Countess

On this day in 1927 Countess Markievicz died. She breathed her last in a public ward in Sir Patrick Dunn’s Hospital, Dublin, not the usual setting for a Countess. She had reneged upon a pampered life for a one of service to the poor of her country and then on to fight for that same country.

To read more about her remarkable life:

Countess Markievicz

Her funeral attended by thousands, was held over three days. Her body lay in repose at the Rotunda, on Parnell Square. From there crowded lined to route to Glasnevin Cemetery, to be interned alongside her friends and fellow Republicans, who had gone before her.  

It is impossible to say if Emily Weddall attended the funeral, chances were she was there in the crowd or marching with fellow members of Cumman Na mBan.

The funeral procession took place on Sunday but the burial was not until the following day, Monday as the gravediggers union forbade them to work on Sunday. The Countess’ coffin was held in a vault in the O’Connell Circle, where the founder of the cemetery, and Irish Liberator was originally buried (he was reinterred in a crypt beneath the Irish round tower) in 1869. If she were alive she may have been pleased as;

“DANIEL O’CONNELL (1775-1847) –Daniel O’Connell was a politician, Lord Mayor and human rights activist. He achieved Catholic emancipation and fought for the repeal of the Act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland.” (Glasnevin Trust)

Last Post.

The Countess was buried with almost full military honors, the only exclusion was the firing of shots over her grave. At the time such was band by the state, but she did get the all other honors due to her. As a personal touch her uniform, worn during the Rising of 1916 was buried with her.

Over the years she was joined by her friends and fellow Republicans, one by one until that generation came to an end. Emily rests nearby next to Cathal Bruagh and across from Maude Gonne. The Republican Plot is part of the Glasnevin tours, and the graveyard is one of the top Dublin tourist attractions and well worth a visit: https://www.glasnevinmuseum.ie/daily_tours/

Filmed and edited by Marcus Howard. On the 90th anniversary of Countess Constance Markievicz’s death, The 1916 Relatives Association held a special commemorative event in Glasnevin Cemetery. To watch the video;

https://youtu.be/TnaY5mT-SGI

Sources
23 July 1927 – Ballymena Weekly Telegraph – Ballymena, Antrim, Northern Ireland
http://lissadellhouse.com/countess-markievicz/
02 October 1917 – Daily Mirror – London, London, England
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClH7iRo8l6OmCYSZBzwrVbw
https://www.glasnevintrust.ie/visit-glasnevin/interactive-map/daniel-oconnell/