This limestone memorial is carved in the style of an obelisk but is circular in shape. It is inscribed:
A tribute of love from her children to the memory of
their mother Mrs Eliza Ahearn of the Quay, Dungarvan who died April 25th
1864, aged 57 years.
She had distributed. She hath given to the Poor. Her justice remaineth for ever and ever. Peace to her soul at God’s side to endure. Peace to the friend of his homeless and poor. Peace to her loving head fervent and pure.
The mason’s name is prominently carved beneath the
inscription: J. Collins, Waterford. Egan’s Guide to Waterford 1894
has an advert for: ‘W. Collins & Sons, John Street, Waterford. Monumental
Stone & Marble Works of Every Description’.
The Cork Examiner of 29 April 1864 carried a
report of her death:
At her residence, the Quay, Dungarvan, on Monday 25
Inst., Mrs Eliza Ahearn at the age of 57 years. Her remains were conveyed to the Parish
Church, followed by a large concourse of relatives and friends, who flocked in
vast numbers from the remotest country districts.
After the usual ceremonies…the remains were lowered
into the family vault. Mrs Eliza Ahearne
was no ordinary loss. No more shall the
widow’s suffering be alleviated by her pure and unostentatious charity; nor the
ever-flowing bounty of her hand assuage the biting pangs of poverty. The lowly and unrequited children of labour
will miss in her the steady friend and indulgent employer – for considerable
was the outlay of her capital annually on her extensive commercial premises;
and the church to which she had given a gifted and zealous minister, has lost
by her a liberal patroness.
Eliza is listed in Slater’s Commercial Directory
1846 as a coal dealer and public house owner on the quay. According to Griffith’s Valuation 1850 she had
property on the quay, Dirty Lane and in Abbeyside. In 1858 she was one of the top shareholders in
the new Dungarvan Gasworks.
Other family relatives include the Kiely and Gibbons families who are also commemorated in this grave.
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| Eliza Ahearn Monument |
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| W. Collins and Sons advertisement |