Remembering Two Irish International Rugby Players born in Ballyshannon

          

Ballyshannon winner of Victoria Cross
Robert Johnston of "Laputa"

Forthcoming Local History Talk in the Rock Hall on Friday 15th Novenber at 8 p.m. by Anthony Begley “Remembering the 75th Anniversary of Plane Crashes in Ballyshannon, Cashelard and Bundoran, also remembering the 120th Anniversary of Ballyshannon Brass and Reed Band”. All welcome to this free illustrated talk organised by County Donegal Historical Society  in memory of Louis and Kathleen Emerson.

As the World Rugby finals reach a climax in Japan it is a fitting time to remember that two Ballyshannon men represented Ireland in rugby internationals in the late 19th century. Their rugby exploits have been largely forgotten although both had distuinguished military careers with one winning a Victoria Cross in the Boer War and the other winning a Military Cross in World War One.

Robert Johnston Irish Rugby International  1893-1896

Robert Johnston was born at “Laputa” Ballyshannon, County Donegal, on the  13th August 1872, the son of Robert Johnston Q.C. “Laputa” was located over a mile from Ballyshannon on the Knather road, along the back road to Belleek. There was a gatehouse on the roadside and two avenues, one to the front and the other to the rear of the building. The house was of an unusual construction, as it was originally a two storey house but a one storey front was added to it which overlooked the Erne.  Robert Johnston was born in this house and  was later educated at King William’s College, Isle of Man. He was an accomplished rugby player  with Wanderer’s Rugby Club in Dublin and played international rugby for Ireland winning two caps against England and Wales in 1893.  He was a player on the Britsh Isles team, later called the Lions, on a tour of  South Africa in 1896 when he struck up a friendship with Tom Crean. Johnston played in three of the four tests against South Africa. Two of his brothers, Ralph and W.E. Johnston also played international rugby. Ralph also played cricket for Ireland.

Robert Johnston and Tom Crean  joined  the Imperial Light Infantry during the Boer War which started in 1899. He won his Victoria Cross, at the age of 27, for his actions in a cavalry charge at Elandslaagte on the 21st October 1899. Surviving the war in South Africa, he was commandant of a concentration camp there at Middleburg in 1902, and district commissioner in the Eastern Transvaal from 1903 to 1911 During this period  in South Africa he played rugby in the Transvaal. On his return  to Ireland he joined the prison service. During World War 1 he commanded a prisoner of war camp in County Meath. He was later Governor of Maryborough Prison and later appointed a Resident Magistrate. He died in County Kilkenny on the  25th  March 1950 where he is buried.

His birthplace at “Laputa” in Ballyshannon was also the home of a number of celebrated individuals and events. The most famous duel fought in Ballyshannon took place in a field beside “Laputa” on 2nd March 1802. In the late 19th century well-known medical doctor Simon Sheil, who left £6,000 for the building of the Sheil Hospital, resided at “Laputa.” Captain Ramage and his family were the last to reside in “Laputa”; he was a well-known solicitor who carried on his practise opposite the Imperial Hotel in the town. “Laputa” was demolished during the Erne Hydro-Electric Scheme which created Assaroe Lake about seventy years ago.

Major Myles played for Ireland in a Rugby Tour to Canada in 1899

James Sproule Myles son of John Myles was a most successful Ballyshannon businessman, politician and community leader who devoted a lifetime service to the welfare of his town and county. He was popular with all classes and creeds and was recognised as a man of immense talent and leadership qualities. In his youth he was educated at Londonderry Academical Institution which later amalgamated with Foyle College in April 1889. He was a brilliant student who excelled at rugby and swimming. His sporting prowess in swimming competitions was recognized as he was a school champion and in 1895 he won the North-West Open Swimming championship. Myles played rugby for the Ulster schools in 1895 and was also a playing member of City of Derry Rugby Club from 1894-1899. His skills as a rugby player were recognized when he was selected as a member of the Irish Rugby touring team to Canada. This was the first overseas tour by an Ireland rugby team and the team were in Canada in October-November 1899. The team won ten out of their eleven matches against Canadian sides and scored 150 points conceding only 50. Unfortunately for James Sproule Myles he broke his leg on this overseas tour and remained in Canada until December 1899. The remaining members of the Irish team had returned to Ireland in November. 

With his brother Robert he later expanded the family business in Ballyshannon, into one of the major enterprises in the North-West with timber yards and a hardware emporium second to none. His family had ships importing timber, slate, coal and other hardware goods to Ballyshannon and he was an expert harbour pilot as he guided the ship safely to port. The Myles family are especially remembered in Ballyshannon for introducing electric light to the town in 1908 and shortly afterwards extended the service to Bundoran.  Myles was prominently identified with the Ulster Volunteer Movement which favoured maintaining the link with Britain and on the outbreak of World War 1 he served with the Eleventh Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusilliers (Donegal and Fermanagh). At the Battle of the Somme Major Myles was severely wounded twice and was awarded the Military Cross for “conspicuous gallantry in action”.

His entry into public life was as a member of Ballyshannon Town Commissioners and  he was elected onto Donegal County Council where he served for 30 years and he also served on the Board of Health. Always keen to make a contribution to his community he provided an unofficial fire- fighting service in the town and he took a prominent role in the Red Cross during the Emergency (1939-1945).  One of the first drivers of a motor car in Donegal, when the first steam roller was introduced into Ballyshannon by the County Council he gave driving instruction. He was elected as an Independent to the Dáil in 1922 and in the years when Donegal was a single constituency he headed the poll, always being elected on the first count. He represented East Donegal from 1937-1943 when the county was divided into two constituencies and was well respected as a national politician. Major Myles died on the 13^th of February 1956 aged 78 at his residence called “Inis Saimer” overlooking the island of the same name. Major Myles was buried at St. Anne’s on Mullaghnashee. The Myles family business continued under his nephew John Myles until it was sold in 1971. Both Robert Johnston and Sproule Myles were accomplished rugby players in their early years and it is appropriate to remember their Ballyshannon roots and their achievements as the Rugby World Cup continues in Japan.

Book available from  A Novel Idea Bookshop Ballyshannon, Four Masters Bookshop Donegal Town and Local Hands Ballyshannon.

Hardback and softback book also available from the author Anthony Begley- contact anthonyrbegley@hotmail.com