WordSmith: My encounter with a ghost in Annageliff graveyard
This week, Gerard Smith is compelled to write about a spirit in his popular WordSmith column...
The other week I had quite a few conversations about ghosts; and then come the weekend, I saw one. And I wasn’t alone; I have others who will bear witness to my sighting of the spirit. But I’ll come back to that experience. First, those conversations.
They occurred amongst a group of friends, each of us recounting unexplained ethereal phenomena from our past. We decided there was no reason to try and explain our spectral encounters. Instead, we should simply live with the knowledge they happened and take comfort in the inexplicable. And so, it was with spirits on my mind that on a fine Saturday morning I made my way to a graveyard.
Walking up a steep incline, I noted leaves falling from the trees and fluttering in a breeze I couldn’t feel, for the morning was heavy with a still and sweaty humidity. I walked with the living and wondered if they, like me, thought leaves falling odd for August.
We met a calm gentleman who explained with knowing surety, “The birch tree is shedding early.” The dry weather has facilitated the early fall from this tree. The gentle flight of leaves seemed like spirits guiding us upwards to the burial ground: Annageliff Graveyard, in Cavan.
In the graveyard, people began to gather. A friend from the McCabe clan called out to me, “Hello Gerard.” Her waving welcome echoed around the sacred space, literally lifting the spirits and creating a cheerful atmosphere of warmth and welcome for ‘The gathering of the clans’.
The gathering at the graveyard was organised by Cavan Tidy Towns, who were responsible for the respectful reclamation and identification of the burial sites. The event was part of National Heritage week; and it was opened with a splendid speech by the young lad, Seanie.
Seanie was followed by the Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council; who in turn was followed by a lady whose forbears rest in Annageliff. Then, there came story. I believe strongly in the power of story. We learn through stories, they influence and inspire us, they convey the history and culture that connects us.
And so it was that Seanchaí, Daniel Downey brought the Gaelic Irish Soldier, Owen Roe O’Neill, to life through his immersive story-telling. As Daniel told of Owen Roe’s demise, he eloquently conveyed how he remains with us, “But, his blood, his spirit remains in us, remains in the old clans, remains in the very soil of Ireland, remains in the very soil of the county he died in…”
As Daniel spoke I became aware of a presence. A figure stood between two giant yew trees, his head bowed, heavy in thought. As the Seanchaí concluded, the figure emerged and seemed to grow in stature. Then, with his head held high and outstretched arms he announced in a commanding voice brimming with confidence, “I come to you today in spirit.”
It was the ghost of Owen Roe O’Neill. The Seanchaí had roused the spirit of the great leader and his spectre gave a rousing rendition of his call to arms. As Owen Roe’s spirit began to ebb away, the actor who played him, name-checked his namesake who nestles in Annageliff – Michael Olwill.
Thus, the ghost we witnessed was theatre. But such was the power of Michael’s performance, I suspended my belief and saw the spirit of Owen Roe O’Neill delivering his commanding oration in the mid-1640s.
It was afterwards, while roaming and stopping to read names of the deceased, when I saw a true and special spirit. The graveyard is on high ground, and standing alone on its peak I looked down on the gathering people. The sound of their voices mingled with a gentle rustle of leaves and the gentle melodies from the musicians: Finbar-Moore-Music. I followed the melodious sound towards refreshment and to socialise. But I was stopped by the sight of something, and I said to myself aloud, “This spirit is the real-deal?”
I stood to watch the spirit gently meander through the chattering-gathering of people. The spirit was unseen by them, but most definitely felt by all. For the spirit was community. And on that Saturday afternoon, Annageliff Graveyard became alive with the positive power of the living connection that is Community-Spirit.
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