Life & Times of Nicholas Furlong

Nicholas Furlong has immortalised and made world-famous the people, the culture, and the history of Wexford and has provided education and entertainment through his newspaper columns, books, stage plays, television and radio broadcasts to generations of people young and old.  Here is a selection of photographs from his life and times. 
 

Banville and Furlong

• John Banville, seated, Wexford-born Man Booker Prize Winner 2005, whose rude health and mental agility were stimulated in youth by fresh milk from Furlong’s Mulgannon dairy, with fellow author Nicholas Furlong. 

Back Stage Party

• Backstage party at Abbey Theatre production of ‘Tarry Flynn’ in Dun Mhuire, Wexford Festival Opera 1967. Writer and Scottish nationalist, Sir Compton Mackenzie, Nicholas Furlong, Mayor of Wexford Kevin Morris and Lady Mackenzie, a native Gaelic speaker.
 

Three on Bench

• Nicholas Furlong, the author and David Bowen on right examine the cranial capacity of cameraman, Shay Doyle.
 

Cornelius Grogan - Rebel Leader

• Nicholas Furlong unveils monument to Cornelius Grogan rebel leader of the 1798 rebellion outside Rathaspeck church, where Grogan was verger, on 1798 Commemoration Day, Piercestown Wexford, July 1998. With Fr James Butler, Fr Liam Jordan, Kevin Waters N.T., Patrick Sills, and Canon Norman Ruddock.

 

The Lunatic Fringe, Press Conference, Whites Hotel 

• Playwright Nicholas Furlong was under siege during the Wexford Opera Festival 1966, when his play The Lunatic Fringe roused the Franciscan Fathers, created international publicty and packed houses.  

Irish Augustinian College, Rome

• At the reception in the Irish Augustinian College, Rome, following the installation of Cardinal Tomás Ó Fíaich in his titular church, San Patrizio, Nicholas Furlong, Monsignor Francis MacLarnon, P.P., V.G. Armagh,  Furlong's former teacher Cardinal Tomás Ó Fíaich and Cardinal Basil Hume, Archbishop of Westminster.  25th November, 1979.

Joe Doran Crest

• Nicholas Furlong explains the significance of the crest on Ross historian Joe Doran at Tullow, Co. Carlow on Fr. John Murphy Day in July 1998.

 

St Martins, Piercestown

Nicky Furlong, Church organist, St Martins, Piercestown, Wexford 1979 - 1995 (below right)

Salesian Agricultural College, Co Meath

Nicholas Furlong, Salesian Agricultural College, Warrenstown, Co Meath, Organist 1947 - 1948 (below left)

Minister Launches A History of Wexford

• Minister of European Affairs Dick Roche on right launches Nicholas Furlong's book, A History of County Wexford at the Book Centre, Wexford town.  In centre is the minister's mother Breda Roche of Wexford.

 

On Radio Broadcast

• Donncha Ó Dulaing, (on right) presenter of the RTE national radio programme 'Donncha's Sunday' interviews Nicholas Furlong for a broadcast on the biography of 1798 Rebellion leader Fr. John Murphy of Boolavogue. 

 

With Russian Ambassador at Wexford Festival Opera

• The Russian Ambassador to Ireland, Ezguemi Mikhailoz and his interpreter, the honorary secretary of the Russia-Ireland Society, with on right Nicholas Furlong, Wexford Festival Opera Council, on Gala Night, October 15th, 1998.

 

Furlong and Toibín

• County Wexford authors Nicholas Furlong right and Colm Toibin of Enniscorthy whose books Blackwater Lightship and The Master were later shortlisted for the prestigious and world renowned Man Booker prize in 1999 and 2004 respectively, are pictured wandering and pondering on a Wexford shore in 1993. 

 

With Gay Byrne, RTE and Bobby Howick, Guinness

• Nicholas Furlong, Press Officer of the Wexford Festival Opera (1969 to 1982), with Gay Byrne, presenter of the RTÉ television Late Late Show and Bobby Howick of Guinness Ireland during the Wexford Festival Opera Launch at Guinness, St. James Gate, Dublin.

Furlong and Keenan

Nicky Furlong with Brian Keenan in New Ross during the BBC's filming of the 1798 Insurrection, Summer 1997

Vinegar Hill Battle Site

Presentation Night

Festschrift presentation night, Ferry carrig Hotel, 22 November 2007.