grave inscription

MOUNT ST LAWRENCE CEMETERY IN LIMERICK CITY

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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.

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