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Irish Times
7 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Irish Times
Philanderer Daniel O'Connell lies in a hero's grave, his wife Mary in an overgrown tomb
Sun-bathers lolling in their swimwear on Derrynane Beach occasionally witness the incongruous sight of funeral mourners walking behind a lofted coffin along the water's edge. The procession terminates on Abbey Island, a small, sandy burial ground that can only be reached when the tide permits. Here lie the mortal remains of Mary O'Connell in a tomb of cracking stone slabs and invading weeds. The words inscribed on the top are no longer legible to the visiting eye. Above the beach in Derrynane House, tourists from far and wide marvel at the legacy of Mary's husband, Daniel , the Liberator revered for his monster rallies and Catholic emancipation. Most people leave the Kerry estate unaware that the serene woman in a portrait hanging in the diningroom – the wife who bore his dozen children and joined him on a speaking tour to quell a scandal about his infidelity to her – lies nearby in a mouldering grave. Mary was laid to rest with Daniel's people in the family graveyard on the Atlantic shore when she died, aged 58, 11 years before her famous husband. Almost a five-hour drive away in Dublin's Glasnevin Cemetery , he shares his ornate crypt with other family members. The crypt, which was refurbished with new marble in 2009, is marked by the 55m (180ft) O'Connell Tower, built in homage to the barrister, campaigner, MP and founder of the Dublin Cemeteries Committee. After the tower was refurbished seven years ago and opened to the public , Paschal Donohoe, the Minister for Finance, performed the official ribbon-cutting. Ireland has shown due respect to a giant of its history. The main street in the capital city is named in honour of Daniel O'Connell. So is Limerick's main street. Cork and Waterford have an O'Connell street too. There is an O'Connell monument and an O'Connell Bridge. There are O'Connell schools. As his 250th birthday approaches on August 6th, there have been calls for the renaming of Kerry Airport to Daniel O'Connell Airport. His home on the Iveragh peninsula is a national monument maintained by the OPW . Though it was home to his wife too, try mentioning Mary O'Connell to most anyone and the likely response will be 'Mary who?' READ MORE She was the child of a mixed marriage. Her Catholic mother, Ellen Tuohy, married a widowed Protestant called Thomas O'Connell, through whom Mary was distantly related to her future husband. Daniel stood to inherit the expansive house and estate in Derrynane from his bachelor uncle Maurice 'Hunting Cap' O'Connell but because of a stipulation that he should marry a woman with a dowry, the couple kept their romance secret, even living apart after their marriage in 1802 to maintain the pretence. They were obliged to come clean following the birth of their first child. Mary O'Connell's tomb in Derrynane Abbey. Photograph: Breeding became as intrinsic to Mary's life as breathing. Despite Daniel's adultery early in their marriage, she bore 12 children, six of whom survived beyond birth and childhood, and suffered a number of miscarriages. She was pregnant every year for the first eight years of marriage, and twice in 1810 when she gave birth in February and December. As well as rearing the children in the increasing absence of a husband on the court circuit and campaign trail, Mary was the chatelaine of a house regarded as the HQ of Ireland's unofficial chieftain. At Derrynane House, she received international statesmen and royals seeking meetings with her husband. She, literally and metaphorically, kept the home fires burning in a house that now generates revenue for the State. It featured as one of Ireland's greatest historic properties in the first episode of the current RTÉ series, Legacy. Perhaps the OPW could make an offer to O'Connell's descendants to restore and maintain it. The extent of work required does not seem expensive – certainly not as expensive as a bike shelter for Leinster House Relentless pregnancy, short-term economic exile in France with her children because of Daniel's extravagant spending and the stress of publicity about his marital indiscretions likely contributed to Mary O'Connell's poor health and early death. Her biographer, Erin I Bishop, records Mary's trip accompanying her husband on a political tour of the English midlands to offset negative press about his alleged 'illegitimate' son. Not only was she married to a Westminster MP but she was the mother of four others as all of her sons went on to represent six Irish constituencies in the London parliament. Daniel O'Connell's 250th birthday is the sole occasion for State commemoration this year that is listed in the programme for government. Preparations are under way for a host of events in Kerry and nationally, including a symposium in Trinity College in July and the annual commemorative lecture in Glasnevin. Meanwhile, Mary lies forgotten in the weathered tomb she shares with Maurice Hunting Cap. Paul Ryan, a retired tour guide from Waterford, has been campaigning for the restoration of Mary's resting place. After a visit last month, he reported that mortar needs to be replaced, the stone cleaned, the weeds removed and the inscription renewed. [ O'Connell Tower in Glasnevin reopens 47 years after bomb blast Opens in new window ] The OPW is not responsible for the burial ground in the monastic ruins on Abbey Island but perhaps it could make an offer to O'Connell's descendants to restore and maintain it. The extent of work required does not seem expensive – certainly not as expensive as a bike shelter for Leinster House. Or maybe the Glasnevin Trust, which keeps the crypt and tower in tip-top condition, could play a part in honouring the grave of the Liberator's wife. It was Daniel's often-quoted dying wish that his heart would go to Rome, his body to Ireland and his soul to heaven. He did not add 'and my wife to the vagaries of Atlantic storms and an amnesiac nation'. Despite his early marital philandering, the couple reputedly settled into a loving partnership. The neglect of Mary's grave is a metaphor for the continual airbrushing of women out of Irish history. After the centenary of the Easter Rising and all the political promises in 2016 that the Elizabeth O'Farrells of this island – the nurse selected by Patrick Pearse to carry his message seeking negotiations to end hostilities and subsequently wiped from the history – would never again be forgotten, here we go again. There is a sexist old saying that, in Mary O'Connell's case, bears repeating. Behind every great man is a great woman. We should respect her memory, lest we forget.
Irish Times
7 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Irish Times
This lonely, overgrown tomb of cracked stone is a metaphor for Irish attitudes to women in history
Sun-bathers lolling in their swimwear on Derrynane Beach occasionally witness the incongruous sight of funeral mourners walking behind a lofted coffin along the water's edge. The procession terminates on Abbey Island, a small, sandy burial ground that can only be reached when the tide permits. Here lie the mortal remains of Mary O'Connell in a tomb of cracking stone slabs and invading weeds. The words inscribed on the top are no longer legible to the visiting eye. Above the beach in Derrynane House, tourists from far and wide marvel at the legacy of Mary's husband, Daniel , the Liberator revered for his monster rallies and Catholic emancipation. Most people leave the Kerry estate unaware that the serene woman in a portrait hanging in the diningroom – the wife who bore his dozen children and joined him on a speaking tour to quell a scandal about his infidelity to her – lies nearby in a mouldering grave. Mary was laid to rest with Daniel's people in the family graveyard on the Atlantic shore when she died, aged 58, 11 years before her famous husband. Almost a five-hour drive away in Dublin's Glasnevin Cemetery , he shares his ornate crypt with other family members. The crypt, which was refurbished with new marble in 2009, is marked by the 55m (180ft) O'Connell Tower, built in homage to the barrister, campaigner, MP and founder of the Dublin Cemeteries Committee. After the tower was refurbished seven years ago and opened to the public , Paschal Donohoe, the Minister for Finance, performed the official ribbon-cutting. Ireland has shown due respect to a giant of its history. The main street in the capital city is named in honour of Daniel O'Connell. So is Limerick's main street. Cork and Waterford have an O'Connell street too. There is an O'Connell monument and an O'Connell Bridge. There are O'Connell schools. As his 250th birthday approaches on August 6th, there have been calls for the renaming of Kerry Airport to Daniel O'Connell Airport. His home on the Iveragh peninsula is a national monument maintained by the OPW . Though it was home to his wife too, try mentioning Mary O'Connell to most anyone and the likely response will be 'Mary who?' READ MORE She was the child of a mixed marriage. Her Catholic mother, Ellen Tuohy, married a widowed Protestant called Thomas O'Connell, through whom Mary was distantly related to her future husband. Daniel stood to inherit the expansive house and estate in Derrynane from his bachelor uncle Maurice 'Hunting Cap' O'Connell but because of a stipulation that he should marry a woman with a dowry, the couple kept their romance secret, even living apart after their marriage in 1802 to maintain the pretence. They were obliged to come clean following the birth of their first child. Mary O'Connell's tomb in Derrynane Abbey. Photograph: Breeding became as intrinsic to Mary's life as breathing. Despite Daniel's adultery early in their marriage, she bore 12 children, six of whom survived beyond birth and childhood, and suffered a number of miscarriages. She was pregnant every year for the first eight years of marriage, and twice in 1810 when she gave birth in February and December. As well as rearing the children in the increasing absence of a husband on the court circuit and campaign trail, Mary was the chatelaine of a house regarded as the HQ of Ireland's unofficial chieftain. At Derrynane House, she received international statesmen and royals seeking meetings with her husband. She, literally and metaphorically, kept the home fires burning in a house that now generates revenue for the State. It featured as one of Ireland's greatest historic properties in the first episode of the current RTÉ series, Legacy. Perhaps the OPW could make an offer to O'Connell's descendants to restore and maintain it. The extent of work required does not seem expensive – certainly not as expensive as a bike shelter for Leinster House Relentless pregnancy, short-term economic exile in France with her children because of Daniel's extravagant spending and the stress of publicity about his marital indiscretions likely contributed to Mary O'Connell's poor health and early death. Her biographer, Erin I Bishop, records Mary's trip accompanying her husband on a political tour of the English midlands to offset negative press about his alleged 'illegitimate' son. Not only was she married to a Westminster MP but she was the mother of four others as all of her sons went on to represent six Irish constituencies in the London parliament. Daniel O'Connell's 250th birthday is the sole occasion for State commemoration this year that is listed in the programme for government. Preparations are under way for a host of events in Kerry and nationally, including a symposium in Trinity College in July and the annual commemorative lecture in Glasnevin. Meanwhile, Mary lies forgotten in the weathered tomb she shares with Maurice Hunting Cap. Paul Ryan, a retired tour guide from Waterford, has been campaigning for the restoration of Mary's resting place. After a visit last month, he reported that mortar needs to be replaced, the stone cleaned, the weeds removed and the inscription renewed. [ O'Connell Tower in Glasnevin reopens 47 years after bomb blast Opens in new window ] The OPW is not responsible for the burial ground in the monastic ruins on Abbey Island but perhaps it could make an offer to O'Connell's descendants to restore and maintain it. The extent of work required does not seem expensive – certainly not as expensive as a bike shelter for Leinster House. Or maybe the Glasnevin Trust, which keeps the crypt and tower in tip-top condition, could play a part in honouring the grave of the Liberator's wife. It was Daniel's often-quoted dying wish that his heart would go to Rome, his body to Ireland and his soul to heaven. He did not add 'and my wife to the vagaries of Atlantic storms and an amnesiac nation'. Despite his early marital philandering, the couple reputedly settled into a loving partnership. The neglect of Mary's grave is a metaphor for the continual airbrushing of women out of Irish history. After the centenary of the Easter Rising and all the political promises in 2016 that the Elizabeth O'Farrells of this island – the nurse selected by Patrick Pearse to carry his message seeking negotiations to end hostilities and subsequently wiped from the history – would never again be forgotten, here we go again. There is a sexist old saying that, in Mary O'Connell's case, bears repeating. Behind every great man is a great woman. We should respect her memory, lest we forget.
Belfast Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Support for Irish membership of EU at lowest level since 2013, poll suggests
However, the annual European Movement Ireland poll still found strong backing for Ireland's membership of the EU at 82%. The research also suggested that 43% across Ireland do not believe their views are represented at EU level. The all-island poll conducted into European affairs by Amarach Research is now in its 12th year. The survey found that 34% respondents feel the EU is not upholding its core values and 26% are dissatisfied with its direction. The research also found that 36% of respondents are dissatisfied with Ireland's role and influence in Brussels. Noelle O Connell, chief executive of European Movement Ireland, said: 'It is encouraging to see strong support for EU membership in Ireland, albeit a decline on recent years. 'In our 12th year of polling, it is clear that we cannot be complacent, with some people expressing dissatisfaction with the EU's current trajectory and Irish influence at EU level. 'At a pivotal time in European politics with intensifying efforts to end the war in Ukraine, the ongoing issues relating to EU-US trade which could have serious implications for Ireland, and the increasing influence of populism, among other issues, it is important citizens feel their views are heard across all levels of the EU.' More than half of respondents (56%) cited cost of living as the most pressing issue for people in the Republic of Ireland, along with housing (41%) and migration (53%). The poll suggested EU-US relations (44%); the EU's response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict (43%) and to the Israel-Palestine conflict (41%) were also prominent concerns. Respondents in Northern Ireland cited the Israel-Palestine conflict as their top concern at EU level (52%). Half of those polled in the Republic of Ireland believe the state should be part of increased EU defence and security co-operation, with 32% opposing it and 18% unsure. Ms O Connell said: 'This year's poll clearly shows that Irish people are worried about both domestic and global issues, from the cost of living and housing to EU-US relations and the EU's response to migration and international conflicts. 'As the debate on the future of Europe's security and defence continues, building trust, dialogue and understanding around this complex issue is more important than ever.' The poll also suggested that a majority would support a united Ireland within the EU, with 67% in Northern Ireland and 62% in Ireland in favour. Opposition to a United Ireland in the EU is higher in Northern Ireland (27%) compared to the Republic of Ireland (16%). In Northern Ireland, a majority (60%) believe changes in the EU-UK relationship following Brexit have not improved the region's relationship with the EU. Amarach Research was commissioned by the European Movement Ireland to undertake the survey on attitudes to the EU across the island of Ireland. It used a sample of 1,200 people aged 18 or over in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The data was collected online between March 26-28 and has a margin of error: +/- 2.5%.
RTÉ News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Support for Ireland's EU membership at lowest level since 2012, poll suggests
Support for Ireland's membership of the European Union has dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade, a new poll suggests. The survey conducted by Amárach Research, for the European Movement Ireland (EMI), suggests support fell from 93% in 2019 to 82% in 2025 - its lowest level since 2012. EMI said that while strong support for the EU remains consistent, 43% of those questioned do not believe their views are represented at EU level. That said, 47% of respondents are satisfied with the EU's direction. The poll suggested that 34% of people do not feel the EU is upholding its core values and 26% are dissatisfied with its direction. The key issues identified were the EU's response to migration (35%); and EU regulation (24%). Although some expressed dissatisfaction with EU militarisation (24%), 50% in the Republic believe Ireland should be part of increased EU defence and security cooperation. 32% of those questioned opposed such a move, 18% unsure. 36% of those questioned said they were dissatisfied with Ireland's influence in Brussels, at a time when Ireland remains underrepresented in EU institutions. Now in its twelfth year, the annual European Movement Ireland's EU 2025 poll is the only island of Ireland poll dedicated to European affairs. Its Chief Executive Noelle O'Connell said: "It is encouraging to see strong support for EU membership in Ireland, albeit a decline on recent years." "It is clear that we cannot be complacent, with some people expressing dissatisfaction with the EU's current trajectory and Irish influence at EU level," she added. Ms O Connell said it is important citizens feel their views are heard "across all levels of the EU" given the war in Ukraine, EU-US trade talks and what she termed "the increasing influence of populism". Polling of Republic of Ireland adults found that the cost of living, at 56%, was the most pressing issue - particularly for younger people. Other issues cited were migration (53%); EU-US relations (44%); the EU's response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict (43%); the Israel-Palestine conflict (41%); and housing (41%). Respondents in Northern Ireland cited the Israel-Palestine conflict as their top concern at EU level (52%). The poll suggests a majority of people on this island would support a United Ireland within the EU, with 67% support in Northern Ireland and 62% in the Republic in favour. Opposition to a United Ireland in the EU is higher in the North (27%) compared to the South (16%), while a higher proportion in the Republic (22%) say they don't know, in comparison to just (7%) in Northern Ireland. In the North a significant majority (60%) believe that changes in the EU-UK relationship following Brexit have not improved Northern Ireland's relationship with the EU, only 29% agree, while 11% remain unsure. In what is a noteworthy finding, there is a major decline in trust in institutions with a majority in Ireland (40%) and Northern Ireland (39%) stating they do not trust governing institutions, with only 30% in the Republic expressing trust in the EU and the Irish Government. Interestingly, in Ireland, almost half (49%) of 18-24 year olds trust the EU the most, and in Northern Ireland, the EU is the most trusted institution (29%), with the least level of trust (6%) expressed in the Northern Ireland Executive only marginally behind the UK government (7%).
