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Better late than never, I found this post in my drafts folder and thought I should post it.
11/9/2017 Thanks to Mr GeniAus for jumping out of our tour bus in the rain to photograph the Irish National Famine Memorial, a coffin ship, in Murrisk, Mayo.
"The National Famine Monument at the base of Croagh Patrick in Murrisk, County Mayo, Ireland depicts a coffin ship with skeletons and bones as rigging. Sculpted by John Behan, it is Ireland's largest bronze sculpture. The "Coffin Ship" was unveiled by then President of Ireland Mary Robinson in 1997 to mark the 150th anniversary of the Irish Famine." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffin_ship)
Some of my Irish ancestors left Ireland for New South Wales during the Great Famine. Visiting this site gave me an opportunity to reflect on the challenges they faced on their brave and arduous journeys.
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| Upclose to the sculpture |
"A coffin ship (Irish: long cónra) is a popular idiom used to describe the ships that carried Irish migrants escaping the Great Irish Famine and Highlanders displaced by the Highland Clearances.[1]" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffin_ship
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| Graham and Jill |
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| The public area of the Archive |
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| Entry Foyer |
Driving through Italy we passed through the Tonale Pass. Apparently in winter this place is buzzing with the snow lovers who flock to the area to participate in snow sports. When we visited in autumn the place was deserted, there was a chill in the air but not a snowflake in sight.
We made a stop there for a refreshment break and more importantly to pay our respects to those Italian military from the First World War memorialised at the Sacrario militare del Tonale. It was a sobering visit as we reflected on the loss of lives in all countries affected by war.
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| The building is right on the highway |
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| The remains of many men rest inside the building |
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| Perhaps occasional services are held in the building |
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| A niche in the external wall |
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| Information was displayed in English |
I was able to indulge my interest in taphophilia when we visited the ancient city of Side in Turkey tis week.
The museum at the site had an impressive collection of very old sarcophagi. I used Canva to create a postcard of just a few.
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| The Catholic Clergyman's Residence is being restored |
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| If only I could travel back in time and visit Michael here |
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| View from the lookout |
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| The Catholic Chapel (now demolished) where Michael would have worked and worshipped |
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| Site of the Catholic Chapel near the gaol |
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| This could be a scene from 1850 |
It just so happened that Brompton Cemetery's Open Day was scheduled during our post-cruise days in London. We were definitely meant to visit that cemetery! On Sunday 17th July, a hot day in London, a bus from near our hotel in Kensington dropped us at the cemetery gates.
As we had theatre tickets for a 3pm matinee in the West End we didn't have time to dawdle around the cemetery or do the tour of the catacombs but we managed to spend a few hours wandering around this historic site. Of course we took many photos. You may recognise the cemetery from the Rowan Atkinson film "Johnny English"
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| Organised by Friends of the Cemetery |
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| Impressive Entrance |
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| Crucifixes were in abundance |
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| While the plots around the main avenues were visible those in many areas were covered in weeds/natural vegetation. Apparently they receive annual maintenance. |
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| Catacombs in background |
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| A Simple Grave |
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| Military Man's Grave |
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| Grave of John Jackson, Prize Fighter |
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| Newer graves. Burial spaces are still available on this 39 acre site |
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| Vintage hearse on display |
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| There are many magnificent monuments |
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| Locals are encouraged to use the cemetery for recreation but are warned "Please do not feed the birds and animals, it causes more harm than good." |
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| Grave of Frederick Leyland, Ship Owner https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/brompton-cemetery/explore-brompton-cemetery/famous-graves-and-burials/frederick-leyland |
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| A peek inside the catacombs |
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| The Dome of the Chapel. Unfortunately there was an art exhibition in the chapel so we couldn't appreciate the architecture. |
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| Commonwealth War Graves area is mown. Thanks to CWGC? |
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| There is a number of impressive mausoleums scattered through the cemetery grounds |
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| A unique memorial |
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| Headstones among the trees |
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| Stalls along the majestic Central Avenue detracted from the atmosphere |
Outside the Cobh Heritage Centre in Ireland we spotted this monument to Annie Moore.
I thought of my convict ancestors Patrick Curry and Ellen Moore when I came across this monument. Although their emigration was forced they would have had similar thoughts to other emigrants as they sailed away from their homeland.
Perhaps Annie was related to my Ellen!
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| St Lukes, Old Street |
While our current holiday is not a geneajourney we will probably visit a few genealogy related sites like the odd cemetery (or two or more!).
Being mindful of not contracting Covid before our cruise we are spending a fair amount of time walking in the open air away from crowds. Today's walk took us past some interesting sites as we made our way to a Covid Testing Centre to be tested prior to our cruise.
As we toddled along I spotted a sign to the Bunhill Fields so we took a tiny detour. The former burial ground is situated in a mostly residential area and provides a peaceful space for passive recreation.
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| Welcome sign |
It didn't take us long to traverse Bunhill Fields, a relatively small site that runs between two streets. Of course I managed to take a few pics as we strolled down the main path.
The information boards related the history of the cemetery and provided a useful map.
As is the case with several old London cemeteries the areas around the graves is rather overgrown but the paths through the cemetery are wide and clear.
The graves of some more prominent residents were accessible.
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| John Bunyan's tomb |
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| Inscription on Bunyan's tomb |
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| Defoe Monument |
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| Daniel Defoe Inscription |
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| More on Defoe |
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| A William Blake inscription |
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| William Blake lies here? |
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| A space for reflection |
