The Gavan Duffy Park

Why would an athletic field and sports complex be named in honour of Charles Gavan Duffy? That name may not be a household word for an American, but in Ireland, this name has instant recognition, and since Monaghan Town is his birthplace, he is honoured as the town’s most famous son. In 1848, he took part in an uprising against the English, suffered several arrests, then started a newspaper that championed the cause of the common people. He became an MP, founded the Tenant League and the Nationalist Party. Revolutionaries are universally honoured by their countrymen. Here in Ireland, Mr. Duffy is no exception.

And would he be pleased to see his name emblazoned over the entry to the Monaghan Harps Athletic Club? He would, indeed, be proud of the efforts of community-spirited businessmen, parents, and football enthusiasts, proud of their achievement that reaches deeply into the lives of so many in this small town of only 6,000 people.

He would most likely be impressed that 17 acres of prime real estate could be purchased in the heart of town, that two fields (pitches, as the Irish call them) could be built along with full size squash and handball courts and the necessary changing rooms at a cost of a mere €1.4 million, almost all from private fund raising.

That its present valuation would exceed €7 million would not be meaningless to the man who immigrated to Australia, became involved in politics there, was named Speaker of Victoria in 1871, and made Speaker of the Australian Assembly in 1877. But what would probably be most meaningful to this man of humble Irish birth would be the symbol chosen for the fifteen Monaghan GAA club teams , football and hurling, who make their home at Gavan Duffy Park. On their jerseys they wear the oldest official symbol of Ireland—the Celtic harp—the small instrument carried by the minstrels of a bygone era as they wandered the countryside telling stories of legendary exploits in song and ballad.

On Sunday, July 15^th, 2007, the Monaghan County Senior Gaelic Football Team plays Tyrone for the Ulster Province Championship, the first time Monaghan has reached that pinnacle in 19 years. The victory will become the source of legend, a “ballad” to be sung over and over in pubs across the land and especially in the one at Gavan Duffy Park.

How to get there:

From Dublin, take N2; from Belfast, N3 to Monaghan Town. Follow signs to Hillgrove Hotel. Pitch can be seen from the dining room and accessed through the back car park, directions easy to obtain at front desk.

Opening Times:

See local paper, The Northern Standard, published every Thursday for schedules of events and times.

Fees/costs of admission:

Junior games, girls and boys (10-18 years) €3

Senior games, girls and boys €5

Address:

Girls’ games call Paula: T 086 841 5989

Boys’ games call Kieran: T 086 6020291

Written by Joy Davis - Summer of Travel 2007