Memorial event to mark 83 years since orphanage fire
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Members of the Remember the Cavan Orphanage Victims Committee - Eithe O’Hanlon, Rosemary Joziasse, Mary Rooney, Bernie Connolly, joint chairpersons Margaret Murtagh and Sean Galligan. Gerard Smith, Veronica Fay, Phyl Smith and Bernie Brady. Missing from photo Cllr Patricia Walsh and Martina Sexton.Image 2 of 2
The proposed site for the relief sculpture memorial.A short event to remember the 35 children and one adult whose lives were claimed by the St Joseph’s Orphanage fire will take place on Sunday, February 22.
This year marks 83 years since the night of the Cavan Orphanage fire on February 23, 1943.
Regarded as one of Ireland’s greatest ever tragedies and a sad chapter in Cavan Town’s history, the only commemoration for the girls and one elderly woman who died with them is their grave at Cullies Cemetery.
It is here that the ‘Remember the Cavan Orphanage Victims’ will hold a short memorial ceremony this weekend, when they will read out the names of those who lost their lives, recite some poetry and prayers.
“Anybody and everybody” is encouraged to come along to the remembrance gathering according to the joint chairperson of the group, Margaret Murtagh.
However, “as it’s going to be cold” on the cemetery hill, they plan that the ceremony will last “no more than” 15 minutes.
Proper memorial
Meanwhile plans to erect a public memorial in the town are making headway as the group have set an ambitious target to construct a relief sculpture in the courtyard area by this time next year.
The proposed area is on the wall of the one of the former convent buildings, which is now owned by Double Property Group.
Although the memorial group haven’t confirmed what will be depicted on the wall just yet, it will be something that appeals to children.
Meanwhile the group is also planning to gather people who have an interest in the story or people who have a family connection to create short video clips to raise awareness, but also to not let the story be lost.
A member of the group for almost one year now, Cootehill woman Margaret decided to get involved as the story struck a chord with her.
She is also “shocked, amazed and surprised” that there has been no public memorial so far, which is why she decided to join the group.
“I just feel passionate. It’s a shame that there is nothing there,” she says.
The memorial event will take place this Sunday (February 22) at Cullies Cemetery at 2pm.