Sir, - Referring to Mr Paul Griffin's letter about Percy French (June 23rd), I would make a small correction. He arrived, very ill, from his last concert in Glasgow (January 16th, 1920) at the home of his cousin in Formby, and not his sister. His cousin, Canon Johnny Richardson, and he had been childhood friends and were at Trinity College together. Now a clergyman at St Luke's Church, Canon Richardson lived in the vicarage with his aged mother, Mary Anne (98). She was Percy's favourite aunt. Percy died there after a few days on January 24th, 1920. His cousin died nine years later and is buried in the same churchyard just inside the gate.
It would be great to have Percy brought back to Ireland, but where would we lay him to rest? In the churchyard of the ruined Elphin Cathedral with his first child (who lived only a few weeks); in Mount Jerome with his first wife Ettie (who died in childbirth); near the Mountains of Mourne he made so famous; in a remote bog in the west of Ireland where he loved to paint; in Trinity College, where he created a record for getting a Civil Engineering degree (nearly 9 years); in Co Cavan where he probably spent the best seven years of his life; near the Peppercanister Church, Dublin, where he was first married; or near the seat dedicated to him (near Patrick Kavanagh's) on the grand canal at Mespil Road, where he lived for six years up to the year 1900, when he moved to London?
Nothing remains of Percy's house in Cloonyquin, Co Roscommon. There is, however, a monument to him nearby.
How should we remember him? Well he was a man who liked simple things and would not have wanted all that fuss. From the words I saw written in the visitor's book in Glenveagh Castle, Co Donegal, where he was a frequent visitor, I quote: "Remember me is all I ask and yet if the remembrance prove a task - forget" (1909). We can keep his memory very much alive by singing his songs and reciting his poetry and monologues. Let him rest where he now lies. - Yours, etc., JOHN ROCHE,
Leixlip,
Co Kildare.