Profile of Edward Gwynn by Edward Liddle

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DateLine: 16th March 2017

Edward Gwynn was an enthusiastic cricketer and rugby footballer though, partly because of ill health and partly because he lacked their natural ability, he never achieved the same pre-eminence as did his four younger brothers.

A member of both the XI and the XV at St Columba's College, he played for the 2nd XV for two seasons (1888-1890) while at Dublin University (or Trinity College, the names are synonymous) as hard working forward and also played some matches for the 2nd XI, but most of his senior cricket was played for the Phoenix Club, or in the late summer the University Long Vacation XI, a somewhat amorphous body.

His 1st XI appearances for Phoenix were somewhat limited but he treasured one innings in particular recalling it in his later years to his son David, also a good, but rather occasional, cricketer. The innings in question was played against the Leinster club on a turning wicket at their Rathmines ground. He made 42, facing two of the best bowlers in Ireland, the off-spinners Bill Harrington and Bob Lambert.

Away from the sports fields he had a distinguished academic career, pioneering the study of Celtic Languages at the University before becoming Provost in 1927. In this role, similar to that of a Vice Chancellor, he did much to establish good relations between the University, previously a bastion of the Anglo-Irish Protestant Ascendancy and the newly independent Irish Governments; this being particularly important after Eamon De Valera came to power.

Gwynn never fully recovered from an attack of tuberculosis he suffered when a comparatively young man, the illness being eventually responsible for his death.