If you ever go across the sea to Ireland and ask the people of West Cork where Millstreet is, they will tell you it’s in North Cork. The people in North Cork will tell you it’s in West Cork. Some humorists will tell you it’s in East Kerry. The truth of course, Millstreet is a small country town in North-West Cork close to the Kerry border. It’s origin dates back to antiquity. If you ever go there visit the graveyard!
The Millstreet Graveyard
All stones marked to speak
in time will not.
I have seen the work of process,
the normal course will run.
The work will be done on the stone
as it is done on the flesh.
These now nearly speechless stones,
worn almost bare of mark,
leaning, bent askew,
whispering of love and care,
or, at least,
the semblance of such feelings,
these will fail, break and fall,
and not by human hand.
All will fall.
Those placed in vanity,
those placed in grief,
none survive.
All stones marked to speak
in time will not.by Michael Roche, Jr.
Our poem this week is from Michael J. Roche Jnr. of Rensselaer, in upstate New York. Michael can trace his roots back to West Cork, where he likes to visit from time to time.
Michael has written quite a number of poems and is currently compiling a book.
Hi Millstreet,
I am looking for any information on my great grandfather John T. Egan (born 1807). He migrated to London, England and married Elizabeth C. (Egan) who was 34 years younger than he. She was from Southwark, London, England. If any one has any information or can suggest places in or around Millstreet to look, I am coming over to County Cork in September to research. Many thanks, Glenn Egan
I am looking for a grave stone for a Jeremiah Foley, born in Islandbrack in 1827 and died in 1872. Family folklore says he was shot and killed on a bridge. The death may have been in Islandbrack or near by. His wife Julia Loughnan then went to America with her son John around 1901. They settled i Pocatello, Idaho.