A tourism pursuit has developed in the home town of Sam Maguire, Dunmanway in West Cork. The Sam Maguire Trail and passport have been developed for visitors to find out about the life and times of the town’s most famous son where he was born, educated and eventually buried.
Sam Maguire was Protestant by creed but nationalist by conviction. He is known for many things including recruiting Michael Collins to the IRB. He spent much time in London and captained the London Hibernians Gaelic Football Team to several All-Irelands between 1900 and 1904. He later became chairman of the London County Board and a trustee of Croke Park.
The cup given to the All-Ireland senior football champions every year is named in his honour.
Dunmanway was where thirteen Protestants were killed in 1922. These killings happened in the period of truce after the War of Independence. Three of them were shot at their homes on the same night, two of which are buried in the same graveyard as Sam Maguire.
The Sam Maguire Visitor Experience has been important in promoting reconciliation in a town that is still overcoming the effect of tragic events on both sides of the community by giving the community a uniting figure.
For more information go to: www.visitdunmanway.ie.
