Photographed by Ton Kinsbergen
Today friends, relatives, and colleagues gathered for a moving service as the Daly clan said a final goodbye to the third generation of the Daly family. Alfreda Daly is from the third generation of people who have been living in Montserrat after the Daly family migrated from Ireland to Montserrat. As a member of the fifth generation I am aware that I am watching history unfold and elders are buried and infants are born. As we stand as members of succeeding generations we owe it to both our descendants and our ancestors to set aside this sadness and instead celebrate all that she was, did and stood for. As I recall the only thing that mattered to those I have met from the second and third generation – was family. As we stand in the shadow of their generation I pray that we carry the hopes and ambitions of a family that would not settle for less than they did.
Pink Rose fragrances upon afternoon air
Her life diligently seamed and greatly dear
Passion seen in eyes of children’s plans
Her smile in the faces of her grands and great-grands
Her kindness extracted in those she held near
Now a free spirit in still spring air
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Siblings were loved – remembered days of her youth
Discipline and dedication her unswerving truth
From St. John’s to brick towers in boroughs of London
Familiar voices sodden in windows a cherished one
From Hoxton to Broomfield Street train sounds crawl in air
Mild End –journey’s end- the familiar now draw near.
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Time still – a labyrinth recollections beguile
Playful jeers of her fists now commands a smile
Her expressions shone clear when sweetly sings
Firm with wit and affection – gifts she would bring
Under the lens in her silvery bright gleam
Moment stamped precious – held forever esteemed.
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Memories are not like some fading star dust
In the silence of changes we all adjust
As you mourn the village of kinship endure
Your smile we do see as no longer before
Do not loiter with tears – as I am not gone
I live in the unity of our families’ home.
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Poem Written by Brenda L. McCartney
Illustration from Van A. Dyer
When one thinks of heritage words that come to mind are: inheritance, birthright, custom or tradition. Today our national holiday is a day that we Montserratians cannot help but think of our Irish heritage which dates back to 1630; when the Irish Catholics came from nearby St. Kitts to colonize Montserrat. Other Irish settlers came directly from Ireland and Virgina, USA.
In terms of our heritage we have struggled. In 1768 the slaves tried to free themselves and met with tremendous adversity. The slaves’ efforts to gain freedom will not be forgotten and the spirit of our ancestors still prevails in all Montserratians and as such is the essence and the foundation of our celebration. The parallel is that we the people of Montserrat have today come to terms with the past; as we now struggle with a virulent volcano.
Traditions of our Irish past were preserved in many ways, for example:
- Places/villages – such as St. Patrick’s, Rileys Corkhill, Kinsale, Farrells, Banks, Sweeney’s, Estates; Gages Estate, Farrell’s
- Estates – Galways, Blakes.
- Names of mountains – Reids Hill, Hodges Hill
- Shorelines – Carrs Bay, Bransby Point, Trant’s Bay
- Surnames – Daly, Galaway, Sweeny, Harris, OBrien, Allen, Ryan, Roach, Tuitt, Osborne
- Food – our national dish; goat water.
- Names of folk songs
- In our distinctive passport stamp – the shamrock.
- In our social graces; for example we still never pass someone on the street without speaking to them.
Today we will make a special effort to literally connect the past to the present by serving Irish dishes: stew yard fowl, duckna, salt fish and johnny bakes, mackerel, goat water, pig feet souse, cassava, stewed pigeon peas and dumplings. We will be visiting homes, writing poetry, reconstructing slave huts as we dance with “an infectious syncopating rhythm.” We will be drinking bush tea, wearing our National Dress, exhibiting local arts and crafts, engaging in folk rituals and singing with a spirit of self-determination and celebrating our freedoms. St. Patrick’s Day would not be completed without the ritual dances of the Masquarades. “The Masquarades are the richest expression of African folk art.” Today we honor the past in a new idea is being considered, to dedicate this time of year to heroes and Montserratians who have done great and useful service to the country.
We can still abandon us in our hearts yet we choose to live with Montserrat in our natures. We are living, eating and drinking history every day.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
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