‘Not all history is happy but it’s our history nonetheless’
A committee has been formed to approach Cavan County Council with a view to progressing plans for a “fitting” public memorial to the 36 victims of the 1943 Poor Clares’ orphanage fire ahead of the 80th anniversary of the tragedy next year.
A public meeting, aimed at reinvigorating a campaign that once produced a petition of close to 5,500 signatures, was held at the Bridge Street community resource centre last Monday night, April 4.
From the floor, the “absence” of those who tragically lost their lives in the history of Cavan was lamented.
Sarah McKenna Dunne, a playwright working on an immersive audio walk-through of the former orphanage site just off Cavan Town’s Main Street, said she was shocked to find little or “nothing” about the tragedy when visiting the County Museum in Ballyjamesduff as part of her research.
She hopes to have her dramatisation of the site’s history ready in time for the Cavan Arts Festival in May.
“There is an absence of history here in Cavan,” stated Ms McKenna Dunne regarding wider acknowledgement of what occurred, as remembering the children and one adult who died.
She recommended an “interactive” memorial.
“As adults, it will appear reflective but, for children, they’re innocent of the history.”
Sculptor Marie Smith agreed. She feels that there has always been a “very hush, hush feeling about the whole thing”, and added that, when it came to locating a memorial, she felt the former orphanage site was no longer appropriate. “As a building, it has moved on. There are different things happening there now.”
Aaron Dowd, a school teacher, said he was “gobsmacked” as a teenager to only then learn of the fire. Aside from a 1985 book by Mavis Arnold and Heather Laskey, and the tribunal documents, he said there was “little” other documentary evidence available. “Not all history is happy, but it’s our history nonetheless.”
While all felt there should be “no objection” to a fitting memorial being erected, the potential for some “push back” against the idea was a reality they would have to face.
Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith described the public meeting as both “positive” and “constructive”.
He noted too that “public opinion will have to drive” the campaign forward.
The TD was one of more than half a dozen public representatives who either attended or sent apologies. Those present included Sinn Féin’s Pauline Tully, and councillors John Paul Feeley, Patricia Walsh (FF), and Peter McVitty (FG).
All were unanimous in their support for erecting a “fitting” memorial in tribute to those who love their lives. With less than 12 months to the 80th anniversary, the politicians recommended that the committee start by speaking with council engineers and the Cavan Arts Office to formulate a proposal, which could then be pitched to the public for broader agreement.
It was also suggested too that a GoFundMe campaign be launched to assist in financing the memorial.