Category: Cemeteries - Reading the Signs

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Where Is Molly Ryan? Is someone missing?

30/6/2022

Is it a simple error?

Molly Ryan listed third from bottom of right headstone over Plot A

Molly Ryan listed second from top of left headstone of Plot B

In St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Ballyphehane (The Botanics), there are six headstones over four separate graves to The Ladies of St Mary’s Good Shepherd Convent in Sundays Well, from 1875 to 1981. 211 names are listed on these headstones.

Molly Ryan died on 14th November 1939 but she is listed on two separate headstones over two different grave plots.

It could be a simple administrative error and there ought to be 210 names. However, the benefit of any doubt has drifted away from Mother and Baby Homes such as the Good Shepherd.

If there are 211 bodies, one lady is now forgotten in death – even more so than she was in life.

Here Lies All That Could Die

29/6/2022

I cannot recall ever seeing a message like this carved on a headstone. It definitely resonated with this reader.

‘There are three deaths. The first is when the body ceases to function. The second is when the body is consigned to the grave. The third is that moment, some time in the future, when your name is spoken for the last time’
Metamorphosis

David Eagleman from Sum: Forty tales from the afterlife

‘As if my mother
stepped from the shuffling throng
On South Main Street
and stood before me:
“Dead? Who told you I was dead?’

Nothing Is Lost
Gerry Murphy
My Life as a Stalinist

A tweet from Louvain Rees first introduced me to David Eagleman and his story, Metamorphosis. The book was quickly published and regularly takes residence in my inside jacket pocket.

A few months back, I used that quote in the Memoriam message for my mother in the Irish Examiner. Proof, if needed, that the concept has well taken root in these quarters. Gerry Murphy’s poem conveys a similar message, only different. The two were calling out to be put together.

The recent Three Castles Burning podcast on the Stolpersteine installed at Danore Avenue in Dublin notes the message in The Talmud that a person is only forgotten when their name is forgotten

This morning, at early o’clock, in Abington Cemetery, near Murroe, I read that Winifred Frances Barrington experienced the first of the three deaths in May 1921.

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.

John Flanagan Was Killed

19/12/2020

Grey Abbey, Kildare

An rud is annamh is iontach is an Irish saying which translates as ‘that what is rare, is wonderful’.

The word ‘killed’ is a rarity found on headstones, from my experience of visits to cemeteries. It does cause this writer to step back, consider, and, in the case of John Flanagen, do some further investigartion.

‘Kill - to make a person or other living thing die (transitive/intransitive verb)’ – Macmillan Dictionary

‘Kill - to cause the death of (an animal or person); to put someone to death; to murder; to slaughter; to destroy someone or something (transitive/intransitive verb)’ – Chambers Dictionary

Kill – ‘If a person, animal, or other living thing is killed, something or someone causes them to die’ – Collins Dictionary

‘Murder - to commit the crime of killing someone deliberately (transitive verb)’ – Macmillan Dictionary

‘Murder - to kill someone unlawfully and intentionally’ – Chambers Dictionary

‘Murder - To murder someone means to commit the crime of killing them deliberately.’ Collins Dictionary

Register of Death

I was unable to find any press report as to the traffic incident or the inquest. The death cert and the headstone differ slightly – Jackie derives from Jack which in turn derives from John – so that is understandable.

I have previously written as to the use of the word ‘kill’. I had difficulty in its use in a non-intentional setting. It is interesting that among the options available as to outcome of an inquest, the only ‘kill’ is ‘unlawful killing’ – that is one way of avoiding any confusion as to the interpretation of the word ‘kill’.

Some enjoy a visit to Kildare Village. My preference, by far, would be the adjoining cemetery.

The adjacent headstone is to Evelyn Flanagan, who died aged 7 weeks, in August 1934. If Evelyn was Jackie’s sister, one family would have lost two children in less than three years which may be enough to use ‘kill’ rather than ‘died’.

The Fairy Tree

29/7/2020

Shanrahan Cemetery – Part 4

Trinity Well, Newmarket, Co. Cork

Holy Well of St. Colman MacDuagh, Oughtmama, Co. Clare

I have read of and encountered Rag Trees at Holy Wells.

Most people would have heard of the planned motorway in Co. Clare being rerouted so as to avoid knocking a Fairy Tree.

Until last week, I had not heard of the song, The Fairy Tree sung by John McCormack among others – or heard of Kate Ryan who features in the song’s lyrics.

As we were making to leave the cemetery for the first time, local residents, P.J. and his good wife, out for their evening stroll, educated me as to The Fairy Tree and brought me to the grave of Katie Ryan where the headstone records the name of the deceased and the song.

It is a bad day when one does not learn something new.

“They’ll tell you dead men hung there
Its black and bitter fruit
To guard the buried treasure
Round which it twines its root
They’ll tell you Cromwell hung them
But that could never be
He’d be in dread like others
To touch the Fairy Tree “

“From moonrise round the thorn tree
The little people play
And men and women passing
Will turn their heads away
But if your heart’s a child’s heart
And if your eyes are clean
You’ll never fear the thorn tree
That grows beyond Clogheen”
Temple Lane

Finding A Lost Séamus Murphy

27/7/2020

Maybe Not Lost Lost – Just Lost In Plain Sight

Shanrahan Cemetery – Part 2

Those of you who drop by here regularly will be well aware of my appreciation of and interest in the work of the Cork Sculptor, Séamus Murphy.

The book published by the Crawford Art Gallery continues to be a source for some detours on my various journeys to visit his headstones, statues or plaques that I have not yet photpgraphed and touched – touching of stonework, especially headstones, is very important.

The book does not list any headstone in Clogheen or Shanrahan. It makes no reference to Edward Sackville-West.

When in Shanrahan last week, I decided to look out for headstones, the subject of Photo Requests on the Find-A-Grave website. Three requests proved elusive. William Wade was spotted close to the O’Callaghan mausoleum.

The date of death of 1965 suggested that the headstone of Edward Sackville-West would be easily found in the new part of the cemetery and it was. His Find-A-Grave biography does read of an interesting life.

That evening I met P.J. and his lady wife who were out for a stroll and advised that they understood that Edward was descended from the family that gave its name to Sackville Street – now O’Connell St. in Dublin. The referred me to a book by local historian Ed O’Riordan – Lonely Little God’s Acre on Shanrahan cemetery which has now been requested through the Inter-Library Loan.

On a Tuesday evening, outside Clogheen in County Tipperary, I was smiling broadly once the carver’s name was spotted. The headstone was admired, and touched.

The Timing Of Commemoration

26/7/2020

Earlier this week, a long day’s work after an early start finished in Cahir just after five and I decided to treat myself to a Supertramp evening – I took the Long Way Home , the road not previously travelled.

I have recently started putting my ‘To Visit’ locations on a Google Map so that it is easier to cross-check diversions and distractions when time may permit on a journey.

I recently learned of Fr. Nicholas Sheehy via Tipperary Studies on Twitter. He was hung drawn and quartered in Clonmel in 1766 and buried in Shanrahan Cemetery, outside Clogheen in Co. Tipperary where he is also remembered with a monument outside the church and in the name of the local GAA Club – An t-Athair Sithigh.

Fr. Sheehy’s grave is in a reasonably prominent position in the graveyard – a double grave adjacent to the old church, shared with Rev. Dr. James Glison.

It is interesting to note that the plaque was erected in 1898, the centenary year of the 1798 rebellion and 132 years after his death. The tomb conservation was in 2013. The final project of my Local History course is on remembrance and commemoration – the To Do list not contains questions:

why the delay in commemoration
were there no 1798 local heroes to commemorate at the centenary in 1898
why 2013 for the conservation works?
When was GAA Club formed?

As ever, some knowledge leads to more questions.

Remembering Mary Kate O’Leary

18/5/2020

From Old Kilcrumper Cemetery outside Fermoy.

I have seen many headstones with references to I.R.A., Old I.R.A. and Volunteers but I think I can only recall one with reference to Cumann na mBan.

I suspect there will be time spent checking photographs of other cemeteries as lockdown continues.

The Gun Runner, The Hermit of The Glen & The Priest’s Car

21/4/2020

Today, there were a number of tweets to remember that on this day in 1916, Roger Casement landed at Banna Strand in Co. Kerry having travelled on The Aud with arms for the planned rebellion of Easter 1916. He was arrested shortly after landing and became the last of the ’16 Men Dead’ when executed in Pentonville Prison in August.

This reminded me of the remnannts of an old and very small cottage that I spotted when travelling the roads around Ballymacelligott, a few years ago. I saw a fingerpost sign for the Captain Monteith 1916 Memorial and went searching.