Tattered Jeans

A gullywasher couldn't stop this annual Irish fete; the flask of whiskey helpedbut not like you think

The washing by Patrick Muggins and son.
Photo by Katie Oxford
Michael Griffin, president of the Irish 100 Club, serving up Irish Whiskey for atoast.
Photo by Katie Oxford
The opening ceremony of the 42nd Ceremonial Cleaning of the Dick Dowling Statueon March 11 with the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Swanson Boy Scouts.
Photo by Katie Oxford
Helen D. Mooty as Jane Long, "Mother of Texas," telling the story of "FourFeisty Women of Texas."
Photo by Katie Oxford
Larry Joe Miggins makes the wash with his own special blend.
Photo by Katie Oxford
The Miggins brothers: Neil, from left, Patrick, Larry Joe, Thomas and Michael.
Photo by Katie Oxford
Lucy Miggins, from left, Claire Miggins, Larry Miggins and Molly Miggins.
Photo by Katie Oxford
Laying of the wreath by Dowling descendants.
Photo by Katie Oxford
The John Bell Hood Color Guard of Galveston.
Photo by Katie Oxford
Kathleen Muggins
Photo by Katie Oxford
Kathleen and Larry Miggins, parents of 12 and grandparents of 35 children.
Photo by Katie Oxford
A toast to Dick Dowling: Capt. Don Herlitz of 11th Texas Field Artillery, fromleft, The John Bell Hood Color Guard of Galveston and Larry Joe Miggins.
Photo by Katie Oxford
Jane Long was awarded a medal, a replica of the only medal given during theCivil War by Robert E. Lee.
Photo by Katie Oxford
Kathleen Miggins, from left, Sherl Miggins, Fiona Swanson, Helen Mooty (JaneLong), Maureen Miggins Swanson and Kathleen Miggins Hibbler...all "feisty Texaswomen," says Larry Joe Miggins.
Photo by Katie Oxford

In spite of Sunday’s gullywasher, the 42nd Ceremonial Cleaning of the Dick Dowling Statue in Hermann Park took place. That morning, I stupidly made some phone calls to inquire if the event was still on but no one was home. When I showed up at the site wearing boots and a slicker, everyone was already in place and standing at attention. By days’ end, I was reminded that gullywasher or not, there is nothing more fun than spending an afternoon with the Irish!

Dick Dowling, seemingly, was a gutsy guy and also likeable. What Irish person isn’t?

He’s most remembered as the Irish Confederate hero in the Battle of Sabine Pass (Sept. 8, 1863). What I didn’t know was his strong connection to Houston.

Larry Joe Miggins mixed his own special blend for the occasion. He poured a gallon of water into a brass bucket and added a wee bit of Irish whiskey from a flask. Of course, after the washing, toasting the honoree seemed appropriate.

Born in Milltown, near Tuam, County Galway, Ireland, Dowling, and his family of 10 immigrated to America in 1846 and settled in New Orleans. After losing his parents and all but two siblings to Yellow Fever, he came to Houston and opened several saloons in 1857. One, called, “The Bank,” (Bank of Bacchus) was located just across the street from Houston’s courthouse. Dowling was involved in establishing Houston’s first gaslight company, streetcar company and fire department.

When the Civil War broke out, Dowling joined the Texas unit. Later, as Lieutenant Dowling, he was given an artillery post at Fort Griffin on the Sabine River. Amazingly, because of their artillery skills, Dowling and 44 men (mostly Irish) known as the Jefferson Davis Guards forced a Union navy flotilla of 5,000 to retreat, thus, “thwarting a Union invasion of Texas.”

Dowling’s monument has moved several times. Dedicated on St. Patrick’s Day in 1905, it was originally placed at Houston City Hall on Market Square and, later, was moved to Sam Houston Park. In 1958, it found its final resting place on the southeast edge of Hermann Park (near the intersection of Hermann Park Loop, Holcombe and North MacGregor).

The Larry Miggins family, a Houston family of Irish descent (and all delightful), has been responsible for cleaning the monument since 1963. In 1970, the cleaning became a ceremonial event. Miggins from ages 3 and up participate in every aspect of the event. Having now attended one, I will not want to miss another!

After the laying of the wreath performed by Dowling descendants, the guest speaker, Helen D. Mooty (director of the Galveston County Museum) told us a story. Dressed in the guise of Jane Herbert Wilkinson Long (known as the Mother of Texas) she talked about “Four Feisty Women of Texas.” Margaret McCormick, Jane Long, ‘Kate’ Dorman and Obedience Smith. Using an Irish accent, she told the story laced with humor. Apparently, “Obedience wasn’t so obedient,” she said.

Afterwards came the ceremonial washing of the statue. With the gullywasher and all, I figured that the monument was pretty well cleaned. However, Larry Joe Miggins mixed his own special blend for the occasion. He poured a gallon of water into a brass bucket and added a wee bit of Irish whiskey from a flask. Of course, after the washing, toasting the honoree seemed appropriate.

Cups were raised to Dick Dowling and others. Larry Joe explained, “We’re not here to glorify war. We’re here to honor courage, selflessness and to all those who stood up then and to those standing up today.”

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Event Program:

Greeting by Larry Joe Miggins

Invocation by Larry Miggins

Presenting Colors by John Bell Hood Color Guard of Galveston

Singing of the National Anthem by Maureen Miggins Swanson

Pledge of Allegiance by the Swanson Boy Scouts

Calling of the Piper

Laying of the Wreath by Dowling Descendants

Introduction of the speaker, “Feisty Women That Made Texas Great”

Helen Mooty, Director of the Galveston County Museum

Ceremonial Washing of the Statue by Pat Miggins

Final Remarks by Kathleen Miggins

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Hot Headlines

Houston Tex-Mex restaurant reboots as steakhouse and more top stories

Courtesy of Superica

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Editor's note: It's time to catch up on the top Houston news of the week, including a Tex-Mex restaurant's upcoming reboot and the much-anticipated RodeoHouston concert lineup. Read on for our most popular stories of the week, then head here for more weekend fun.

1. Houston Tex-Mex restaurant to shutter and reopen as a casual steakhouse. A restaurant in the Heights is switching from Tex-Mex to steaks. Rocket Farm will close its Tex-Mex restaurant Superica on February 15 and reopen the space as Star Rover, a casual steakhouse, on February 26.

2. RodeoHouston reveals 2026 lineup starring Lizzo, Lainey Wilson, and Creed. After months of social media anticipation, the lineup for this year’s RodeoHouston concert series has been revealed. It’s a year of homegrown talent making bucket list appearances, intriguing debuts, reliable stunners, and millennial nostalgia.

3. Sawyer Yards cafe closes as Astro-owned Houston coffee brand pivots. A Houston hospitality group is shifting from operating cafes to selling coffee products to as many people as possible. Rex Hospitality’s decision to focus on products such as cold brew concentrate means that Maven Coffee in Sawyer Yards has closed, but the space will soon reopen as the newest outpost of a growing Houston coffee shop.

4. New Texas-sized dance hall and saloon two-steps into Houston mall. A massive country music dance hall is two-stepping into Houston. Cowboys Red River Dance Hall and Saloon will open its third Texas location this month at Plazamericas, the Latin-themed shopping mall and entertainment complex in Southwest Houston.

5. Soccer-obsessed Houston sports bar flies into new home in Montrose. An enduring Montrose sports bar is making a big move this fall. The Phoenix on Westheimer will move from its current location to a new home at 1643 Richmond Avenue.

The Phoenix will move from Westheimer to Richmond. The Phoenix on Westheimer/Facebook

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