Triangular Station, Dublin

Between 1829 and 1842 the island of Ireland was mapped in great detail. The British did this in order to collect their taxes more efficiently. They got their measurements from these stone structures. This example is to be seen at The Hell Fire Club in the Dublin Mountains.

Starving German Children 1945-47

The Saarbruecken Cecilien School greets the Irish donors.

I came across this colourful handmade book on a recent visit to the residence of the German ambassador here in Dublin. The author is unknown but it is known to be the work of German school Children from Saarbruecken and dates from 1946. The heartfelt letters are in gratitude to the Irish people who delivered food parcels to the starving German children. Postwar Germany was  a country in chaos with food shortages. It was also an unsafe place for children as so much dangerous war equipment was lying around.  Approximately 800 German children also arrived in Ireland at this time about whom I wrote in Fadó Fadó More Tales of Lesser- Known Irish History

The child writing the above letter describes how  everything was lacking after the war. They were faint from hunger and weak at the knees. Then the Irish donation came at the right time.

Kirwan Vault at Kilbannon, County Galway

I am always acutely aware when I write about historic graveyards that I only scratch the surface and am always glad of any additional information people can provide. I was recently contacted by Michael Kirwan whose family are interred in Kilbannon, close to Tuam. The Kirwans were one of the tribes of Galway who fled the city during the Cromwellian upheaval of 1653. Their burial ground prior to this was at the back of the Franciscan abbey on Francis Street in Galway City.  The vault seems to date from 1820, though the entrance is covered by an earlier Kirwan gravestone.

Lord have mercy on the soul of Honoria Kirwan and family who departed this life 27^th August 1798 aged 80

Branding Iron

Below is a link to a picture of a branding iron used in North East Galway. Some of the farmers still used the symbol of the landlord, decades after the Big House had vanished. This particular one bears the letter R, signifying the farmer Ruane.  

https://field-monuments.galwaycommunityheritage.org/content/archaeology/ruane-branding-iron-dunmore

 

St Patrick's Church, Duleek County Meath

The original church in Duleek was founded by St Cianán in the 5th century. The village name Duleek itself is believed to come from the Irish for stone church. The ruin we see today dates from around the 13th century. Unfortunately, when I visited there was a group of teenagers up to no good in the graveyard. The local community should provide alternatives for them. The adjacent Church of Ireland church is now a restaurant.

Malahide Abbey

Malahide Abbey, North County Dublin. Inside the abbey is a late medieval tomb, the 15th century resting place of Maud Plunkett. Access to the abbey is frowned upon. Access to the grounds is free of charge.