A century ago this year, bonfires were blazing on the hills of Ireland for Daniel Mannix. The name may not mean much to us today, but in Australia Archbishop Mannix remains one of the most influential and widely known characters of 20th century history.

Born in Cork, the Archbishop of Melbourne played no small role in defeating conscription in Australia during World War I, and was barred from entering Ireland in 1920, such was the fear of his political influence. He gained the Freedom of the City of New York, and his name is still known to most Aussies even today.

Donal Fallon spoke to Gavan about this important moment in Irish history.