Nancy Smyth: Re-enacting Michael Davitt's funeral train
Radio listeners don't often hear an appeal for a coffin and a horse-drawn carriage, but that's what Nancy Smyth put out a fortnight ago, in preparation for the week ahead. She knows how difficult it is to pin down a carriage on a Saturday afternoon in Co Mayo in July - peak wedding season. She wanted it as the final flourish for a different kind of big day. As chairwoman of the Michael Davitt Memorial Association, Smyth will be spending the week ahead putting the final touches to a re-enactment of the funeral train of the father of the Land League, who died 100 years ago.
In Davitt's home village of Straide, four miles outside outside Foxford, they feel his centenary has been slightly lost in the clamour of other anniversaries. Museum guide Joe Yeomans has organised the train with the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland. It will leave Heuston Station, in Dublin, early next Saturday, arriving in Foxford around 3pm.
"With all the activities this year we feel there was nothing done to commemorate the land war and Michael Davitt," Smyth says. "The land war was so important to the foundation of the State. It brought security of home and land to people on a 32-county basis, both Protestants and Catholics, and they were then able to look ahead to more revolutionary aims. And it was all done by peaceful means."
There will be two kinds of enthusiasts involved, those who love steam trains and those who want to commemorate Davitt. "People can get on in Castlerea and Claremorris as well as at the start of the journey," says Smyth. "People can contact us if they want to stay overnight and get the train back the next day; we can recommend B&Bs." Catherine Cleary
The train leaves Dublin at 7.50am next Saturday, returning on Sunday. Full tickets cost €60 (concessions €50). Fares within Co Mayo are €18-€25 return. Contact the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, 01-2809147, www.steamtrainsireland.com. For B&Bs or other information, contact the Michael Davitt Museum on 094-9031022.