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Recognising The Craft

14/11/2021

At the start of our conversational Irish walk this morning, there was a brief discussion of the Irish word for Blacksmith (Gabha) and the name Smith (MacGabhann). On our way back, we passed Smithgrove Terrace.

This brought to might a recent tweet from Christy Cunniffe about a headstone at Gallen, Ferbane, Co. Offaly with carvings of blacksmith’s tools.

This reminded me of a similar carving at Kilgobbin, Camp, Co. Kerry. References to Blacksmiths and Forges have long received nods of appreciation and respect when spotted by my eyes.

These co-incidences are enough to remember Thimothy Riordan who ceased being a craftsman in 1825.

Written in Stone

13/11/2021

A while back, I mentioned the carved correction on the headstone in Crosshaven.

I have spotted some more corrections – so have put them together.

100 Not Out

12/11/2021

Thomas Franklin - d. 16 June 1766 - Aged 104 Yrs

Kilmurry, Limerick

Even with people living longer in current times, it is not very common to read of people reaching 100 years of age.

In the last year or so, I have encountered the graves of a few centurions. Reaching 100 years is remarkable in itself but to do so in 1868, 1853 or even 1762 would, I expect, have been not very common at all.

Dun Bolg, Carrignavar, Co. Cork

Sacred

To The Memory Of

ELIZABETH DONOVAN

Who Died 1 May 1854

Aged 101 Years

Kate Mulcahy - d. 1878 - Aged 110 yrs

Kilgobbin, Camp, Co. Kerry

To Kill

11/11/2021

Kilgobbin, Camp, Co. Kerry

MURPHY (Glennagalt, Camp, Co. Kerry) – June 15, 1953, in London (as a result of an accident), Frank Murphy; deeply regretted by his wife and children and all his relatives, and a large circle of friends. Remains arriving Camp to-morrow (Tuesday) evening. Funeral on Wednesday to Kilgobbin Cemetery at 1 o’c. (O.T.). R.I.P.”
Irish Press – p. 13 – Monday June 22, 1953

MURPHY – On June 15, 1953 (as a result of an accident), Frank Murphy, late of Glenagalt, Camp, Co. Kerry, and beloved husband of Mary (née Dempsey), formerly of Burlea, Glandore, Co. Cork. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing wife and children R.I.P. Funeral leaving Paddington on to-day (Monday) at 3.45 o’clock for Tralee.
The Cork Examiner – p.1 – Monday June 22, 1953

More than once, I have pondered the use of the word ‘killed’ as opposed to’died’ on cemetery headstones – John Flanagan and Breda O’Connell both are remembered as having been killed. When walking through Kilgobbin Cemetery in Camp, Co. Kerry, I spotted another headstone using the word ‘Killed’.

The death notices in the Irish Press and Cork Examiner of Monday 22nd June, 1935 notes that Frank Murphy died as a result of an accident. The headstone reads that he was ‘killed at work in England’.

Chambers Dictionary may define to ‘kill’ as to ‘cause the death of (an animal or person)’ but the classification system in my brain has difficulty with accidental killing. Accidental death, I can understand but I have not yet learned to accept the logic of accidental killing.

Equal In Death – But Not In Remembrance

8/6/2021

Whether you take inspiration from Christy Moore, John Donne or the Bible, the guiding principle is that we are all equal upon death

That may be true for whatever afterlife awaits but it does not appear true regarding the memory left behind.

A large plot inside the old gates to Drumcliffe Cemetery in Ennis contains the remains of 28 people who died when a Pan-Am airplane crashed on approach to Shannon in April 1948. The names are listed in three columns.

The first two columns are in alphabetical order. The third is not which was a bit puzzling to this reader.

Bernadine M. Feller is the last name on the headstone. Her FindAGrave entry answered the puzzle. The first two columns were passengers. The third column is for staff who are listed in order of seniority.

‘Death comes equally to us all, and makes us all equal when it comes. The ashes of an oak in a chimney are no epitaph of that, to tell me how high or how large that was; it tells me not what flocks it sheltered while it stood, nor what men it hurt when it fell. The dust of great persons’ graves is speechless, too; it says nothing, it distinguishes nothing.’

John Donne

‘The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.’

King James Bible

‘When the elections are all over
We’ll all be pushing up clover
And everyone in the graveyard votes the same’

Christy Moore

‘ Frank Carl Jakel, aged 35, Captain Pilot, married, from New Hyde Park, New York
Carlton Monroe Henson Jr., aged 27, First Officer Pilot, from Forest Hills, Long Island, New York
Everette G. Wallace, aged 28, Second Officer, married, from New York
Hector R. LeBlanc, aged 29, Third Officer, married, from New York
Stanley J. Frank, aged 31, Assistant Aero Engineer, married, from New York
James Victor Sexton, aged 31, Radio Operator, married, from New York
Bruce J. Nevers, aged 32, Assistant Radio Operator, married, from New York
John J. Hoffmeier, aged 40, Purser/Chief Steward, married, from New York,
Bernadine Marie Feller, aged 23, Stewardess, from New York, and Victor, Iowa’

FindAGrave

Recognising The Craftsman

7/6/2021

It was only earlier this year that twitter educated that some of the cast iron grave markers have the name of the manufacturer moulded on the marker – I went to write ‘headstone’ but it did not appear correct when not of stone.

The old cemetery at Drumcliffe in Ennis provider my first experience.

I have seen the work Shannon Foundry underfoot in a variety of iron covers, but their work to remember James Grady was a first for me.

Jane Brigdale d. 20th C

6/6/2021

Corrovorrin Cemetery in Ennis was subject of a short visit – a small cemetery off Kevin Barry Avenue.

I have seen many headstones with year of death (with and without age); with year of birth and year of death; with no year or death. Until my trip to Corrovorrin, I do not think I have seen a headstone with just century of death.

Jane Brigdale is the first.

Looking Down - and Smiling

5/6/2021

This afternoon, walking up O’Connell Street in Ennis, I was surprised to see street art underfoot, pleasantly surprised.

The incorporation of the utility covers into the street art was a thing of beauty.

When we turned around the corner, another art installation combining a road gulley with paint was absolutely brilliant, if showing signs of wear and tear.

Enjoy

Cork – Remembering the R.I.C. and the British Army

22/5/2021

There is an exhibition running at the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork in which the artist, Dara McGrath, has returned to the locations where people died in the Republican War, or Revolutionary Period, one hundred years ago. The exhibition concerns itself with the period 1919 to 1921 – the War of Independence.

The artist returns to the scene of death a century later and records the current aspect – regularly with people in the photograph who are quite likely oblivious to the past events, such events not being commemorated by a plaque or other memorial.

To promote the exhibition, billboards around Cork city were used with details of the person deceased, how they died, as well as photograph of the location.

Mind the Gap

5/1/2021

Cork - August 2020

There can be benefits of proof-reading.

It helps avoid confusion with a swell as well.

Roastery

4/1/2021

“Words are in dictionaries because they exist – they do not exist because they are in dictionaries” Máire Nic Mhaoláin

I have used the above quotation in more than a few previous blog posts when I have come across a word and wondered as to its use and origin.

‘Roastery’ is the latest word that appears to have a campaign for inclusion in a dictionary because it is in use.

Macmillan Dictionary, Chambers Dictionary and Merriam Webster Dictionary all do not have an entry for the word ‘Roastery’. Cambridge Dictionary and Collins Dictionary appears ahead of its rivals and advises that a ‘Roastery’ is a place where coffee beans are roasted.

Her Name Was Mary

3/1/2021

I have been recording roadside memorials for many years – hopefully I will get the map up-to-date at some point.

Some memorials do impact greater than others.

Maybe two days before Christmas Day had an effect on this agnostic.

Maybe it was the clear photograph and simple message.

Maybe it brought to mind the memorial to Jonathan Corrie.

Maybe it was because I recognised Mary from the streets of the city centre for more than a few years and never knew her name.

Powerful Memorial.

A Hare On A Night Out

2/1/2021

A few years back, I wrote a blog about a peacock that I spotted at 6:40 one morning walking home, crossing the main Tralee to Dingle road as if he owned it.

DK texted me shortly afterwards to say that it is a sad case that a bird cannot go out for a night without photographs appearing on social media.

Yesterday, on Pine Street, I spotted a hare complete with cigarette and bottle of (what I took to be) vodka, after what looked like a similar long night, but a possibly different outcome.

If the objective of street art is to raise a smile, this was a complete success.

You Are Not Alone

1/1/2021

I have seen signs for The Samaritans at very many locations where I have thought the message could be interpreted as suggestive in a counter-intended direction – railway platforms; quays; waterways.

To me these signs put a thought in my mind that had not been there prior to reading the sign.

Maybe that is just the way I am wired…

Yesterday, while walking around the Tank Field, I observed a different approach from Pieta House.

I have often gifted a tree, most often a cherry blossom, as a remembrance of a bereaved relative; the arrival of a new birth; and, the occupation of a new house. So I was pleasantly surprised to see the new addition on my walk.

The use of the R.E.M. lyrics made the smile wider.

Reed's Square, Cork

'Cause everybody hurts
Take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts
Don't throw your hand
Oh, no
Don't throw your hand
If you feel like you're alone
No, no, no, you're not alone

R.E.M.

Where the Covid-world met the Folklore-world

20/12/2020

On Tuesday, I observed how the modern Covid-world met the folklore-world. Initially, I was surprised, but really I ought not to have been, and should have expected it.

At many of the Holy Wells that I have visited, there has been a Rag Tree, upon which visitors would tie a piece of cloth. As I understand the practice, the visitor rubs the cloth on that part of the body with an affliction prior to fixing the cloth to the Rag Tree hoping to transfer the affliction to the cloth/rag and to leave the affliction behind at the Rag Tree when the visitor departs for home.

Today I listened to the RTE Archive clip on Fr. Moore’s Well which is located just outside Kildare town, on the road to Milltown. On Tuesday, the well had very many items which would have been encountered at other Holy Wells that I have visited – a sign describing how to perform the stations/rounds; a donation box; a memorial card, and, a Rag Tree. Fr.Moore’s Well provided all of these and more. It had a crutch – whether cast aside in hope, in recovery, or, for effect is unknown. But it was the Rag Tree, or more particularly, the rags, that brought the tradition upto the year 2020.

Among the items tied to the tree were, not just one, but two face masks – one was disposal-type of the medical sky-blue colour; the other was a reuseable-type of a bright purple colour with what appeared to be the initials ‘S.Q.’.

A used face-mask is a perfect example of ‘only of value as homage’ and proof of the continuation of tradition.

‘Yet, a large part of the business of visiting a holy well is to come for a cure. Many wells are named specifically for the particular body part or illness they reputedly cured, such as eye wells or wart wells, though many were relatively panaceal (Logan 1980). Linked to this a range of healing rituals emerged, the most prominent of which was the leaving of offerings on rag bushes or trees. This ritual was (and is) a mix of the embodied, symbolic and performative wherein an object that should have touched the body (such as a strip of cloth from a petticoat), was dipped in the well water, rubbed on the affected part and left on the tree to let nature take the now disembodied illness away.’
Ronan Foley - Small health pilgrimages: Place and practice at the holy well

‘At a number of wells the tree (or occasionally a bush) is used to secure a cloth placed there by a pilgrim. The range of trees varies greatly. A.T. Lucas took a closer look at holy well trees. He visited 210 holy wells in Cork in the 1960’s and found whitethorns (103) predominated, with ash (75), oak (7) and a mixture of other species making up the remaining 25.’
Michael Houlihan – The Holy Wells of County Clare.

‘Early in the nineteenth century, a hostile witness wrote a description of a pilgrimage to Devenish Island, Co. Fermanagh. In it he mentioned the holy well dedicated to St. Molaisse
In it people with sore eyes, and back going children wash for a cure making what is called a station (a thing that I know nothing about) and tye a rag on the thorn according to custom.’

The Holy Wells of Ireland – Patrick Logan

‘It is right, on visiting a well, to make offerings of small objects, only as value as homage. Rag offerings are naturally most frequent where there is a ‘blessed bush’ at the well, but they are frequently hung on a bramble, or even, on the Atlantic coast, kept in place by stones. Rags abounded, with other offerings, at Gleninagh, at least till 1899, being tied to the twigs of an elder bush. They were hung in quantities on the stunted old hawthorn at Oughtmama well, and were found at Tobersraheen, at Aglish graveyard at Ogonello, and on the fallen hawthorn near the basin at Kiltinanlea. They were often accompanied by rosaries, religious medals, necklaces and ribbons, broken or whole plaster and china figures and vessels, and glass, buttons, pins, and nails.’
T. J. Westropp – Folklore of Clare