workhouse and to get there had to pass the barrack, which was an ordeal few would care to undertake, having regard to the temper of the police, but Fr. Woulfe did not hesitate; he went and discharged his sacred duty. That evening, possibly coming from a sick call at the workhouse, he passed a lorry of police at the cross at the hotel; as he did so, one of their number descended, joined Fr. Woulfe proceeded down the street with him for some distance, and then returned to the lorry. It was believed the action of the constable—who it appears was a stranger—was due to something he heard taking place among the other occupants, which impelled him to accompany Fr. Woulfe to safety. There was no doubt that from then to the Truce was a very anxious time for Fr. Woulfe, who had to be abroad day or night, as duty called. The Crown forces were regarded as having anything but a friendly feeling for him and many people entertained a sense of apprehension as to what might be the outcome. There was reason to know that Fr. Woulfe was not unaware of this, but he never wavered in attending to his duties.

Possibly the largest meeting ever held in Kilmallock—a Feis which was attended by Thomas Ashe and Count Plunkett—was presided over by Father Woulfe.[5]

Father Woulfe was author of such well known works as “Irish Names and Surnames,” and “Irish Names for Children.”—“Cork Examiner.”

Top of the page: The yard of Saint James Church in Cappagh, 2019 (Brendan Wolfe)

[1] Thomas William Westropp Bennett (1867–1962)

[2] An April 1918 policy to conscript Irishmen into the British army to fight in France during World War I was fiercely opposed by Irish nationalists, Catholic clergy, and labor unions and never enforced.

[3] Dáil Éireann was established in 1919 as a single-chamber parliament for the Irish Republic; the 1922 Anglo-Irish Treaty made it the lower chamber of a bicameral legislature.

[4] The attack by members of the Irish Republican Army on the barracks of the Royal Irish Constabulary killed several policemen

[5] The feis, or festival, was held on June 18, 1914. Thomas Ashe (1885–1917) was a founding member of the Irish Volunteers, a nationalist paramilitary organization. Count George Noble Plunkett (1851–1948) was an Irish nationalist whose son Joseph was executed after the Easter Rising of 1916.