Lorrha commemorates Anzac Day in brilliant sunshine
Representatives from Australian and New Zealand embassies attend in North Tipperary
THE Lorrha Martin O’Meara VC committee commemorated Anzac Day in brilliant sunshine in the village on Monday May 25th.
Apologies were received from Australian Ambassador HE Chantelle Taylor who visited last year, with James O’Donoghue and James Hazzell representing the Australian Embassy, while Daryl Owens, representing the New Zealand Embassy, was also in attendance and who was on his first visit to Lorrha.
Also in attendance were Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council Cllr John Carroll, Cathaoirleach of Nenagh Municipal District Cllr Phyll Bugler, Rosemary Joyce, District Administrator and Cllr Michael O’Meara.
The day commenced early with refreshments in Carrig Hall followed by a visit to Lockeen Cemetery where the Hackett family are buried including Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Bernard Hackett VC. His headstone is very unique as it is in the shape of the Victoria Cross. Wreaths were laid and prayers recited by Rev. Arthur Minion.
Tony Doorley read from a recent publication about the graveyard which was written by Tony Dargan who was unable to be present. Anne Davis, however, told the gathering that Hackett was born one of ten children, on June 15th 1836 in Riverstown, close to Birr.
“Army service was in the family and he joined at 18 years old,” said Anne. ‘His regiment was one that became the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.His method of joining is interesting. He joined by 'purchase' , a practice going back to Feudal times.It cost £700 which amounts to approximately €122,000 today, so a very considerable amount of money,” she said.
“His first encounter with active service was in June of 1855 when he was dispatched to the front in the Crimea War. He distinguished himself and was awarded the 'Crimea War Medal with Clasp' for his bravery. His next time in action is where he was awarded the VC. The Indian Mutiny began in Delhi on May 10th 1857 and his regiment were dispatched there in Autumn of 1857. He fought in battles at Lucknow and he was awarded his VC for 'daring gallantry at Secundra Bagh in Lucknow' ”.
Anne continued, “he also served later in the Ashanti Wars 1873 in West Africa. He retired in 1874 and returned to Riverstown. He married Josephine Marchall of Baronne Court near Carrig in July 1874. They had no children. He was held in very high regard in the area as was testified to in newspapers after his death,” she said.
However, we learnt that while out shooting with two local men on October 4th 1880 he sustained a fatal gunshot wound while crossing a ditch and he died of his injuries the following day. “While he survived many highly dangerous military campaigns and the risk of disease during those campaigns, he died in a tragic accident,” Anne said.
Thanks were extended to the present owners of Riverstown House, Máire Ryan and Shane Neylon and their two little girls, who brought the group on a guided tour throughout the large former home of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Bernard Hackett VC. and the outbuildings. The many owners over the years have carried out renovations, including the present owners who now operate an airbnb there.
On May 1st, 1999, the Reddan family were privileged to host a reception for Governor General William Deane and his wife Helen to the original Deane homestead in Rockview, Rathcabbin which his ancestors had left almost 150 years earlier hoping to forge a better life in Australia. On this occasion, the Reddin family, Padráig, Martina, Áine and Sean were very generous with their time and extended a Céad Míle Fáilte to the guests from Australia and New Zealand.
Back in Lorrha and with a very good attendance including the senior pupils from Scoil Lua Naofa, who participated in the prayers and also who undertook a project in recent weeks on the life of Sergeant Martin O’Meara VC as part of a history project. Prayers were read, wreaths were laid and speeches took place. Billy O’Hara, a direct descendent of Martin O’Meara who travelled over from England along with members of his family, gave a brief description of the Sergeant’s life and his tragic ending.
One theme running through the message of all the speakers was, that as well as remembering all those who fought in World Wars, that we should never forget the people who are today suffering because of war in our world again and we should never forget the people from the parish who gave their young lives for peace, at home and abroad, and some, like Sergeant Martin O’Meara VC and Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Bernard Hackett VC, to name just two, who were awarded the Victoria Cross for their exceptional courage and bravery. They should always be revered and never be forgotten.