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MEMORIAL TO THREE PRIESTS FEATURING LATIN INSCRIPTIONS

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MOUNT ST LAWRENCE CEMETERY IN LIMERICK CITY

This really caught my attention but I had serious problems with lens flare, because the lens was wet because it rained just as I arrived, and it took a lot of effort and time to process the images to the stage that they could be published.

This memorial features a fascinating inscription! It commemorates three priests, likely brothers, with impressive careers. Here’s a breakdown of the Latin and abbreviations, along with a translation. I’ve kept the original line breaks to preserve the inscription’s structure.

Translation and Notes

Rmo. Timothero Shanahan / Eccl. sancti munchini parocho, diaec. limericien. Decano. Et vicario generali. / Qui fortitudinem, in juribus summi pontificis propugnando, / Et fidelitatem, in omni munere sacerdotali obeundo; testificatus. / Tandem, longinquitudine dierum, meritus, et virtutibus repletus. / Obdormivit in domino / xiv maii mcmxv, anno lxxxix suae aetatis et lix sacri presbyteratus / R.I.P. / Hoc monumentum, frates devotissimi, fieri fecerunt.

Rmo. – Reverendissimo (Most Reverend)
Eccl. – Ecclesiae (of the Church)
sancti munchini – (of Saint Munchin – likely a church in Limerick)
parocho – parish priest
diaec. – dioecesis (diocese)
limericien. – Limiricensis (of Limerick)
Decano – Dean
vicario generali – vicar general
Qui fortitudinem…propugnando – Who showed strength in defending the rights of the Supreme Pontiff,
Et fidelitatem…obeundo – and faithfulness in fulfilling every priestly duty; having testified (to these).
Tandem…repletus – At last, by the length of his days, deserving, and full of virtues,
Obdormivit in domino – he fell asleep in the Lord
xiv maii mcmxv – 14th of May 1915
anno lxxxix suae aetatis – in the 89th year of his age
lix sacri presbyteratus – and the 59th year of his sacred priesthood
R.I.P. – Requiescat In Pace (May he rest in peace)
Hoc monumentum…fecerunt – His most devoted brothers had this monument made.
Rev. Dionysio R. Shanahan / Qui in hac dice: per quinquaginta an[nos] strenue / Sancteque administrvit. Per multos an[nos] ut fidelis / Pastor parcecias de Askeaton st[sic] pat[ri] et stae[sic] / Mariae: in urbe: multo cum fructu rexit. Laboribus / Tandem infirmitatibusque confectus. novissima / quo securius provideret onus pastorale. maerens / Abdicavit. sagr[is] eccl[esiae] sacramentis munitis / Pie in domino requievit / Natus 1845 Presby: 1868 Mort 1924. / R.I.P.

Rev. – Reverendus (Reverend)
dice[cesi] – diocese
quinquaginta an[nos] – fifty years
strenue / Sancteque administrvit – he diligently and holily administered.
Per multos an[nos] ut fidelis / Pastor – For many years as a faithful pastor
parcecias de Askeaton – the parish of Askeaton
st[sic] pat[ri] et stae[sic] Mariae – [of] Saint Patrick and Saint Mary (likely churches within the parish)
in urbe – in the city
multo cum fructu rexit – he ruled with much fruit (success).
Laboribus / Tandem infirmitatibusque confectus – Worn out at last by labors and infirmities,
novissima / quo securius provideret onus pastorale – to provide more securely for the pastoral office in his last days,
maerens / Abdicavit – grieving, he resigned.
sagr[is] eccl[esiae] sacramentis munitis – fortified with the sacred sacraments of the Church,
Pie in domino requievit – he piously rested in the Lord.
Natus 1845 – Born 1845
Presby: 1868 – Ordained (Presbyter) 1868
Mort 1924 – Died 1924
Rmo. Giraldo Augustino Shanahan, / Ecll. S. Patrici Apud Thornaby-on-Tees. / Parocho. / Diae. Medioburg. Candnico, Ecrecia[sic] ob / Merita Titulo / Praelati domestico A Pio P.X ornato, / Qui. In comit. / Linerici Natus. In angl. Ann. Lui Pastor / Indefessus / Fideique catholicae intrepidus defensor, / Kal. Feb. A.D. MCMXIX. suae vero / Act. LXXIX. / Perculso crege ejus dolore incenti / Pie in Domino obdormivit. / R.I.P.

Ecll. – Ecclesiae (of the Church)
S. Patrici – Saint Patrick
Apud Thornaby-on-Tees – At Thornaby-on-Tees (location of the church)
Diae. – Dioecesis (Diocese)
Medioburg. – Middlesbrough
Candnico – Canon
Ecrecia[sic] ob / Merita Titulo – by the Church, on account of merit, with the title
Praelati domestico – Domestic Prelate
A Pio P.X ornato – decorated by Pope Pius X
Qui. In comit. – Who, in the county
Linerici Natus – of Limerick, born.
In angl. Ann. Lui Pastor – In England for many years a pastor
Indefessus – tireless
Fideique catholicae intrepidus defensor – and a fearless defender of the Catholic faith,
Kal. Feb. – Kalends of February (1st of February)
A.D. MCMXIX – A.D. 1919
suae vero / Act. LXXIX – in the 79th year of his age
Perculso crege ejus dolore incenti – his flock having been struck with grief at his loss,
Pie in Domino obdormivit – he piously fell asleep in the Lord.
Key Takeaways

This inscription honours three brothers who were all Catholic priests.
They served in various roles and locations (Limerick, Askeaton, Thornaby-on-Tees).
Their service was marked by dedication, faithfulness, and longevity.
The inscription highlights their virtues and accomplishments.
This translation and the notes should give you a good understanding of this detailed inscription.

Such a monument would have been a significant expense, especially in the early 20th century. While the inscription doesn’t explicitly state how it was funded, there are a few clues and possibilities:

“Fieri fecerunt” – “had it made”: This phrase, used in the inscription for Timothy Shanahan, suggests that the brothers commissioned and paid for the monument themselves. This is a common pattern with elaborate memorials, reflecting the family’s desire to honour their deceased relatives.

The brothers’ prominent positions: All three Shanahan brothers were high-ranking clergymen. Timothy was a Vicar General and Dean, Dionysius was a long-serving parish priest, and Gerald was a Canon and Domestic Prelate. These positions may have come with some financial resources or access to benefactors who could contribute.

Contributions from parishioners: It’s possible that parishioners, especially those in Askeaton where Dionysius served for 50 years, may have contributed to the monument out of respect and gratitude for their pastors. This was not unusual, particularly for beloved priests.

Combination of sources: Most likely, the funding came from a combination of the brothers’ own resources, contributions from family and friends, and perhaps donations from grateful parishioners.

Unfortunately, without further documentation (such as church records or family archives), it’s impossible to know the exact funding sources. However, the inscription and the brothers’ clerical careers provide some likely scenarios.

HOLY ROSARY CHURCH ON LA TOUCHE ROAD IN GREYSTONES

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PHOTOGRAPHED 15 DECEMBER 2023

I like the name La Touche Road on which this church is located.

Church of the Holy Rosary is a Roman Catholic Church located in the coastal town of Greystones in County Wicklow. Built between 1904 and 1906, the Church of the Holy Rosary Replaced a temporary church which was destroyed by a storm in 1903. W.H. Byrne designed the Church of the Holy Rosary in Romanesque Revival style. Greystones is a Parish in the Archdiocese of Dublin and Glendalough.

La Touche Road in Greystones is named after the La Touche family, a prominent Anglo-Irish family who were prominent landowners and bankers in Ireland. The La Touche family owned a large estate in Greystones, and the road was named after them when the town was developed in the mid-19th century.

The La Touche family can trace their lineage back to the 16th century, and they were involved in a number of businesses, including banking, landholding, and manufacturing. The La Touche Bank was one of the most important banks in Ireland during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The La Touche family’s involvement in the development of Greystones can be seen in a number of ways. The La Touche family donated land for the construction of St. Patrick’s Church, and they also built the La Touche Hotel. The La Touche Hotel was a grand hotel that was located on Trafalgar Road, and it was a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

The La Touche family’s legacy is still visible in Greystones today. La Touche Road is a major road in the town, and the La Touche Hotel building has been converted into apartments. The La Touche family’s name is also remembered in the names of a number of other streets and landmarks in Greystones.

ST COLUMBA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH

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CHURCH LANE IN DOUGLAS VILLAGE CORK

There are a small number of graves of clergy within the churchyard but many visitors believe that the two cemeteries, Douglas Cemetery and St Luke’s Church Of Ireland cemetery, nearby as associated with the church but they are not. I have photographed both cemeteries.

The current Saint Columba’s is a well-maintained example of a nineteenth-century Roman Catholic church. It retains its historic form along with much of its early fabric. Quality craftsmanship is evident externally in the lattice windows and render finishes, and internally with the stained glass, fine carving and decorated apse. The decorative interior contrasts with the more simple exterior of the building. Sited adjacent to the former national school, the two form a group which has played a significant role in the local social fabric. St Columba’s was extended and refurbished in 1907 by Rev. Thomas McCullagh, who spent £1,200 on the works. These included lengthening and re-roofing the building, adding a gallery and new lead glass windows. A non-Catholic, Captain Cooper (Ballinrea House) gave generously to the Catholic parish church. A stained glass window made by Watsons of Youghal was donated in memory of John Morrogh, owner of Douglas Woollen Mills and former Nationalist MP. The church was last modernised and refurbished in 1999. The present-day interior, with its Romanesque-style decoration, dates from this time.

The first known mention of Douglas is in an inquisition on the lands of Gerald de Prendergast in 1251, and in a 1291 taxation document which records the lands as being an appurtenance of the Church of Bauvier. It is alternately listed as “Duffelglasse” and “Duglasse” in 1302 and 1306, respectively, as part of the parish of Carrigaline. In the year 1603, it became one of the liberties of Cork City. In 1615, parochial records mention the chapel of Douglas being laid waste, reportedly due to theft of the foundation stones, and in a 1700 entry of the same records it is mentioned that the ruined chapel in question had been the church of Carrigaline parish for a century prior to the construction of a new church in Carrigaline itself.[By the mid-seventeenth century, it had a population of 308 people (of whom 33 were English) and consisted of a number of large farms.

Douglas was made a separate Roman Catholic parish sometime before 1768. St Columba’s (Roman Catholic) church was built in 1814 by the Rev. Thomas Barry, according to local legend using the stones of the ruined castle of Castletreasure. A Douglas “Chapel of Ease” to the Church of Ireland parish of Carrigaline was established on 17 September 1786, with the establishment of a full separate parish in February 1875. In 1855, the Protestant population of the parish was reported as having been 310, with 150 children attending the parish school. The 1785 church was rebuilt and reconsecrated on 27 August 1875 as St Luke’s church, however, following the death of the resident Canon in 1886, as well as the principal architect, the church remained without a spire until 1889, with the church bell and tower clock donated by Mary Reeves of Tramore House, with the stipulation that the clock face towards her front door. Notable parishioners interred at St Luke’s include the poet Richard Alfred Milliken and librarian Richard Caulfield; in addition, a plaque was erected in the memory of art collector Sir Hugh Lane, deceased in the sinking of the Lusitania. The nearby parish of St Finbar’s opened a chapel of ease in Frankfield in 1838, later known as the Holy Trinity, on ground donated by Samuel Lane. An additional graveyard, located on Carr’s Hill, was opened in 1848 on land donated by the Master of the Workhouse, George Carr, to deal with the increase in deaths from the Great Famine.

In the 2011 census, the percentage of Irish nationals living in Douglas was 88.8%. UK nationals accounted for 1.7%; Polish nationals 3.2%; Lithuanians 0.6%; other EU nationals 2.1%; other nationals 2.9%; and 0.7% did not state their nationality.[

In the 2016 census, 78.6% of residents of the Douglas electoral division identified as Catholic, 8% were members of other religions, 12% had no religion and less than 1% did not state a religion. In the same census, 86.2% of electoral division residents identified as white Irish, 8.3% were other whites, 1% were black, 1.7% Asian or Asian Irish, 1.4% were of other ethnicities, and 1% did not state an ethnicity.

INTERIOR OF CHRIST THE KING CHURCH AT TURNER’S CROSS

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LIGHTING WAS TOO LOW SO I WAS DISAPPOINTED BY THE IMAGES

VIEW CHURCH EXTERIOR

This was, more or less, my first real opportunity to us my Sony A7RIV which I purchased in September 2019 and I was still only learning how to use it.

Because of Covid-19 restrictions I was unable to gain access to churches during this visit to Cork City but this was the exception but the lighting was so low that it was close to impossible to photograph the interior with the equipment that I had. However as the best camera is the one that you have with you I did my best. I did intend to return later in the week, with a different lens and a flash, but because of weather conditions I did not get the opportunity to revisit. It should be mentioned that I do not like using flash lighting.

Christ The King Church is a Catholic church in the Turners Cross area of Cork City, Ireland. It was designed by the American architect Barry Byrne and built between 1929 and 1931. The church is a fine example of 20th-century ecclesiastical architecture, and is considered to be one of Byrne’s most important works.

The church is built in a simplified Hiberno-Romanesque style, with a long nave and a short transept. The exterior is made of limestone, and the interior is decorated with marble and mosaics. The most striking feature of the church is the large statue of Christ the King, which stands at the entrance. The statue was designed by the American sculptor John Storrs.

John Henry Bradley Storrs (June 25, 1885 – April 26, 1956), also known as John Bradley Storrs and John H. Storrs, was an American modernist sculptor best remembered for his art deco sculptures that examined the relationship between architecture and sculpture

Storrs was born in Chicago in 1885, son of architect D.W. Storrs. In 1905, he traveled to Berlin to study singing, but he soon decided to become a sculptor. He studied with Lorado Taft at the Art Institute of Chicago, with Bela Pratt at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and with Charles Grafly at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. By 1911, he was living in Paris, where he studied with Auguste Rodin and also attended the Académie Julian. He gradually moved from representational sculpture and wood engravings to the machine-like sculptures for which he is best known.

During his time in France, Storrs became friends with Jacques Lipchitz. In 1914, Storrs married the novelist and writer Marguerite Deville Chabrol and started dividing his time between France and the United States. In the 1930s, Storrs turned to abstract painting that often suggested the human figure. During World War II Storrs was twice arrested and imprisoned by the German occupation forces. After being released, he returned to his studio in Mer, France, and worked and lived there until his death in 1956.

ST PATRICK’S CATHOLIC CHURCH IN TRIM

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COUNTY MEATH CHRISTMAS 2016

Saint Patrick’s is a Gothic Revival church set in landscaped grounds which sweep down from Patrick Street towards the grounds of Trim Castle. Designed by William Hague, architectural quality is apparent in the scale, form, features and materials. The combination of the rock-faced rubble limestone and ashlar dressings provide interesting textural detail. The artistic execution of the carved detailing on the exterior and the interior features, such as the mosaics, reredos and the stained glass windows, compliment and enhance this imposing church. The interior of the church is ornamented by Celtic mosaics, a white marble reredos by Pearse and Sons, side alters and communion rail by W.H. Byrne and stained glass windows depicting the crucifixion and the history of Trim.

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