Dog gone – An Irishman’s Diary on Jack, King Edward’s Irish chum

With royal visits to Ireland once more becoming fashionable, it is perhaps timely to recall a previous visit by Edward VII in 1903. This is best remembered for sparking protests by militant nationalists, including the “Battle of Coulson Avenue”, when the Dublin Metropolitan Police tried unsuccessfully to remove a black flag Maud Gonne had improvised from a black petticoat and hung from her upstairs window, ostensibly in mourning for the death of Pope Leo XIII. Helena Molony dates her involvement with Inghinidhe na hÉireann and radical politics from that day, but it is not the only death associated with the royal visit.

Of more immediate impact, on King Edward at least, as The Irish Times informed readers, was the death of Jack, an Irish terrier who accompanied him and died at the Vice Regal Lodge within 12 hours of returning to his native land. Jack's death, on July 21st, 1903, does not appear to have been caused by Inghinidhe na hÉireann protests, many of whose members were dog lovers or other militant nationalists such as Arthur Griffith or James Connolly engaged in similar activities; indeed, the cause is unknown, but Jack's master was so distressed that he had a memorial erected over the terrier's grave.

The Irish Times report said, "Jack was a fine specimen of our native terrier. His sire Culprit was by Champion Breda Muddler, the late Mr Graham's famous winner, ex champion Blue Gown, and his dam was Red Cicely by Checkmate, ex Red Iveagh. But his real worth lay in his devotion to his Royal Master who loved him above all his many dogs".

This intimacy appears to have followed a relatively short acquaintance, with Jack only entering royal service in November 1901. Nevertheless, King Edward and Jack became constant companions with the terrier often accompanying his monarch to important public events. No doubt he would have done so again during that royal visit.

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In case readers had not sufficiently grasped the significance of Jack's death, The Irish Times reminded them that when King Edward had fallen seriously ill in 1902, "the first indirect intimation that the worst was past was the simple but welcome announcement, 'Every afternoon Jack is permitted to pay a short visit to his master'. Throughout the long period of suffering the King had always a thought for his dumb friend, who had ingratiated himself in his master's favour."

It is perhaps fitting that the site of Jack’s grave lies conveniently close to a rather worn plinth to a dead tree planted by Jemima Countess of St Germans, wife of the then Viceroy Edward Granville Eliot, third Earl of St Germans in 1855. Unfortunately, the tree died shortly after it was planted, quickly followed by the Countess on July 2nd, 1856. Her husband left Ireland heartbroken soon afterwards.

The memorial was thoughtfully erected by his successor, George William Frederick Howard, seventh Earl of Carlisle but perhaps better known as Viscount Morpeth.

Both men were sympathetic to the relatively moderate Catholic nationalist ambitions of the era and popular in Ireland.

Some 257,000 Irishmen signed a “Farewell Address to Morpeth” and this important social document is now lodged in NUI Maynooth.

Tree, dog and Countess are still commemorated on the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin, now restored and clearly a healthier residence than in its days of imperial splendour. Grave and plinth lie side by side on a quiet tree-lined path not far from the more recently installed People’s Acorn, and the Plough and Stars sculpture representing a more democratic era.

Nevertheless, if any members of the royal family should be visiting the Áras it would be a pity if they were not to be invited to pay their respects to King Edward’s Irish “chum” as part of their itinerary. Some begrudgers may grumble about Irish curs and running dogs of imperialism but such a visit would be popular with dog lovers everywhere.