Home Page > Roots > Dead funny gravestones and farewells to remember

Dead funny gravestones and farewells to remember

JAMES O'BRIEN,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Wednesday, December 15, 2010, 6:46 AM

Updated Wednesday, December 15, 2010, 7:48 AM

Larger Text

E-mail

21 Comments

Dead funny Irish gravestone - some people just have to get the last laugh

A new book ‘Dead Funny’ traces the funniest gravestone epitaphs in Ireland. The Irish have long been known for their love of the macabre and humor, even in death.

Here are my top ten entries. The book written by Allen Foster ,a freelance writer, can be purchased at www.gillmacmillan.ie.

1. From Northern Ireland:

“Erected to the memory of JOHN PHILLIPS, accidentally shot as a mark of affection by his brother.

2. Belturbet County Cavan:

here lies John Highey, whose mother and father were drowned in their passage from America. Had they both lived they would be buried here.”

3. Belfast City Cemetery:

DUFFY: In loving memory of beloved Gerald, husband father, Died 30th November 1989 aged 65 years: I told you’s I was sick.

4. Larne County Antrim:

At the grave of a man hanged for sheep stealing:
Here lies the body of Thomas Kemp, lived by wool died by hemp

5. Belfast:

Beneath this stone lies Katherine my wife
In death my comfort, and my plague through life
Oh liberty! but soft I must not boast
She’s haunt me else , by jingo ,with her ghost

6. Dublin:

Here lies the remains of John Hall, grocer. The world is not worth a fig. I have good raisins for saying so.

7. Youghal, County Cork:

Here lies poor but honest Cecil Pratt. He was a most expert angler until death, envious of his merit threw out his line and hooked him.

8. Waterford:

Here lies the body of Anthony Reynolds, who although a miller was an honest man.”

9. County Clare:

This stone was raised to Sarah Ford, not Sarah’s virtues to record - for they’re well known to all the town. No Lord; it was raised to keep her down.”

10. Mallow, County Cork:

Here lies the body of Edmund Spenser, great great grandson of the poet Spenser, unfortunate from his cradle to his grave.”

Most Emailed on IrishCentral

Most Popular on IrishCentral

E-mail

21 Comments

See all comments

oldboreen | Dec 19, 2010, 02:09 PM EST

MY favourite epitaph-'Was that it?'

E-Mail Address:
First select a unique username:
Username:
Now choose a password:
Password:
Confirm Password:

First Name:
Last Name:
Date of Birth:
Zip:
Gender:	Male Female
Country:

Degree of Irishness:
Household Income:
Level of Education:

E-Mail:
Password:

Dead funny gravestones and farewells to remember

Most Emailed on IrishCentral

Most Popular on IrishCentral

21 Comments

Most Popular on IrishCentral.com

Connect to IrishCentral with your Facebook account

or Sign-Up directly

Welcome to IrishCentral! Please provide the following information in order to create your account

Welcome to IrishCentral! All we need is the following information and you will be part of the #1 Irish community in the US

Just one more step and you will be part of the largest Irish community in America! Tell us a little more about you to start enjoying all the features of IrishCentral.

Additional Information:

Subscribe to our newsletters:

Log into IrishCentral with your Facebook account

or sign-in directly

Welcome to IrishCentral!
Please provide the following information in order to create your account

Welcome to IrishCentral!
All we need is the following information and you will be part of the #1 Irish community in the US