To welcome the new week we have a portrait from the Keogh Collection. This intriguing ecclesiastic capture begs a number of questions all of which I am confident that you will answer! Who was Rev Claffey? Which Church is this? Any idea of the occasion?

And our faith (sorry) in getting some answers was well founded. The general concensus is that this is Dom Camillus Claffey, who was abbot of the Cistercian Mount St Joseph Abbey (near Roscrea) from 1944 to 1962. This gives us a very likely subject, possible location, and at least some pause on the catalogue date range. In a veritible "whos/who and whats/what" of eccelisiastical matters and dress, [/photos/bernardhealy/ Bernard Healy] suggests that this image captures a relatively important occasion or high-mass. Perhaps even the abott's own pontificaliacation, enhattification, inauguration, benediction, or "promotion" into abbot-hood. Maybe taken therefore in 1944. Or taken perhaps just prior (at the monastery), if taken while he was just 'Prior' (of the monastery).

Photographer: Brendan Keogh

Collection: Keogh Photographic Collection

Date: c.1930-1940. Though perhaps sometime later in 1940s...

NLI Ref: Ke 301