{"id":1745,"date":"2014-08-15T09:10:43","date_gmt":"2014-08-15T09:10:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kildare.ie\/ehistory\/?p=1745"},"modified":"2014-08-15T09:10:43","modified_gmt":"2014-08-15T09:10:43","slug":"the-memory-of-teresa-brayton-lives-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/the-memory-of-teresa-brayton-lives-on\/","title":{"rendered":"THE MEMORY OF TERESA BRAYTON LIVES ON"},"content":{"rendered":"

LEINSTER LEADER<\/em> OCTOBER 10 1959<\/b><\/p>\n

The Memory of Teresa Brayton Lives on<\/b><\/p>\n

On Sunday week, October 18th, the President, Mr. De Valera, will unveil a memorial over the grave of Teresa Brayton, in Cloncurry Cemetery, near Kilcock. It will be a fitting tribute to a women whose entire life was dedicated to the service of her country, and who expressed in poetry a deep and intense love for Ireland.<\/p>\n

She sang of simple things \u2026 of Angelus bells chiming out as the sun goes down, of Christmas morning dawning over the hill of Allen, of kindly priests and people, of the dancing streams, thatched cottages and rambling boreens of her beloved Kildare,<\/p>\n

She sang, too of Ireland\u2019s heroes of the past and of her own stirring times of the countless exiles who earned for their homeland, and of the passionate love for freedom that burned in the hearts of true Irishmen at home and abroad<\/p>\n

Destined herself to be an exile for most of her life, she helped to fan the flame of freedom in the hearts of thousands of Irishmen and women in the United States.<\/p>\n

A REMARKABLE WOMEN <\/b><\/p>\n

Born Teresa Boylan, in Kilbrook, near Enfield and Kilcock, on July 1st, 1886, she belonged to a family with a tradition of nationality that went back to 1798. Her father was Hugh Boylan and her mother Elizabeth Downs.<\/p>\n

She had two brothers and three sisters, and received her education at Newtown N.S. where one of her sisters was a teacher. Later Teresa assisted her as a monitor. She showed an early aptitude for writing poetry and to the delight of her parents won a prize of a guinea for a poem published when she was she was twelve.<\/p>\n

After her father\u2019s death she went to the United States. She worked in Boston, Chicago and New York. She settled in New York where she took an active part in Irish affairs and wrote most of her poetry. Some of her poems attracted attention when they were published in the Irish World and she became a contributor to the San Francisco Monitor, the Syracuse Sun, New York Monitor and the Rosary Magazine.<\/p>\n

Her first book of poems was published by Messrs. H.J. Kennedy and Son, New York in 1913. Entitled \u201cSongs of the Dawn\u201d, it contained her well known poem. \u201cThe Old Bog Road\u201d, the music for which was written by Mrs. M. K. O\u2019Farrelly, a member of the King family, Rochfordbridge.<\/p>\n

Her second book of poems, called \u201cThe Flame of Ireland\u201d, was published in 1926 by The Irish Book Shop, Lexington Avenue, New York.\u00a0 Her spirited verses had a remarkable effect on Irish people throughout the world and played no small part in kindling the flame of nationalism at a time when Irishmen at home were preparing to make the supreme sacrifice for freedom.<\/p>\n

Years later, when she was leaving America in 1931, she was presented with a book of testimonial letters from friends in all parts of the States, and a fund of dollars. This book is still in the possession of her family.<\/p>\n

Her surviving relatives are Messrs. Hugh and Leo Boylan, Kilbrook: James, Frances and Joseph Flanagan. Kilcock, nephews and nieces, Mrs. M. Lynch, Mullingar and Miss Betty Flanagan Kilcock. Her Husband, a French-Canadian died before she returned to Ireland.<\/p>\n

SPARKLING INTELLIGENCE<\/b><\/p>\n

After her return, she lived for some years, with her sister in Bray, and she then moved to Waterloo Avenue, North Strand. She was there at the time of the bombing of the North Strand in 1941.<\/p>\n

This is a description of her then:\u00a0 \u201cShe was small, dressed in black, and her hair was snow white. Reserved in manner, she would talk on anything but herself and her career. Her eyes were large and showed a sparkle intelligence, her mouth was firm but humorous.\u201d<\/p>\n

She returned to her home in Kilbrook shortly after the bombing, and died two years later on August 19th 1943. She died in the room in which she was born, and while her old home is long since vanished in ruins her nephews, the Boylans, live in Kilbrook the townland of her birth and the scene of her best-loved poem \u201cThe Old Bog Road.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is of interest to record that she spent a short time in the Edenderry Hospital before her death, and while there became a great friend of the late Padraig O\u2019Kennedy, \u201cLeinster Leader\u201d staff reporter.<\/p>\n

By unusual co-incidence, Mr O\u2019Kennedy was able to show her something that linked to a member of this family. It was a copy of her \u201cOld Bog Road\u201d set to music, and which had been autographed by her about 1925 when she was in the U.S.A. She had sent it to Mr. O\u2019Kennedy\u2019s eldest son and on it had written: \u201cTo the boy who sings the \u201cOld Bog Road\u201d so sweetly.\u201d<\/p>\n

The occasion to which Teresa Brayton referred was a farewell party to Mr Charles Dillon, Edenderry, who emigrated to New York. At the party\u2019s closing Mr. O\u2019Kennedy\u2019s son, Philip sang \u201cThe Old Bog Road\u201d Years later when Mr. Dillon met Teresa Brayton, he had her autograph a copy of her song, and sent it to his friend in Edenderry.<\/p>\n

The memorial to Teresa Brayton is being erected by a committee set up by Enfield Guild of Muintir na Tire. The project was inspired by the guilds vice-chairman, Mr. Padraig McQuillian\u00a0 Kilshanroe, an insurance official.<\/p>\n

It is Celtic Cross 7 and a half ft high, with a limestone kerb and cement surround. An Irish inscription, written by Mr. Criodan O\u2019Higgins, son of the poet , Brian O\u2019Higgins, may be translated as follows – \u201cIn loving memory of Teresa Brayton, poetess patriot, who died 19th August,1943. On the Right Hand of God may she be.\u201d<\/p>\n

FOREGIN SUBSCRPITIONS <\/b><\/p>\n

The memorial was built by Messrs. Walsh and sons, Carlow. Subscriptions towards the construction and erection have been received from friends of the poetess in the U.S. Britain and Ireland. One of the largest subscribers to the fund is Mr. M. Hilliard, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, native of Navan, County Meath, Mr. Turlough Cott, the well-known Kilcock businessman, Mr. W. Norton, T.D., Mr. P. Dooley, T.D., and Senator Michael Prendergast, native of Engfield, are also among the subscribers.<\/p>\n

Another memorial to the memory of this great Kildare women is the erection of a plaque by Bord Failte, at the request of the committee in charge of the Cloncurry Memorial. It is a sign – \u201cThe Old Bog Road\u201d- and it will be erected at the entrance to the road that made Teresa Brayton\u2019s name a benediction in the hearts of every Irish exile.<\/p>\n

Finally let us conclude this brief tribute by quoting from a poem written by Teresa Brayton when she was 20. It commemorated the death of a neighbor which took place in Kilbrook at the age of 20. It may fittingly be applied to-day to the women who wrote them in sorrow fifty-three years ago.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cYou have left us alone in sorrow, and we mourn you now in vain.<\/p>\n

For the dead can n\u2019er return, to the dwellings of earth again.<\/p>\n

\u00a0But better the life you\u2019ve entered in the regions above we know.<\/p>\n

Through death is darkened portal, and hearts are broken below.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cTHE OLD BOG ROAD\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

My feet are here on Broadway this blessed harvest morn.<\/p>\n

But O\u2019 the ache that\u2019s in them for the sod where I was born:<\/p>\n

My weary hands are blistered from toil in cold and heat.<\/p>\n

And \u2018tis O\u2019, to swing a scythe today through fields of Irish wheat.<\/p>\n

Had I my choice to journey back or own a king\u2019s abode<\/p>\n

\u2018Tis soon I\u2019d see the hawthorn tree by the old bog road.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

When I was young and innocent my mind was ill at ease<\/p>\n

Through dreamin\u2019 of America and gold beyant the seas.<\/p>\n

Ouh sorrow take their money but \u2018tis hard to get that same<\/p>\n

And what\u2019s the whole world to a man when no one speaks his name<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve had my day and here I am with buildin\u2019 bricks for load.<\/p>\n

A long three thousand miles away from the old bog road.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

My mother died last springtime when Ireland\u2019s fields were green.<\/p>\n

The neighbours said her wakin\u2019 was the finest ever seen<\/p>\n

There were snowdrops and primroses piled up around her bed<\/p>\n

And Ferns Church was crowded when her funeral Mass said<\/p>\n

And here was I on Broadway with buildin\u2019 bricks for load<\/p>\n

When they carried out her coffin from the old bog road.<\/p>\n

There was a dacent girl at home who used to walk with me<\/p>\n

Her eyes were soft and sorrowful like moonbeams on the sea<\/p>\n

Her name was Mary Dwyer \u2013 but that is long ago,<\/p>\n

And the ways of god are wiser than the things a man may know<\/p>\n

She died the year I left her, but buildin\u2019 bricks for load<\/p>\n

I\u2019d best forget the times we met on the old bog road.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Och, life\u2019s a weary puzzle, past findin\u2019 out by man,<\/p>\n

I take the day for what it\u2019s worth and do the best I can<\/p>\n

Since no one cares a rush for me what need to make a moan<\/p>\n

I go my way and draw my pay and smoke my pipe alone<\/p>\n

Each human must know its grief though bitter be the load<\/p>\n

So God be with old Ireland and the old bog road.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

From Teresa Brayton\u2019s first book of poems published by P.J. Kennedy and Son, New York, 1913: Songs of the Dawn and Irish Ditties.<\/p>\n

Treasured 1916 Relic<\/b><\/p>\n

A\u00a0portion of the flagstaff of the Republican flag which flew over the G.P.O., Dublin, during the 1916 Rising was Teresa Brayton\u2019s most treasured possession. Countess Markievicz presented it to her. Mrs. Brayton was instrumental in gathering funds for the Rising while in America. She knew many of the Irish leaders personally.<\/p>\n

Secretary of the Memorial Committee of five is Miss Margaret Kearney. Others are Messrs, Liam Corrigan, Michl. Kearney, Padraig McQuillan and Thomas Walsh.<\/p>\n

Re-typed by Lynn Potts, June 2014<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

LEINSTER LEADER OCTOBER 10 1959 The Memory of Teresa Brayton Lives on On Sunday week, October 18th, the President, Mr. De Valera, will unveil a memorial over the grave of Teresa Brayton, in Cloncurry Cemetery, near Kilcock. It will be a fitting tribute to a women whose entire life was dedicated to the service of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1745","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-newspaper-articles"],"blocksy_meta":[],"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"author_info":{"display_name":"Kildare Local Studies","author_link":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/author\/localstudies\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1745","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1745"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1745\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1745"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1745"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1745"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}