Out of the Mists of Ireland

A well-written chronology of Patrick McMahon's life. From growing up in rural Ireland to service as Guardman 1st Battalion Irish Guards in the Middle East, which included a boxing career, and later pro wrestling in Canada. And so it began...

My mother went home to her parent's house to give birth to me. A few days after I was born, I was taken to the Catholic Church in Newton Butler to be christened. I was christened by Father Maguire, the rebel priest of Newton Butler. I was named Patrick, after my grandfather. Father Maguire was an unrepentant Republican; that is to say he wanted the British out of Northern Ireland. He ran rallies and made fiery speeches against the British occupation. When he made a speech the Pro-British press would write about it and they might use a headline such as "Another Salvo from the Cannon." Father Maguire was parish priest of Newton Butler and he was also known as Cannon Maguire. Newton Butler is overshadowed by Carn Rock, the highest peak in the Mountains of Sleive Bay.