PATRICK Mongy, "Janeville", Slane, died on June 10th. He was 84, and had been ill for some months.
He was the driving force behind the Francis Ledwidge Society, and was largely responsible for the present Francis Ledwidge Museum. With his committee, he worked hard to purchase the Ledwidge family cottage, restore it, and - most important - raise the money for its purchase and restoration. The present museum will always be a monument not only to Ledwidge, but to Paddy Mongy also.
Some idea of his popularity and of how much he was loved could be gained from the size of the large crowds who attended his removal on June 12th, and funeral to Hill of Slane Cemetery on June 13th. A guard of honour from the Francis Ledwidge Society attended on the lath and on the 13th a guard of honour of his old comrades in the Emergency LDF was provided.
Paddy Mongy is with his hero now, away from all earthly pain and care. Peace to his ashes. Humour to his memory.
He shall not hear the hittern cry
In the wild sky, where he is lain,
Nor voices of the sweeter hirds
Above the wading of the rain.
Nor shall he know when loud
March blows
Thro slanting snows her fanfare shrill,
Blowing to flame the golden cup
Of many an upset daffodil.
And when the Dark Cow leaves the moor,
And pastures poor with greedy weeds
Perhaps he'll hear her low at morn
Lifting her horn in pleasant meads".