Home

But true hearts will treasure the name of him, [2]
And God’s self will measure the fame of him,
When Old Ireland will never hear shame of him,
On the day of all days.

Apostle prized from Patrick’s land
From Domnick’s order sprung,
He came – our father’s guide and chief
When this free land was young.

He came top bear their faith afield
To shed its light around,
That hope and love of Patrick’s God
In Gaelic hearts abound.

Nor power nor wealth until his death
Did Father Fahy win,
But humble mien and simple faith
And duty daily done.

Down to the last grim sacrifice
When Plague shut out the sky,
He laid his life – as Dom’nick’s son
Knew how to dare and die.

Our pride it is he took his stand
On Obligado’s [3] day
To head our Father for the land!
(¡Viva Rosas! ¡Viva Rosas!) [4]
With Fr. Fahy say.

His heart was large his means were small
To do a giant’s toil,
He dug the garden, built the wall
And tilled the prairies soil.

He gave us name and nation here
And made this home our own,
We love him, sing him, keep his tryst
To reap the seed he’s sown.

Conor Mac Nessa [5]

Fr. Fahy With His Tall Hat (c.1860s)
(Sinsinawa Dominican Archives, Wisconsin, USA, Cloran/Fahy Papers, DS8000, Box No.4A, F15)

P. Fahy street in Capilla del Señor.

   In any field of endeavour few reach the greatest heights of achievement. Fewer still transcend even that fame to touch the renown possessed by Canon Anthony Fahy O.P. Between 1850 and the 1870’s everybody in Buenos Aires knew who he was. He had ease of access to bishops, presidents, politicians, newspaper proprietors and editors, bankers, ship owners, merchants and farmers. And if he had the entreé to the great of society, then Irish immigrants and the many not so greats of society had access to their chaplain. He was famous, but totally unaffected by fame. Both catholic and non-catholic alike respected his integrity, honesty and total lack of humbug. Direct of speech, almost gruff when he enquired of all who came to see him “who are you and what do you want”, he was not much given to idle chit chat or gossip. He was a man of God, ever practical and always assiduous in caring for his far flung flock. And they in turn loved and revered the humble friar who was everybody’s priest – Irish and Argentine alike. Today he is still remembered in Argentina, two hundred years after his birth on 11 January 1805, by the Instituto Fahy, Moreno, which bears his name and a street in the Federal Capital named in his honour.

   His extrodinary work and shining priestly zeal had not gone unnoticed and in recognition of his long service to the Irish Community he was named an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral of Buenos Aires by President Bartolomé Mitre. A totally unique honour for a foreigner and Dominican friar. 

   Anthony Fahy wrote no poetry, and this somewhat forgotten item (written by Conor Mac Nessa, alias Patrick McManus, [6]) may not be the greatest of verse, but it does highlight the virtues of a very remarkable priest who is an emblematic figure of Irish emigration and settlement in Argentina. 

   There are many myths and legends concerning Anthony Fahy and as a Hollywood scriptwriter wrote “when the truth becomes legend print the legend.” But what are the facts about Fahy’s death as this is a fascinating example of how historical myth is fabricated. Anthony Fahy died of heart attack on 20 February 1871, and the newspapers reported that he died of yellow fever owing to his attending a sick Italian woman. This was widely reported as fact and most people accepted that he died of yellow fever. But the death certificate signed by two doctors, unequivocally states that “...he died from heart disease." [7] This writer had often heard and read that Anthony Fahy always wore a top hat, but never saw any evidence until finding one such photograph. [8]

By Edward Walsh*

Please contact us if you have a question or wish to suggest changes