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.”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.oldboreen | Dec 19, 2010, 02:09 PM EST
MY favourite epitaph-'Was that it?'
Mayosligo | Dec 18, 2010, 12:50 PM EST
Intriging! My Great Great grand uncle, Bryan Byrne born 1800 in Ireland, has a stone in the Irish section of the Vincennes Indiana Mt Calvary Cemetery. He died in 1865. No other info is available after much searching. I visit his stone frequently and ask him to enlighten me about his life. So far nothing.There are hundreds of Irish buried here.
greenferrett101 | Dec 16, 2010, 02:57 PM EST
Number 2 is not that funny. More sad
corkyone | Dec 16, 2010, 12:43 PM EST
Great!
norinalundy | Dec 16, 2010, 11:39 AM EST
This is funny...I always told my son, that when I die, there will not be any information about my date of birth, etc. It would read, "Matthew, you are 100% responsible for all you do in life", Mom
PolinDeB | Dec 16, 2010, 12:36 AM EST
Ah we miss the characters.. Hesh McCormack - oft lost election candidate for Laois-Offaly. He would "shoe the footless" and "hitch a lift up to the Dail with Oliver J (FG TD) if he won"
PolinDeB | Dec 15, 2010, 08:47 PM EST
Ah, we all came in the same way and we all go the same way. Birth and death, the great equalizers.
whitebirtch | Dec 15, 2010, 07:25 PM EST
I saw one that read,"Here lies the body of Jonathan Blake- who stepped on the gas insteadd of the brake" Calvery Cemetary, Queens N. Y. USA
mhichil | Dec 15, 2010, 03:43 PM EST
drive carefully!
tanseyj | Dec 15, 2010, 03:00 PM EST
Previously...Here Lies Lester Moore Two Shots From a Forty-Four No Less, No Moore.......Boot Hill, Tombstone, Arizona
JerryLynch | Dec 15, 2010, 12:43 PM EST
The comedian, ("I don't get no respect")Rodney Dangerfield has carved on his tombstone, "There goes the neighborhood."
cjnoonan | Dec 15, 2010, 12:40 PM EST
funy!
mcdolan | Dec 15, 2010, 12:37 PM EST
Had a good chuckle!
mcdolan | Dec 15, 2010, 11:50 AM EST
Love this, I'll have to find the book! Amazon here I come!
Schenck2 | Dec 15, 2010, 11:46 AM EST
My father's cousin had the "I told you I was ill" put on her stone in IL back in the "90s. His other cousin thought it delightful. Have to see her stone as I wonder what she had put on it. Must be an "Irish thing" to really enjoy leaving and reading interesting gravestones.
haikued2 | Dec 15, 2010, 10:47 AM EST
I love these. In the Union Cemetery, Richboro, PA, USA, there is a gravestone that simply says: Better Here Than Philadelphia. Humor transcends death, fortunately. If we can't look death in the face and simply say "Bleep you, I have lived and enjoyed every minute, well most, so give it your best shot", then we may have missed the meaning of life. Love the article.
katieusau2fan | Dec 15, 2010, 10:45 AM EST
Love this, shared it on Facebook :)
dessieglynn | Dec 15, 2010, 09:44 AM EST
In Glasnevin cemetery Dublin is one who shall be nameless: Where ere ye be let wind be free for it was a fart that killed poor me.
MAYOLAD | Dec 15, 2010, 09:40 AM EST
Here Lies Lester Moore Two Shots From a Forty-Four No Less, No Moore.......
hanknichols | Dec 15, 2010, 09:38 AM EST
Very amusing and full of Irish wit.
antoman | Dec 15, 2010, 09:32 AM EST
As you are now I once was.As I am now soon you will be.