Tombstone erected by Francis O'Neill in memory of his parents.
On a recent visit to West Cork, I had the fortune to properly exploreTralibane and the surrounding area. I was bowled over by the hospitality of the people there, especially Mrs. Wilcox of the Francis O'Neill Memorial Committee, who provided me with lots of insight into the O'Neill history and landmarks.
I was surprised to learn that O'Neill had erected a tombstone in his parents' memory in nearby Caheragh cemetery. This must have been in 1906 on his first proper visit home (with his wife Anna) after retiring as chief of police. The inscription reads:
Erected By
Captain Daniel Francis O'Neill
Chicago, USA
To the Memory of his Parents
John O'Neill of Tralibane
Died Nov 1867 Aged 66 Years
And
Catherine O'Mahoney [Obscured]
Died 1900 Aged 88 Years
Requiescant In Pace
Amen
Today, the graveyard is a quiet place with some headstones in poor condition. In places, as you can see in the picture above, there are only grass-covered mounds left to mark the graves. Here is a fine version of the somber tune 'The Grassy Green Pillow' from the O'Neill collection. It is played by Franz Sanger and Susan Frances.
The Grassy Green Pillow -- An Emigrant's Memorial to His Parents
by Ronan O'Driscoll
Oct 13, 2019
Tombstone erected by Francis O'Neill in memory of his parents.
On a recent visit to West Cork, I had the fortune to properly explore Tralibane and the surrounding area. I was bowled over by the hospitality of the people there, especially Mrs. Wilcox of the Francis O'Neill Memorial Committee, who provided me with lots of insight into the O'Neill history and landmarks.
I was surprised to learn that O'Neill had erected a tombstone in his parents' memory in nearby Caheragh cemetery. This must have been in 1906 on his first proper visit home (with his wife Anna) after retiring as chief of police. The inscription reads:
Today, the graveyard is a quiet place with some headstones in poor condition. In places, as you can see in the picture above, there are only grass-covered mounds left to mark the graves. Here is a fine version of the somber tune 'The Grassy Green Pillow' from the O'Neill collection. It is played by Franz Sanger and Susan Frances.
Cross post from The Chief O'Neill Blog.