Chapter Two – Limerick Leo
copyright 2003© Ri-Press
I had just finished up with the Navy in the United States; I was now at the point of deciding what to do with my life. I also needed to decide what I should study and receive a degree in. I decided first of all that I wanted to return to Co. Tipperary, Ireland, where I am originally from. I knew also I wanted to have something to do with religion, theology, and education – I had always wanted to teach.
Religiously, I came from a very mixed Irish family, and definitely not your normal situation in rural Ireland. It was not only an issue of Catholic and Protestant, but also of Judaism. My mother's father was Jewish. I had been brought up basically "secular" with basics in both Protestant and Catholic theology and a great deal of Jewish studies that I had always did on my own.
However, by the time I started Secondary school, at a Catholic school, I had decided to be confirmed in the Catholic Church. Also because of my Navy experience I was also trying to deal with my sexuality and battling with the issue of me really being "gay." At that time everything seemed to push me into the direction of the priesthood. I decided I would return home to Ireland and become a priest.
There was a seminary near my hometown, growing up I had known many of the priest and students there, so I decided St. Patrick's would be the place to enrol. Now, I had to find a diocese that wanted me and would sponsor me. A Monsignor recommended that I interview with the Bishop of Limerick, and arranged everything for me as soon as I arrived back home.
I thought while I was in Limerick for a few days that I would take the time for a holiday and visit some places I had not been to in years. I chose to spend an extra day and night in Limerick then head down to County Kerry for the rest of my holiday. This turned out to be a good decision as I found out on my last day there that, the Diocese of Limerick accepted me; and I would be attending St. Patrick's in just a few weeks, as by then it was already September. This made the start of my holiday a grand celebration, one I was back home in Ireland, and two, I had been accepted to study for the priesthood.
After having spent a few days in Limerick and even being interviewed by priest who had his own radio show on the then pirate station Radio Luimnigh, I had found out about all the best pubs and places to go for some good craic [a magical grand brilliant time]. So, I had decided on the Granary on Michael Street, a pub and a night club with live music, once the pub closes, at that time pubs closed at 10.30 p.m.
I arrived somewhat early and the pub was mainly empty. I had a few pints then found a table to sit at, alone. After a few more pints and a few hours the pub was now getting busy and filling up around me.
A large group of women, mainly middle-aged, brought several tables together right next to my table; there must have been at least a dozen of them. It was not long before they asked me to join them, since I was sitting along. Irish people will always ask someone who is alone in a pub to join them, it is just polite and the hospitable thing to do.
We were all having a good time and it was long until the National Anthem played and we all stood and sang and then finished our pints as it was now 10.30. The women asked me if I was going next door to the after hours club for the live band and dancing. I said, "Sure thing, I would not miss it"!
We were all having a good time listening to the music and dancing, I could tell that they were trying to hook me up with one of the women, the one who appeared to be the youngest. I knew that was not going to happen -- now I had a reason not to date, &c., I was now going to be a priest. I did not know at that time that would all change later that night.