Skibbereen
May 1847
‘IS IT TRUE, FATHER?’ BRIDEY ASKED, RUSHING INTO THE ROOM. ‘IS IT true that he is dead?’
Father John nodded solemnly, deeply saddened by the news of Daniel O’Connell’s death. He found it hard to believe that Ireland’s mighty champion would no longer rise up to defend his people. The great Liberator, who had won Catholic emancipation, fought for repeal of the Act of Union and, only a few short months ago, pleaded to Parliament on behalf of his starving people, had died in Genoa, far from his native land. It was the worst of news.
‘They say that he was going to see the Pope, Father?’
‘It would appear that he intended to travel from Genoa to the Vatican to appeal to Pope Pius for assistance.’
‘Oh, God be good to him!’ Bridey broke down. ‘To think that he stayed here under this roof and I cooked him his breakfast.’
Although he was well used to death, Father John, like Bridey, felt overcome by a great sense of loss as he thought of the man himself, sitting by his fire and chatting with him less than four years ago.
The great Daniel O’Connell was, at last, reunited in death with his wife, Mary, and much-loved young grandson. It was a sad day for Ireland and her people, for all hope was destroyed. Who would champion their cause now?
Father John resolved that he would arrange to say a special mass in the morning for the remarkable leader.
‘The best of men taken from us.’ Bridey continued to sob. ‘For without him we are lost!’
The reaction to the devastating news was the same everywhere. In every street, lane and cottage in Skibbereen, the people were shocked to hear of the Liberator’s death.
The following morning the townspeople crowded into St Patrick’s Cathedral and prayed fervently for Daniel O’Connell. They mourned the loss of Ireland’s great leader, giving thanks for his long life and his deep love of his country and its people.
‘We’ll not see his like again,’ murmured Tim McCarthy Downing as they gazed across the river and up towards Curragh Hill where the great man had spoken to them all.
A week later, Father John heard that O’Connell’s last wish had been for his soul to go to God, his body to be returned to his beloved Ireland for burial, but that his heart be removed and sent in an urn to the Pope in Rome.
He smiled, thinking of O’Connell’s huge funeral, one last great massive Monster Meeting to be held in Dublin to welcome their great hero home to his native land.