A request from America: Clay from Mayo village of Straide

by Auld Stock

GENUINE patriots love their native land no matter where they live.

This is especially true of Irish people no matter what part of the world in which they find themselves.

I know a Castlebar man who has worked in Tasmania, Australia, for many years. Some time ago he came across a monument in Tasmania which carried the following inscription: “Erected to the memory of Patrick Fahey, a proud son of Cong, County Mayo, Ireland.”

Some years ago a mortician in Olahoma, USA, wrote to Mayo Committee of Agriculture asking that body to send a cupful of earth from Straide, County Mayo. The American firm indicated they were acting on behalf of a lady named Florence Murphy, a Mayo exile.

Apparently her grandfather was an ardent admirer of Michael Davitt who was born in Straide

“It is my earnest wish the clay be enclosed in my coffin when I am laid to rest,” the lady told the Oklahoma morticians.

One member of the Agricultural Committee, Patrick Regan, said the body could set dangerous precedent if they agreed to the unusual request. However, Michael Fadden, Ballyheane, Castlebar, another member of the committee, had no difficulty in agreeing to Florence Murphy’s request.

“If it keeps the American lady happy, the clay should be immediately sent to the United States,” he stated.

That was the end of the discussion and the clay from the historic village of Straide was winging its way to the US within a few days.

Florence Murphy’s down to earth wish was unanimously granted by the committee members.

And rightly so.