Principal Superior of CUS dies from gunshot wounds.
THE VERY REV. DR. F. J. WATTERS.
1851 - 1916
On 3rd May 1916, the
same day Pearse, Clarke & McDonagh were executed, Fr. F J Watters, Principal
Superior of CUS was shot by a sniper when leaving the presbytery of St Mary’s church
in Haddington road where the was staying at the time. It is believed he was en-route
to Baggot Street hospital on a mercy mission at the time. – The priests of St
Mary’s Parish were regular attendees at Baggot St Hospital as this was where
many of the wounded from both sides of the rebellion were brought.
Born at Dundalk, in 1851, he
entered St. Mary's College there at an early age. In 1872 he made his religious
profession in the Society of Mary, and on his ordination two years later was
appointed to the Catholic University School, where he remained till 1884.
At the end of that year he was
sent to Wellington, NZ, to found the College of St. Patrick, of which he was
the first president. He returned in 1897 leaving behind him a firmly
established and flourishing foundation. Hs was attached to the missionary staff
of St. Anne's, Underwood Street, London, where he endeared himself to all with
whom came in contact. In 1902 he was appointed Superior of the Catholic
University School, Dublin, over the destinies of which he presided till his
untimely death
