Sir, - Aengus O Snodaigh (July 22nd) need not worry about busparking at the new National Museum. No Irish patriots were respectfully interred in dug graves in the good soil at the east end of the Esplanade right outside the barrack gate. In 1798 the western end of that ground tapered away into mud and river silt, upon which the rebel dead were dumped and covered over.
The river, at this point, had not yet been contained. The quay was not there and the flow followed a deep convex bend to the north coming much closer to Benburb Street-Parkgate Street. This is clearly seen on the 1837 Ordnance sheet No 18. The Liffey was subsequently walled within its present straight line and the in-fill developed into the quay now named for Theobald Wolfe Tone. It may well cover his brother's grave.
Theobald died within 300 metres of this point, in the Provost Marshalry. This is marked on the same map. It is now the NCO's mess in Arbour Hill - Bricin's Hospital. The Kingsbridge end of the present Esplanade terminates in a detached triangle upon which the British mounted a trophy of captured cannon.
I had a small part in their removal to the flagbase in Collins Barracks. Surely this is the place for Aengus O Snodaigh and his 1798 committee to raise a fine memorial. - Yours, etc.,
Maurice F. deCogan (Comdt ret),
Bray, Co Wicklow.