An eye for an eye.

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Tower Hill**

fighters.jpg (49890 bytes)It is said that small communities the world over are close knit, though often divided by work or physical boundaries into mildly hostile factions. The Howth community in the past perhaps was no different and was divided into two main categories - the fishing folk from the town and the farming folk from the hills. Their ways of life were worlds apart and one would not usually be seen drinking with the other. After a hard days work in the fields from early morning to late at night, or on the sea for twelve hours or more, the few spare hours given a man was spent in the pub analysing every aspect of the day in the greatest of detail. Being part of your community was vital for survival and traditions were sacred. Both the communities were also divided by the tram they took home. The Dublin United Tram served the Harbour and Village of Howth and mainly the fishermen, whereas the Great Northern served those who lived up the hill itself.

They say that the hill folk and the seafarers sometimes could not see eye to eye. They were divided by occupation, marriage and tradition. Many family quarrels would be handed down through each generation in the past, and if a fisherman hit a man from the hills both communities were up in arms and insults flew and blood pressure rose.

To release the build-up of tension the feuding groups would often finally meet and fight it out in a boisterous and sometimes jovial manner. Usually on a Saturday evening the belligerents would meet at Tower Hill, above the village at Balscadden in the shadow of the Martello Tower.

After curses and threats, strutting and circle walking, the warring parties would set-to, to the loud cheers of encouragement of the onlookers. Often the excitement and tensions would spill over, and both communities would tear into each other en masse. The immortal words of Percy French, “Many a head was broken, aye, and many an eye was shut,” would aptly describe the carnage after the fray. Limping bodies departed, still hurtling abuse at the enemy.

One such fight is still remembered. Jem Vaughen, known to his friends as ‘Walkham’, was considered one of the strongest men in Howth. The victor from every bout, he was the reigning champion for many years. Black Corr was also much revered.

Walkham once picked on a smaller man, James O’Brien from Hut Lane. James’ brother, Paddy, known as ‘Dillon’, who worked in Kilrock quarries was over six-foot tall but of slimmer build than the stocky fisherman. Paddy was known to be a quiet man, but beating up his brother was a sure way to get his attention.

One summer evening, both men confronted each other on the “fighting green” beneath Tower Hill. Walkham fired the usual barrage of abuse to break down his opponent. Paddy O’Brien said nothing, but cautiously circled Walkham, holding him in an unflinching stare.

At last one sprang and the crowd gathered round. The men appeared evenly matched at first, but Paddy had the greater stamina. No blow was spared and the viciousness of the contest reduced the crowd to silence.

As darkness fell, one man rose but the other remained still. It was Paddy who walked away, and poor Walkham lay terribly injured having lost an eye in the fight.

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