Adelphi Cinema manager Harry Lush recalls intervening in a row between Maurice (Kruger) Kavanagh and the poet Patrick Kavanagh.
From 1943 – 1981 Harry Lush was manager of the Adelphi Cinema in Dublin. He describes an incident that took place in the 1940s where he had to intervene in an argument between guest house proprietor Maurice (Kruger) Kavanagh from Dún Chaoin in west County Kerry and the poet Patrick Kavanagh from Monaghan.
Two years after the end of the Second World War, the poet Patrick Kavanagh visited Harry Lush at the Adelphi Cinema. The poet was thinking of taking a holiday in Dún Chaoin at the guesthouse Tigh Kruger owned by Kruger Kavanagh.
On returning from Kerry, Patrick Kavanagh visited Harry Lush again and told him about his stay at Corca Dhuibhne in Tigh Kruger. He recounted many problems with the visit, he did not like the food and he felt the place was bad value. However, he failed to mention the account he wrote on the train back to Dublin for 'The Irish Press' about a west Kerry shebeen.
The article, ‘My Christmas in Kerry’ highlighted how Kruger’s unlicensed premises did a fine trade in alcohol on Christmas Day. This article drew the attention of An Garda Síochána and two policemen were subsequently dispatched from Tralee to interview Kruger.
Sometime later, Kruger visited the Adelphi Cinena and told Harry Lush how Patrick Kavanagh had left the guesthouse without paying the bill for his lodgings. Adding insult to injury the poet had also taken Kruger’s bicycle to get to Daingean. Before Kruger could catch up with him, Patrick Kavanagh was on the bus from Daingean to Tralee, leaving the bicycle outside a hotel.
During his visit to the Adelphi Cinema, Kruger spotted Patrick Kavanagh. While the poet was dining in the cinema restaurant, Kruger waited until it was time for him to pay his bill. At this point, Kruger accosted Patrick Kavanagh and marched him to the toilets,
Agus an file bocht ag luainigh agus ag béiceach.
Harry Lush got between the two men and sternly warned Kruger that such behaviour may be fitting for Kerry but was not appropriate for the Adelphi Cinema in the capital city of Ireland. This chastisement had the desired effect,
Leis sin, scoil sé a greim.
Patrick Kavanagh seized the opportunity to make good his escape and raced from the cinema.
This episode of ‘I M'Aonar Seal’ was broadcast on 29 March 1981.
