12 CELEBRATING LIVING HISTORY Tony Mulvey: A remarkable 60-year career


Front row, from left: Garry Cotter, editor, Nenagh Guardian; Seamus Hayes, freelance, formerly sports editor, Clare Champion; Carol Byrne, Clare Champion, incoming chair, NUJ SW; Tony Mulvey; Norma Prendiville, Limerick Leader, outgoing chair, NUJ SW; Colman Garrihy, freelance; Anna Nolan, freelance; and back row, from left: Mary Dundon, head of journalism, University of Limerick; Nicola Corless, marketing and communications manager with Lero; Dan Danaher, Clare Champion; Tracey Walsh, chief sub editor, Clare Champion; Gerry McInerney, deputy editor Clare Champion; Austin Hobbs, former editor, Clare Champion; Nick Rabbitts, secretary NUJ SW, Limerick Leader; Jessica Quinn, Clare Champion; Missy Knowles, freelance. Photo: John Kelly


On Thursday, November 22nd last, the Irish South West branch held a special event to mark the retirement of Tony Mulvey from The Clare Champion after 60 years of


service with the company. To mark this extraordinary achievement, the branch


honoured Tony with a citation and the presentation of a piece of sculpture commissioned in recognition for his outstanding contribution to journalism and to his union throughout that time. At the event, Tony produced memorabilia including


his late father George’s union dues book – between them they had more than 80 years’ service to journalism. Tony’s union involvement began in 1971 when he


was a founder member of the Clare Champion Chapel, a chapel that still boasts full union membership and continues to strive for better pay and conditions for our workforce. Tony was also to the fore in representing the chapel as part of a national movement that sought and won an overtime allowance. This was when the NUJ initiated a work to rule nationally and Tony ensured that the chapel did not give an inch. Tony also served his time as a branch officer with Irish South West. At a time when this branch looked after Cork, North Tipperary, Clare, Kerry and Limerick, he served in the very difficult role of treasurer for a number of years. Tony marked his 60th anniversary week at the Champion rather quietly. He submitted his copy from the Liscannor coursing meeting and wrapped up a few stories he still had in his notebook. Professional to the very last. Two major awards highlight his enormous


contributions: Some years ago, he was presented with the Hall of Fame Award by the Clare Association in


Dublin and he was also the first journalist to be accorded a civic reception by Clare County Council. On Monday, October 5, 1959, Tony Mulvey opened the door at O’Connell Street for his first day at work at the Champion. One of Tony’s first major stories – an international scoop - was the initial siteworks for the Shannon Free Zone in the early 1960s. “Nearly 60 years on, I’m proud to say I broke this


story. The free zone is the most important business and industrial location in the Mid-West; it evolved on the back of the airport,” Tony said. But when it comes to politics, Tony is in his element. “I love it. Local, general, presidential or European elections, it doesn’t matter, it gives you plenty of material to write about. I’ve a good rapport with politicians and supporters of all sides; they know I’ve a job to do and they know I will give a right of reply. That is something young journalists should remember,” he said. Appointed chief reporter in 1974, Tony served as acting editor on many occasions up to his retirement in 2006. He was delighted to be given the opportunity by the Galvin family to pursue his love of journalism on a part-time basis since then. “It was my ambition to reach my 60th anniversary


milestone with the Champion and it’s great to achieve this,” he said. “I can look back at working with some great reporters, some of whom went on to work in other newspapers or other media forums. I have enjoyed my work and have been privileged with the opportunities journalism has given me.” Tony is married to Margaret from Killimer and they


have four children, George, Shane, Claire and Mairead; and five grandchildren.


From a story by Austin Hobbs that ran in The Clare Champion, and a story submitted by Carol Byrne, chairperson of the NUJ SW branch.


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