The Fitzgibbon Monument near Castleconnell in Limerick

By Derek Ryan

I'm sure many of ye have passed this monument near the Castleconnell exit off of the M7 at Limerick (Junction 27).

I have passed it many times and finally got a chance to spot and have a look at it. It has been moved to make way for the nearby motorway and re-erected here.

Some might say that the monument could have removed altogether as the Fitzgibbons record as landlords were mixed to say the least.

They had the title of Earls of Clare, the 1st Earl John Fitzgibbon was anti-Catholic and pro the Act of Union.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-FitzGibbon-1st-earl-of-Clare

It was the great grandson of the 1st Earl that is commemorated here.

From the roadside information board "Lady Louisa Fitzgibbon and her first husband, Gerald Dillon, had this arch erected in 1875 in memory of their eldest son, Charles Richard George (1849-70), who died of blood poisoning aged 20. It was positioned over a road side pump originally installed by Louisa's uncle, John (2nd Earl of Clare).

Mungret

The memorial is a gabled, gothic arch of dressed limestone. Above the white marble memorial stone is the Fitzgibbon coat of arms and motto, 'NIL ADMIRARI' meaning 'to be astonished at nothing'. The arch was once surrounded by iron railings and was a well-known landmark on the Limerick to Nenagh road

Raheen

The pump continued in use until at least the 196os. In 2001 Limerick County Council dismantled the memorial to make way for the Limerick Southern Ring Road. It was restored in 2011 and re-built here in Richhill

The memorial prior to its removal in 2001. Neglected for many years, the column stones had cracked, the lead lettering had largely fallen out and the trough was buried"

Sarah McCutcheon

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