Memory of Ledwidge recalled in Enniskillen

Members of the Francis Ledwidge Museum Committee along with Slane residents followed in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth and President Higgins when they “crossed the street” between St Macartin’s Church of Ireland Cathedral and St Michael’s Catholic Church in Enniskillen for a special “split concert” to celebrate the life and work of poet Francis Ledwidge.

The cathedral is the regimental chapel of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Ledwidge’s regiment in the First World War and the Dean of Clogher Kenny Hall and Monsignor Peter O’Reilly had a special welcome for the Slane visitors led by Chairperson Rosemary Yore. The concert was in two parts starting in St Macartin’s and then moving at the interval across the street to St Michael’s.

The concert opened with a section entitled “Growing up in Slane” and included the recitation of “Spring”, “Home”, and “Behind the closed eye” by Frances Mulley, a supporter of the Ledwidge Committee, and Bell Wysner, folklowed by “Frank as a young man” by Seamus Mac Annaidh and Marcus Crawford. “Down by the sally gardens” and “Oft in the stilly night” were performed by Lauren Coulter and Matthew Murphy.

A section entitled “Joining up” was performed by Mark Scott and Marcus Crawford while the Cornet Voluntary “July 31st” was delivered by Jason McAuley.

Monsignor O’Reilly read letters from Fr Devas, who gave Holy Communion to Francis on the morning of the day he died. Fr Devas had written the sad news of Ledwidge’s death to his mother at home in Slane.

At St Michael’s, a section entitled “The Conyngham Arms” was perfoermed, with contributions by Pat McManus (fiddle, The Blackbird), Bobby Forrest (“To one who comes now and then”), Lauren Coulter and Matthew Murphy (A Blackbird Sings), and Frances Mulley (A Little Boy in the Morning).

“The Ships of Arcady” was performed by Lauren Coulter and Matthew Murphy and Seamus Mac Annaidh delivered “Thomas McDonagh” and “O’Connell Street”. Mark Scott recited “A Soldier’s Grave”. There were also performances by Jenny Brien, Adrian Dunbar and Matthew Murphy.