Hamilton, Vic; Goulburn, Marrickville, NSW; Glen Osmond, SA

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Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 2: Biographies of Priests on the Australian Scene up to 1900, 1980, pp 51-52:

Clune, Francis CP; L.C.; O.B.E.; Irish, Diamond Jubilarian
The bare details of the life of this famous War Chaplain and Missioner are being reproduced from the editor's desk; while memories of the man himself will be left to his cousin and admirer, Mgr. J.T. McMahon of South Perth. Francis was born in County Clare; to be precise in the town of Ruan. The family gave four vocations to the Church: Francis and Patrick Joseph, while two of the daughters became nuns. He came to Australia at the age of 23, studying for the priesthood at the Passionist Monastery in Goulburn. After Ordination he appears to have remained at Mary's Mount, giving Missions in several States and living in the atmosphere of the Enright affair until the departure of the latter who broke "the fetters" in 1907. Possibly at this time Francis was on relief duties in the Ballarat Diocese (1906 Directory). A stay at Glen Osmond, Adelaide, was followed by his appointment to Marrickville as Superior. He remained there until 1915 and then took charge at Goulburn. The 1914-18 War Chaplaincy is described by Mgr. McMahon, and so the hero with the Military Cross returned to Australia in 1919. Many were the missions preached, the Confessions heard in the period 1919-1960, when the Marrickville House was his main place of abode and activity. The writer recalls hearing and being impressed by the missioner in 1927 at Stawell, Vic. ... The voice was squeaky, but the thoughts on earnest and constant prayer were inspirational. For a time he was Chaplain at Long Bay, careful at all times to defend his "boys" who were "basically good", no matter what crime they had committed. The revered confessor, adviser, and friend of all died on 18 June 1960. 90 years and a Diamond Jubilee are but the minor achievements to his credit. Burial took place in the Passionist plot at Mary's Mount, Goulburn. His remains were recently transferred to Rookwood. ... And now, over to Mgr. McMahon ...
The Cream of Their Race ... Francis Clune CP
"......He was a little man, a pioneer in wearing a beard which protected a weak throat. A hoarse speaking voice was most effective, distinct, audible and sincere. The elder brother Patrick Joseph, was tall, dignified and had a voice whose music held congregations in the old and new worlds. Different in their appearances they were equally individual in character ...

Patrick Joseph was rescued by my grandfather - James Costello of Ennis - from his father's store in Abbey Street, Ennis, and sent to the Minor Seminary, Springfield, and thence to the Major Seminary at All Hallows, where he was ordained for the Goulburn Diocese in 1866. Francis had no such direct line to the priesthood ...

"Batty", as Francis was known to P.J. and the family, used to smilingly admit that he was the wild boy of the family and that his only escape from the Ruan village was to join the emigrant's train to Queenstown and from there to New York on the crowded emigrant ship. Unskilled he roamed the U.S.A. as a 'hobo', riding the freight trains and vagabonding from one job to another. The call of the blood brought him to Sydney where some of the family had settled. What a pity his kinsman, Frank Clune, did not collect the reminiscences of this "Rambler from Clare", and so leave a fascinating chronicle of the adventures of Francis! There was a blood relationship between my mother and the Clune, Costello, McMahon line. A journalist heralded my arrival in Perth in February 1921 as "the Archbishop's nephew" and that stuck no matter how often I corrected it. Actually the Archbishop was a second cousin of my mother. Fr. Francis and I clung to the cousinship and his many visits to Perth were occasions of mutual delight.
I can still remember a retreat he gave to the Perth priests ... the beard, the husky voice, the gentle and shy manner, the well-prepared conferences that brought consolation and humour ... We Perth priests agreed that as a Father Confessor he gave the impression that he himself was a real penitent and a friend of penitents. His reputation in Sydney confirmed that, for he was constantly in demand as a confessor, as a visitor to war returnees, but, above all, as a retreat master for priests and religious ...
As Chaplains in World War I both he and Fr. John Fahey of Perth were held in high regard by their fellows on the battle-field. In fact, they were a legend among the "diggers". Fahey could speak the language of the men without causing scandal. They knew that he loved to shock, and so at gatherings of the "returned" the anecdotes were accepted with amusement. Francis was accepted by the men more as the consoler and practical helper. Both received the D.S.O. for "gallantry under fire" ... When Archbishop Clune, as Deputy Chaplain General, visited the Australian sector at the Somme, both were with him to assist at his Mass and to lead the men in greeting him ... Both men had the ecumenical mind that understood everyone. Both made themselves accessible, putting great effort into mixing with all creeds and classes.
I recall a visit to Sevenhill and Clare with Father Francis as guide. We met many of the Ramblers from County Clare in their homes. Names of places in Clare had been given to their respective homes, and, of course, they were anxious to claim kinship with both of us. Mine was a special welcome as I was born at O'Connell Square, Ennis. It was here that the Kerry lawyer, Daniel O'Connell, won his great election victory in 1828 by a huge majority. This led to the settlement of the Clare we were visiting and it came about in this way:
O'Connell's election was the most memorable event in 19th century Ireland. He had promised not to go to Westminster if elected, unless Catholic Emancipation became the law of the land. William Vessey Fitzgerald, a rich landlord, was the member for County Clare but had to seek re-election in 1828. O'Connell's supporters pledged all avoidance of provocation and to abstain from whisky. They kept the pledge so well that the large forces of armed police and military sent to Ennis to maintain order had to stand by inactively ... Voters had to declare their votes openly. The returning officer had the rival candidates on each side of him, as the tenant farmers cast their votes for O'Connell. Their names were noted by the landlords' agents and later an eviction order was served on them. The British Government was shocked by the election result and embarrassed by the evictions. So they chartered to transport many of the evicted to Australia. When they landed in Adelaide they were coldly received by the Establishment, so they went 'bush' and founded Clare. Their descendants have won recognition in all professional fields and avocations. A subject for a historical novel!
During the First World War was reported missing, feared dead. He was buried as a result of a bomb explosion but eventually rescued. He also lost the sight of one eye and in recompense was granted free transport on trains and buses..."
(Footprints, Vol. 2, No. 6)

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Catholic Parish of St Augustine, Yass, Priests who have served in the Parish of Yass, July 2018, https://staug-yass.org.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/priests_list.pdf, accessed on 24 December 2025: "Rev. Father F. Clune, 1900."