Cathal and Cllr Elaine McGinty with Martina Reddin and Cllr Paddy Meade.

Ledwidge anniversary hears appeal to save poet’s family home

A RENEWED appeal for funds to help preserve the family home of the poet Francis Ledwidge was made on Saturday on the 104th anniversary of his death.

The chairperson of the Francis Ledwidge Museum committee, Terry Wogan said that while the committee was grateful for donations received in response to a recent appeal, much more money was needed to help combat dampness and other problems affecting the structure of the museum at Janeville, Slane.

At a ceremony commemorating the poet at the museum and attended by Laytown Bettystown Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr Elaine McGinty and local Cllr Paddy Meade, Mr Wogan said it had been a difficult year for the museum because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, they were now glad to be up and running again and welcoming visitors back to the museum which contains artefacts associated with the poet.

Mr Wogan said: “I am struck as we stand here in the peace and tranquillity of the garden with Stanley Hill in the background that Francis Ledwidge found himself in very different green fields of France and Belgium during the great War and paid the ultimate sacrifice when losing his life in the Battle of Ypres on 21st July 1917.The contrast in surroundings simply could not be greater”.

The last year has been a difficult one for the museum. At the same time the committee has been encouraged by the steady flow of visitors since the museum re-opened in May. The support of the public for the preservation of the museum was very encouraging but the committee would encourage more offers of support and donations to allow the museum carry out the works to preserve the museum for future generations. He also thanked the Arts Section of Meath County Council for its support for Ledwidge Day.

Cllr McGinty said she was delighted to be present to see at first hand the issues facing the committee in keeping the museum going. “In the last 18 months we have been deprived of cultural nourishment and think it is vitally important that we recognise the particular hardships that our arts and culture sectors continue to experience as the pandemic evolves.

“I can’t confess to being a knowledgeable expert on Francis Ledwidge but it struck me when reading about how he was called the ‘Poet of the Blackbird’ that while we were all rediscovering the rhythms of nature during lockdown Francis Ledwidge was putting written expression to this a century ago.

“Our past is where we came from and the work you do here in keeping his memory and works alive is so important in maintaining the rich cultural fabric of our county and indeed country”.

Music at the event was provided by violinist Paddy Reilly, a commemorative wreath was laid by museum President Jimmy McComeskey and a minute’s silence was observed.

The following recited poems by the poet – Margaret O’Farrell (Stanley Hill and Little Boy in the Morning); James Doherty (June); Rosemary Yore (At a Poet’s Grave); Paul Murphy (My Mother); Letter from Ledwidge to Katherine Tynan read by Rachel O’Malley with musical accompaniment by Mary Clarke.