A proud son of Kilkenny all his days, and a poet and sportsman. James Veale was president of New York's Kilkenny Men's Association in the early 20th century. He penned this when his Kilkenny team won the 1930 football championship:
New York Football champions
Kilkenny 1920
There is joy tonight in Ossory, from Gowran to Glenmore
From ancient Kells across to where Poulnassy waters roar
From the hurlers of Moondharrig, to the banks of the Lingaun
From the storied town of rebel Ross, to the highlands ‘round Farnaun
Proud are the white walled cabins that claim a gallant son
Who played today in New York town, who played the game, and won
They beat the best, South East and West, in battles fierce and keen
And have never lowered their colours yet, Kilkenny’s Black and Green
They have won today though far away, upon the Yankee shore
Let their praises ring through mount and glen, by the Barrow, Suir and Nore
Let old Slievenamon look down upon and sing their praises too
For her gallant sons before them fell across the ocean blue
Beside the towering turrets of mighty Gotham town
Where monuments of Irish brawn from lowering clouds look down
To battle for the championship, your gallant sons went forth
Against Cavan’s famed O’Reilly’s, great champions of the North
The scattered Gael in thousands came, from the North, South, East and West
To see his game of boyhood days, played by Ireland’s best
Many a cheer rose ringing round, as Cavan took the field
Prepared to test Kilkenny’s best – who were never known to yield
The referee’s whistle sounds, the ball goes into play
Like flashing fire from out the skies, Jim Reddy breaks away
The leather goes from Phelan now, to Duggan of renown
And across to Tommy Daly, the pride of Cotterstown
Now Furlong and Jim Farrell, have charged the Cavan backs
With Kilkenny’s Matty Butler, in some fierce and grand attacks
Strong was that Cavan back defence against the "Miners" from the Nore
But the white flag fluttered in the breeze for the first Kilkenny score
Down came the mighty north men, and charged the miners ground
But down upon our halfback line, some fearless men they found
Here, Hanrahan and Doolan, from Gowran and Glenmore
Met, and then sent back in slashing style, amid a thunderous roar
Again the red clad North men came charging down the field
In fierce determination to make those back men yield
But Carroll, Dwyer and Aylward, across that goal were drawn
Sons of Kells, and old Knocktopher, with Jack Maher from Farnaun
There goes the final whistle sound, Kilkenny wins the day
There goes the news across the wave to homes far, far away
To homes in verdant Ossory who sigh for them in vain
Saying! "Come back to me, I yet will be, A Nation Once Again"
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 28th Sep 1878 | |
| Date of Death | 26th Oct 1930 | |
| Names of Siblings | John J. Veale 1867-1934 Katherine Veale 1869-1949 Thomas Veale 1871-1873 Michael Veale 1873-1930 Thomas 1875- unknown Mary Katherine Veale 1877-1977 Margaret Mary Veale 1881-1973 Bridget Veale 1882-1887 Edward Peter Veale 1885-1967 | |
| Number of Siblings | 9 | |
| Place of Death | New York City | |
| Spouse (First Name/s and Maiden/Surname) | Bridget (Delia) Elizabeth Walsh, a native of Curraghmore, Co. Galway | |
