‘Sam Maguire’ has a Perpetual Home in Cork

As we look forward to tomorrow’s All-Ireland Football final between Mayo and Dublin we wonder who will lift high The Sam Maguire Cup. It’s worth remembering that Sam Maguire himself was a Cork man. This is the 90th anniversary year of Sam’s death, and the cup that bears his name was being feted in Dunmanway, County Cork last Saturday, 9th September for a very special tribute to the man himself within the community where he was born, went to school, went to church, and came home to die.

You can read all about that special event – a community bells project of hope and reconciliation – HERE.

Here are the photos taken by photographer Andy Gibson last Saturday in Dunmanway at that historic occasion:

: Visiting the Sam Maguire Community Bells ringing room in St. Mary’s Church, Dunmanway on Saturday 9th September for the service of thanksgiving and first official ring of the bells were (Back row l-r) Ger Lane and Tracey Kennedy (GAA, Cork County Board), Aogán O’Fearghail (GAA President) and the Rev. Cliff Jeffers. (Front row l-r) Fr. Ted Collins (PP Dunmanway), Bishop Paul Colton, Cllr. Declan Hurley (Cork County Mayor) and Bishop John Buckley. Photo: Andy Gibson.

: St Mary’s Church, Dunmanway where the Service of Thanksgiving took place. Photo: Andy Gibson

: Bellringers practice on a portable set of bells. Photo: Andy Gibson

: Bellringers practice on a portable set of bells. Photo: Andy Gibson

: Pictured unveiling the plaque to commemorate the first time ringing of The Sam Maguire Community Bells are Cllr. Declan Hurley, Cork County Mayor and Aogán O’Fearghail, GAA President watched by Dr Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr John Buckley, Bishop of Cork and Ross and the Rev Cliff Jeffers. Photo: Andy Gibson.

: The plaque which was unveiled

: Pictured outside the church are the Ven. Adrian Wilkinson, Archdeacon of Cork, the Most Rev. Dr John Buckley, Bishop of Cork and Ross; Cllr. Declan Hurley, Cork County Mayor; the Rev Cliff Jeffers; Aogán O’Fearghail, GAA President and the Right Reverend Dr. Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. Photo: Andy Gibson.

: The Priorities Fund of the Church of Ireland made a large donation to the project. Pictured holding a plaque to recognise the fund’s assistance are the Ven. Adrian Wilkinson, the Rev. Cliff Jeffers and Dr. Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Photo: Andy Gibson.

: Piper Michael Milner from Dunmanway played a lament at the graveside of Sam Maguire with invited guests looking on. Photo: Andy Gibson.

: A lament was played. Photo: Andy Gibson

: Aogán O’Fearghail, GAA President, delivered an oration at the graveside of Sam Maguire. Photo: Andy Gibson.

: A large crowd listened attentively to the speeches. Photo: Andy Gibson.

: The Very Reverend Ted Collins, P.P. concluded with a prayer. Photo: Andy Gibson

: 94 year old John O’Leary addressed the gathering. Photo: Andy Gibson

: Father and son pipers Jerry and Michael Milner from Dunmanway played at Sam Maguire’s graveside. Photo: Andy Gibson.

: Aogán O’Fearghail, GAA President, laid a wreath on the grave of Sam Maguire. This is the 90th year since Maguire died. Photo: Andy Gibson.

: A wreath is laid on the grave of Sam Maguire. Photo: Andy Gibson

: The Reverend Cliff Jeffers . Photo: Andy Gibson

: Pictured holding the Sam Maguire Cup are Dr Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross; the Rev Cliff Jeffers; Aogán O’Fearghail, GAA President; Cllr. Declan Hurley, Cork County Mayor; Dr John Buckley, Bishop of Cork and Ross and 94 year old John O’Leary, Clonakilty. Photo: Andy Gibson.

: With the Sam Maguire Cup are invited guests including the Chairman and members of the Cork County Board of the GAA. Photo: Andy Gibson

: Pictured holding the Sam Maguire Cup are the Rev. Cliff Jeffers; Cllr Declan Hurley, Cork County Mayor; Jo O’Donovan, Timoleague and George Maguire, Dunmanway – a direct descendant of Sam Maguire. Photo: Andy Gibson.

: Cllr Declan Hurley, Cork County with descendants of Sam Maguire and the Cup: Jo O’Donovan and George Maguire. Photo: Andy Gibson

: With the Sam Maguire Cup the Reverend Greg and Mrs Alexander, of the Methodist Church. Photo: Andy Gibson

: Pictured with the Sam Maguire Cup are Lay Reader Sam Jennings, the Rev. Cliff Jeffers and members of the Sam Maguire Community Bells Ringing Band. Photo: Andy Gibson.