His Life
Early Life
Fr. James was born on the 22nd of April 1883, the fourth of ten children born to John and Mary (nee Hennessey) O’Callaghan, farmers in Laravoulta, Enniskeane.
The family included
Bridget 1879 (m. John Connolly, Canovee)
Margaret 1880 (m. William Crowley, Green St. Cork)
Timothy 1881 (m. Bridget O’Mahony)
James 1883 (Fr. James)
Julia 1885 (m. O’Driscoll, Laravoulta)
Mary 1887 (m. John Crowley (Draper), Bandon)
Patrick 1890 (d. Aged 17 in 1907)
Denis 1892 (married in Dublin) Agricultural Instructor
John 1894 (bachelor)
Humphrey 1896 G.P. Kilbrittain, (bachelor)
Education
James received his early education in Castletown-Kinneigh National School and then attended the Lordan Classical School in Bandon, where he was a classmate of another famous son of Newcestown, Edward J. (Bishop) Galvin, who co-founded the Maynooth Mission to China. Sadly, neither of his parents was alive to witness his call to the priesthood, Mary having died in 1896, aged forty and John having died 2 years later in 1898, aged fifty six. Mary and John were buried in Templemartin churchyard cemetery in the ancestral O’Callaghan family grave.
Ordination 1908
In 1901, having attended Farranferris Seminary, James entered St. Patrick’s College Maynooth to study for the priesthood. After “a brilliant course” in Maynooth (according to the Irish Independent), he was ordained in 1908 and worked on the English Mission for three years.
Grá don Ghaeilge
Though not a native Irish speaker, James had a great love for the language, and studied it until he became a proficient Irish scholar. His command of an Ghaeilge was such that in 1911, when Fr. Conchubhar O’Leary PP of the Uibh Laoire Gaeltacht, was in declining health, Fr. O’Callaghan was appointed to assist him.
On Fr. O’Leary’s death in 1913, James was appointed as the first Curate in Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh. He was soon involved in many activities and initiatives, becoming a Professor of Irish in Coláiste na Mumhan, a leader of the Temperance Movement (the Pioneer T.A.A) and closely identifying with the Nationalist cause. It was a great disappointment to his parishioners when an tAthair Seamus, as he was affectionately known, was transferred as Curate to the Cathedral Parish Cork in 1917. A very fine illuminated address was presented to their departing Sagart Óg by the Pioneer T.A.A. on behalf of Parósdánaig Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaigh.
Ministry in Cork City
In Cork city Fr. James was initially appointed chaplain to the Good Shepherd Convent, Sunday’s Well, and additionally as curate to the chapel of ease in Clogheen in 1920. He also conducted the winter Gaeilge classes in St. Patrick’s Place - being described by the Cork Examiner as having “a distinguished reputation as a Celtic researcher and scholar”.
As there was no residence attached to Clogheen, he obtained temporary lodgings at 2 Upper Janemount, Sunday’s Well. This was the house of his good friend Alderman Liam de Róiste who he knew from their mutual involvement with Coláiste na Múmhan.